SCRIPTURE:
“When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.
They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before You judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?””
Revelation 6:9-10
OBSERVATION:
Here in John’s vision, we see the seven seals being broken by the Lamb—Jesus Christ. The first four seals are represent of war, injustice, famine, and death; kind of the snapshot of the current state of the world society.
Then with the fifth seal broken, a rather unusual thing happens. From under the great altar of the LORD, the souls of the martyrs of Christ, those who paid for their faith with their lives, are seen and heard.
It must have been an almost uncountable number. From Stephen who was stoned for proclaiming Jesus as Son of God and Lord, people have had their lives taken from them for their faith, ever since.
And the common cry being heard from these souls; “How long, Lord, until You bring judgment on the people of the world for what they did to us? Avenge our blood!”
Can you blame them? How long?
APPLICATION:
Some days, it’s easy to look up in the sky and say, “How long, Lord? This world is messed up!”
Given the condition of our society; morally, socially, and spiritually, we could, but I'm sure that it has been said amongst the living faithful from generations past, too.
It's not that I despise this thing called life, I love it and am grateful for every day I open my eyes.
But without my faith in Christ, I suppose I could be amongst the world, living for self, for stuff, and for status. God would be chalked up as "opiates for the masses", or "crutches for weak minds".
And as society calls evil good, and good evil...and calls it "social progression and enlightenment", I join the living who also join the long departed martyrs of faith who say, "How long, LORD?"
But, I must be aware if what the LORD had told them, that judgment could not come until all the martyrs--even those to come--had to be killed first.
That means that any of us...even myself...could someday find myself choosing either life, or my faith. No one knows where we’d stand until that moment comes.
PRAYER:
Lord Jesus, even today, people around the world are being martyred for Your name. And while I pray for their souls from half a world away, I also know that You will return to judge and avenge the lives given for Your sake.
May I have a shred of their courage and devotion to You, to love and forgive while here on earth, and to be patiently ready for Your return. Amen.
