Rev 6:10 And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
Rev 6:11 And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
The first thing of note is the fact when Jesus opens the fifth seal John isn't called by one of the four beasts and told to come see, also there was no horse and rider depicting a journey through time here.
John watches the fifth seal being opened by Jesus and then instantly sees the altar. Where does an altar usually dwell? In a temple, right. There John sees the altar and the vision of those who died for their faith in Jesus and the word of God. Where else would such a vision exist? Just as Abel's blood cried out from the ground, just as rock cried out of the wall, the beam out of the timber - (Habakkuk 2: 11.) Just as an ass was made to talk- these things happen depicting situations that are uncommon, not usual. Seeing the slain souls just like seeing the horses of the previous vision this is exactly what they are- visions of the unusual. Do you see red horses typically? No. Do you typically see riders holding balances? These are symbolic visions holding important messages and as John saw the souls under the altar do you really believe he could have seen ALL those slain for God, for Christ there? They would be innumerable and wouldn't fit under an altar. Symbolically it's realistic to understand that this vision in this time period is encompassing all those slain for God, for their beliefs in God. Those who when faced with the prospect of death if they do not deny Christ, those who would rather die than give up the truth in God, these are those people under the altar.
~
Are people today being slain for the word of God?
Go to this website-
http://www.persecution.com/
And here-
Christian Deaths Climb in Eritrean Prisons
Wednesday, August 10, 2011 (6:27 am)
By Joseph DeCaro, Worthy News Correspondent
ASMARA, ERITREA (Worthy News)– Three Christians imprisoned for the testimony of Christ have died during the past months in Eritrea, including a 42-year-old man in solitary confinement Friday, according to a Christian support organization.
Pasted from
The answer is- yes! People are being killed today for the Word of God! We might not experience it here in the United States so much, but it is happening and we can't turn a blind eye to it all, we just can't.
Up until the Lord's return there will be those dying for the Word of God.
~
The question of how long is a question people put to themselves even now. How long before Christ returns- because only after all that MUST come to pass has come to pass- can true vengeance belonging to the Lord be enacted.
This time period if as with the others coincides with the seven churches, would last approximately 200 years, between 1500 and 1700. During this time we know the reformation began and people began to sail to a new land where they could practice their religion out from under the thumb of the papacy where they would not be under religious persecution such as was going on in such a widespread manner elsewhere.
This little season of rest perhaps indicates the escape of many who otherwise would have perished under the on going papal persecutions as people began to move away from their staunch Catholic beliefs.
Being given white robes means what? They were being covered by Christ's righteousness, they were being given the assurance of their sacrifice; and where it says they should rest until their fellow servants and brethren should be killed as they were should be fulfilled- surely this means there would be more who would sacrifice themselves for Christ, for their faith. In truth this meant not all would be able to escape, not all the souls that would be sacrifice were there and only when all of them were there could Christ avenge them together.
True vengeance for those martyred in Christ is only complete when death is swallowed up in the victory and the last of death is destroyed once and for all.
May God bless us all as we continue to study His word to find truth and understanding through the Holy Spirit's guidance. By the grace of Jesus Christ may we all be found in Him, and if called to die for Him, for the truth and faith in Him, may we do so in His strength. His will be done now and forever.
Amen
No comments:
Post a Comment