The Seven Seals (Rev. 6:1-17; 8:10 (Part 6)

5. FIFTH SEAL > martyrdom

^“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.” (Rev. 6:9-11)

The question is often asked, "Will people be saved during the Tribulation?"  Verses 9-11 provide the answer. Yes. Jews and Gentiles will be saved (Rev. 7:4-17). They are referred to as “the souls of those who had been slain.”

If people can be saved and will be saved during the Tribulation, then what's the big rush to bet right with God now? First, you aren't guaranteed your next breath, let alone awareness of when the Tribulation starts. You might not live long enough to be here for the Tribulation!

• 2 Cor. 6:2 > “Behold, now is the acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation.”
• Deal with the matter of salvation right now and “do not receive the grace of God in vain” (2 Cor. 6:1).
• Isa. 55:6 > “Seek the LORD while He may be found; call upon Him while He is near.”

Second, the ones who get saved during the Tribulation -- they will be martyred. What a deal you have right now! If you repent of your sin right now and surrender your life to Jesus Christ right now, you get to live until God grants your last breath You could be martyred; it isn't impossible but it also isn't automatic, as it will be during the Tribulation. If you won't repent of your sin now and surrender your life to Jesus Christ during this time of religious freedom, why would you think you will be able to do these things while defying world culture and law? Remember, this will become a world domineered by a possessed totalitarian who will manipulate religion for his purposes. Right now there is little fallout from declaring yourself a Christian. You might get laughed at or called a name or two. It will be a whole different ball game when your life is on the line. During the Tribulation it will be, “Deny Jesus Christ or die right here, right now.”

Notice why the martyrs were killed. The martyrs were killed, bottom line, because they pledged and maintained allegiance to God and not to the world dictator. More specifically, the martyrs were killed for two reasons.

• Reason #1 > the word of God
• Reason #2 > the testimony of Jesus

“Love makes the whole difference between an execution and a martyrdom.” (Evelyn Underhill)

John probably saw the blood of these loving martyrs under the altar. This is significant, as blood was always poured out at the base. Lev. 4:7 > “The priest . . . shall pour out [blood] at the base of the altar of burnt offering which is at the doorway of the tent of meeting.” A man's shed blood demanded payment (Gen. 9:5-6).

When you read the martyr's question, it brings up a matter called 'theodicy.' Theodicy is the study and attempted explanation of why God allows bad things to happen to good people, knowing that He could have prevented them yet didn't. In this case, why didn't God step in and prevent the suffering, torture and execution of His followers? Here is a summary of God's answer to the martyrs:

Though you don't understand My timing, My purpose and My plan, I'm asking you to keep waiting. My delay doesn't mean My disinterest in your question, My denial of your request or My delight in what happened to you.

• “ . . . God causes all things to work together for good to those who love God, to those who are called according to His purpose.” (Rom. 8:28)
• Isa. 55:8-9 > “'For My thoughts are not your thoughts, nor are your ways My ways,' declares the LORD. 'For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are My ways higher than your ways and My thoughts than your thoughts.'”
• Admit that you don't know God's purpose, don't understand God's plan, and have a limited perspective of things.
• Prov. 3:5 > “Trust in the LORD with all your heart and do not lean on your own understanding.”