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The Fifth Seal Prophecy:

Revelation 6:9-11 – “When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained; and they cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’  And there was given to each of them a white robe; and they were told that they should rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also.”

The fifth seal judgment may be only three verses, however it is rich in revelation.

It is revealing what is occurring in heaven – always important.  You might also notice how it is going to build.  In the ‘War in Heaven’ we are told about the angelic war.  Here we are seeing saints under the altar, which is before the Lord.  At the 7th Trumpet God’s temple in heaven is opened.

It is revealing some Christians have already died for their faith – but there are still others to come.  “Who were to be killed” – is future tense.  Two groups are defined here.

It is also revealing this is the conclusion of the mid-point of the Tribulation – more on that later.

Souls under the altar:

Notice the phrase in Revelation 6:9 – ‘the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God, and because of the testimony’.  This same phrasing is also describing one particular group of saints in Revelation 20,  who will reign with Christ during the 1,000 years.  Revelation 20:4 reads: “who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God.”

The Word of God

“The word of God” appears in both Revelation 6:9 and in Revelation 20:4.  The two times the phrase ‘the word of God’ is used in the Book of Revelation, are when they are referring to all God’s saints under the altar who lost their lives ‘because of the word of God’.

Their Testimony

“Because of the testimony” also appears in Revelation 6:9 and in Revelation 20:4 – “I saw thrones on which were seated those who had been given authority to judge.  And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded because of their testimony for Jesus and because of the word of God.”  “The word of their testimony” is written in Revelation 12:11, making it three times their testimony is acknowledged.  This time it’s following the ‘The War in Heaven’.  And it’s still about all the saints of the ages.

This one group represents all people throughout the centuries who have given their lives for their faith in the Lord Christ Jesus, starting with John the Baptist and Stephen. 

The Great Tribulation Saints:

Fellow servants and their brethren

Next, the phrase in Revelation 6:11 – ‘their fellow servants and their brethren’ is referring to another, distinct group of saints, also written about in Revelation 20.

Revelation 20:4 – “They had not worshipped the beast or his image and had not received his mark on their foreheads or their hands.”  These are the Tribulation saints.

This second, separate group of souls in both Revelation 6:11 and 20:4 is Daniel’s Tribulation saints: Daniel 7:25 – “The saints will be handed over to him for a time, times and half a time (which means 3 1/2 years).”

They are being differentiated and given special recognition.

In Revelation 7, John is shown ‘a great multitude that no-one could count’. John asked one of the elders who they were and the elder’s reply was – Revelation 7:14 – “These are they who have come out of the great tribulation; they have washed their robes and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”  There is actually half a chapter dedicated to them.

“Their fellow servants and their brethren” are Daniel’s Tribulation saints and the 3 1/2 years are about to commence.

Revelation 14:13 – “And I heard a voice from heaven, saying, ‘Write, Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord from now on!’  ‘Yes,’ says the Spirit, ‘so that they may rest from their labours, for their deeds follow with them.’ “

This also is writing about Daniel’s Tribulation saints.  The phrase: ‘their deeds follow with them’ means there will be rewards for them.  Also, they will reign with Christ: –  Revelation 20:4 – “Then I saw thrones, and they sat on them, and judgment was given to them. … those who had not worshipped the beast or his image, and had not received the mark on their forehead and on their hand; and they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

This scene in heaven delineates the first half and the second half of the Tribulation.  It could also be considered as a warning sign, of things to come in the second half of the Tribulation. 

However, it also promises there will be a completion for that as well.  The Tribulation will be temporary – living in the Kingdom of God will be forever, for all those who call on the name of the Lord and are saved.

In the meantime, things are about to ramp up.

Joshua 1:9 – “Be strong and courageous.  Do not be terrified; do not be discouraged, for the Lord your God will be with you wherever you go.”

Deuteronomy 31:6 – “Be strong and courageous, do not be afraid or tremble at them, for the Lord your God is the one who goes with you.  He will not fail you or forsake you.”

Hebrews 13:5 – “For He Himself has said, “I will never desert you, nor will I ever forsake you.”

scripture verses only on the Fifth Seal, click on: Fifth Seal – Martyrs – Revelation 6

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