Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:9-11

Revelation 6:9 When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.

Revelation 6:10 They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

Revelation 6:11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants^[1] and their brothers^[2] should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

When Lord Jesus opening the 5^th seal John saw a group of souls under alter. As bible denoted these souls are belongs to the martyr who died for word of God and their testimonies sake.

The saints are belongs to the Old Testament martyr. Example David, from Jesus is the first example to forgive the sinners and also he thought to His disciples to forgive who persecuting them. We can see many disciples and God’s servants were forgiven the persecutors. Example Stephen,

Reason for Persecution: The Cross separates us from the world

1.      People have not known the Father nor Jesus

If we live according to the world, the world will not touch you. The world will not give and trouble to you. But if you are doing anything against it, then it will be turn against you also. Especially if you are working for the Lord, you think satan will keep quit?

John 15:18-19

“If the world hates you, you know that it hated Me before it hated you. If you were of the world, the world would love its own. Yet because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you. Remember the word that I said to you... If they persecuted Me, they will also persecute you... because they do not know Him who sent Me."

 John 16:2 They will put you out of the synagogues. Indeed, the hour is coming when whoever kills you will think he is offering service to God.

John 16:3 And they will do these things because they have not known the Father, nor me.

John 17:14

"I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

Prophecy about Persecution in Bible

Matthew 24:9

"... you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake... And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another. Then many false prophets will rise up and deceive many. And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."    

Mark 13:11-13

"Now brother will betray brother to death, and a father his child; and children will rise up against parents and cause them to be put to death. And you will be hated by all for My name’s sake. But he who endures to the end shall be saved."

Revelation 6:10 They cried out with a loud voice, "O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"

Old Testament prayers against the persecutors

Old Testament martyrs were not forgive the persecutors they will complain to God about the persecutors.

Abel the first martyr in old testament

Genesis 4:10 And the Lord said, "What have you done? The voice of your brother's blood is crying to me from the ground.

David whenever he faced troubled by his enemies He prayed to God to punish them. We can see many verses regarding this in palms

Prophet Jeremiah’s prayer

Jeremiah 17:18 - Let them be confounded that persecute me, but let not me be confounded: let them be dismayed, but let not me be dismayed: bring upon them the day of evil, and destroy them with double destruction.

Moses prayer

Deuteronomy 30:7 - And the LORD thy God will put all these curses upon thine enemies, and on them that hate thee, which persecuted thee.

But what New Testament Responses to Persecution

Matthew 5:43-45

“You have heard that it was said, ‘You shall love your neighbor and hate your enemy.’ “But I say to you, love your enemies, bless those who curse you, do good to those who hate you, and pray for those who spitefully use you and persecute you..."

If anyone persecuted in the name of Lord those are the blessed.

Matthew 5:10-12

"Blessed are those who are persecuted for righteousness’ sake, For theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you falsely for My sake. Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven...." 

In New Testament how they react when they were persecuted

Acts 5:40-42

^"They called the apostles in and had them flogged. Then they ordered them not to speak in the name of Jesus, and let them go. The apostles left... rejoicing because they had been counted worthy of suffering disgrace for the Name.  Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Christ."

Stephen

1) Stephen, the first Christian martyr Acts 7:51-60

Acts 7:60

Acts 7:60 And falling to his knees he cried out with a loud voice, "Lord, do not hold this sin against them." And when he had said this, he fell asleep.

2) James, the first of the 12 Apostles to be a martyr Acts 12:1-2

Acts 12:1 About that time Herod the king laid violent hands on some who belonged to the church.

Acts 12:2 He killed James the brother of John with the sword,

Paul’s response         

2 Thessalonians 1:3-6

^"... we ourselves boast of you among the churches of God for your patience and faith in all your persecutions and tribulations that you endure, which is manifest evidence of the righteous judgment of God, that you may be counted worthy of the kingdom of God, for which you also suffer...."

Peter’s Response

John 21:18-19

John 21:18 Truly, truly, I say to you, when you were young, you used to dress yourself and walk wherever you wanted, but when you are old, you will stretch out your hands, and another will dress you and carry you where you do not want to go."

John 21:19 (This he said to show by what kind of death he was to glorify God.) And after saying this he said to him, "Follow me."

Note: Historical tradition tells us that Peter was executed under the reign of Nero. He was crucified upside down, apparently at his own request because he did not consider himself worthy to be crucified in the same manner that the Lord was.

1 Peter 3:14-15

"But even if you should suffer for righteousness’ sake, you are blessed. “And do not be afraid of their threats, nor be troubled.” But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear."  

John’s response

1 John 3:13

"Do not marvel, my brethren, if the world hates you."  

 

Example outside from bible. Recent incident happened in India

Graham Staines and his two sons, Timothy and Phillip, were burned alive in Manoharpur village of Orissa’s Keonjhar district of India early on the morning of Jan 23, 1999. He came to India from Australia in 1965 . his wife Glades announced her forgiveness of those who had murdered her family.

Revelation 6:11 Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants^[1] and their brothers^[2] should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Here all martyrs was received the white cloth. We know that the white cloth is reward for righteous. As Jesus promised in Rev.3:5, these martyrs are received the white cloth.

Lord told to that souls still in these end of age they are more people going to be die for the word of God and for my name sake. After every thing completed, I will pour out my wrath.