Online Resource Library
Commentary Index | Return to PrayerRequest.com | DownloadBob Utley You Can Understand the Bible - Revelation 6:9 - 6:11
(Show All Books | Show All Chapters)
This Chapter Verse Commentaries:
NASB (UPDATED) TEXT: Rev_6:9-11
9When 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; 10and 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?" 11And 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.
Rev_6:9 "I saw underneath the altar" There has been much discussion as to which altar this refers. The term "altar" is used quite often in Revelation (cf. Rev_8:3; Rev_8:5; Rev_9:13; Rev_11:1; Rev_14:18; Rev_16:7). Some believe that this refers to the sacrificial altar mentioned in Lev_4:7 and by Paul in Php_2:17, while others believe that it is the altar of incense in the Holy Place of the Tabernacle (cf. Rev_8:3-5) or temple of Rev_11:1. It is probably the altar of sacrifice because
1. the rabbis saw this as a place of great honor
2. it is referring to death (i.e., blood) of the martyrs
One might ask, "Why do martyrs assemble under the altar?" Remember that in the OT "blood" was the symbol of life (cf. Gen_9:4; Lev_17:11; Lev_17:14). In the sacrificial system of Israel the blood was not placed on the horns of the sacrificial altar, but poured out at the base (i.e., Exo_29:12; Lev_4:7; Lev_4:18; Lev_4:25; Lev_8:15; Lev_9:9). Therefore, the life (i.e., souls) of the slain martyrs was at the base of the altar.
▣ "the souls of those who had been slain" These souls are the disembodied (between death and resurrection) martyred believers (cf. Rev_13:15; Rev_18:24; Rev_20:4). This is surprising because it is more a Greek thought than a Hebrew concept. All Christians are called to be martyrs if the situation demands (cf. Rev_2:10; Rev_2:13; Mat_10:38-39; Mat_16:24).
There seems to be no connection between those killed by the four horsemen of Rev_6:1-8 and these martyrs!
NASB "because of the word of God, and because of the testimony which they had maintained"
NKJV "for the word of God and for the testimony which they held"
NRSV "for the word of God and for the testimony they had given"
TEV "because they had proclaimed God's word and had been faithful in their witnessing"
NJB "on account of the Word of God, for witnessing to it"
This phrase is a recurrent theme in Revelation (cf. Rev_1:9; Rev_12:11; Rev_12:17; Rev_19:10; Rev_20:4). It is very similar in meaning to the phrase "to him who overcomes" (cf. Rev_2:6; Rev_2:11; Rev_2:17; Rev_2:26; Rev_3:5; Rev_3:12; Rev_3:21). These were killed because they were active Christians.
Rev_6:10 "How long. . .will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood" Many commentators view this as being sub-Christian. This is probably because these commentators have never been in severe persecution from unbelievers themselves. These people are not asking for vengeance, but for justice! This may be an allusion to Deu_32:43 (cf. Rev_19:2). This request follows Paul's admonition in Rom_12:19.
▣ "O Lord" This term "Lord" (despotçs) describes total authority. We get the English term "despot" from this Greek word. It is used of YHWH in Luk_2:29 and Act_4:24 and of Jesus in 2Pe_2:1 and Jud_1:4.
▣ "those who dwell on the earth" This is a very common phrase in Revelation; it always refers to unbelievers (cf. Rev_3:10; Rev_8:13; Rev_11:10; Rev_13:8; Rev_13:12; Rev_13:14; Rev_17:2; Rev_17:8).
Rev_6:11 "there was given to each of them a white robe" This is a metaphor for "rest," "blessedness," or "victory." For some the theological problem involved here is how a disembodied soul could wear a piece of clothing. Be careful of hyper literalism, especially when interpreting an apocalyptic drama! The fact that commentators even discuss this shows how much they misunderstand the genre of the book! Do not push the details in Revelation!
▣ "until the number of their fellow servants and their brethren who were to be killed even as they had been, would be completed also" One of the major truths of this book is that God is in control of all things (cf. Rev_6:8), even the death of Christian martyrs! All of history is in His hand. God is not surprised by any events, actions, or outcomes. Yet there is still pain, suffering and unfairness in this fallen world. For a good discussion of the problem of evil see John W. Wenham's The Goodness of God.
This concept of a completed number of martyrs (cf. I Enoch 47:4) is a symbolic way of referring to God's knowledge and plan for mankind. This is similar to Paul's concept of "the fullness of the Gentiles" (cf. Rom_11:12; Rom_11:25) which refers to God's knowledge of all the Gentiles who would be saved.