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Revelation 6:9-11:A cry for justice.

⁹ When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ ¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.”NIV

It’s important to note that the souls of the martyrs, under the altar, are not calling out for vengeance, but for justice. It’s not that they want to get even. They appeal to God’s character: ‘’Sovereign Lord, holy and true…’’ (10). If God is who He is, He must punish those who have taken their lives. They have been treated unjustly, as if they were criminals. It’s not fair. So it’s a question of when. ‘’How long…?’’ (See Psalm 94:3; Hab.1:2).

Ultimately, this is a longing for the honour of God’s Name. It’s zeal for His reputation. Unless we see this we will fail to understand the prayer. If God is holy and just, He must punish unrepentant sinners.

Revelation 6:9-11: Heavenly-minded.

“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ ¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters, were killed just as they had been.” NIV

We are already almost one sixth of the way through the new year, and getting close to one third of the way through ‘Revelation’. Although I approached this last book of the Bible with a good amount of self-confessed trepidation (and I hope I will never lose that sense of standing on holy ground), the more I read, the more aware I am of the reality of that other world. It is, after all, just the other side of the wardrobe door (to use C.S.Lewis’s image from his Narnia books).

It was C.S. Lewis, I believe, who said something along these lines, that it is, by and large, the case that as Christians have come to think less and less about the world to come, they have had a reduced impact on this world.

It is true, I’m sure, that you can be so heavenly-minded you are of no earthly use. But is not equally possible to be so earthly-minded that you are of no heavenly use?

There is surely a balance to be struck.

Don’t forget that these words are in the Bible:

‘’Since, then, you have been raised with Christ, set your hearts on things above, where Christ is seated at the right hand of God. Set your minds on things above, not on earthly things…’’ (Colossians 3:1,2).

Revelation 6:9-11: The seed of the church.

 ^“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. ¹⁰ They called out in a loud voice, ‘How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?’ ¹¹ Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,were killed just as they had been.” NIV

‘Love makes the whole difference between an execution and a martyrdom.’ Evelyn Underhill. Speaking God’s Word is dangerous. It comes at a price, and many have paid the ultimate price. Many still do. Notice the clear indication in verse 11 that such suffering for believers will continue to the end of time. Remaining silent about your faith in Christ may keep you physically safe, but it is spiritually dangerous. There is a way to save your life which means losing it, and a losing of your life that means you keep it. This is how it is in God’s ‘Upside-down Kingdom’. One of the early church leaders famously commented that, ‘The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church.’

In verse 9 John uses the word ‘’slain’’ regarding these Christian martyrs. He has previously used it of Jesus (see 5:6,12). This is surely an aspect of what the apostle Paul calls ‘’the fellowship of sharing in his sufferings, becoming like him in his death ‘’ (Philippians 3:10)?  The souls of these Christian dead are ‘’under the altar’’ (9). This speaks to me of safety. They are safely home; sheltered in God’s presence. Warren Wiersbe also makes the point that this was where the blood was placed in the tabernacle (Leviticus 4:7;17:11).  They are conscious, and are communicating with God. They are able to speak.  They are wearing white robes. These are emblematic of purity and victory. In spite of all appearances to the contrary, these dear believers are not life’s losers.

PRAYER: Lord Jesus, most worthy and slain Lamb of God, I pray for my brothers and sisters who face danger and death all day long because of their testimony to you.

Revelation 6:1-8: It’s only to be expected!

“I watched as the Lamb opened the first of the seven seals. Then I heard one of the four living creatures say in a voice like thunder, ‘Come!’ ² I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.³ When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, ‘Come!’ ⁴ Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make people kill each other. To him was given a large sword.⁵ When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, ‘Come!’ I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. ⁶ Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, ‘A kilogram of wheat for a day’s wages, and three kilograms of barley for a day’s wages,^[b] and do not damage the oil and the wine!’⁷ When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, ‘Come!’ ⁸ I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a quarter of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.” NIV

A recent edition of ‘Time’ magazine had a special feature on optimism, and the place of art and artists in feeding optimism. The irony is, of course, that it is written at a time when many people feel deeply pessimistic about the state of the world. We need hope. The Bible offers it in spadefuls for believing people. But it’s a realistic hope it holds out. It’s a hope which says that, on the way to all being well, a lot of bad stuff must first happen in this world. If we understand the words of Jesus, we know it’s only to be expected.

Jesus now does what we have come to see He is ‘’worthy’’ to do (5:5,9). He opens the seals of the scroll; and creation can only receive what is to come to it after the Lord unfastens each seal. Jesus is in charge of history. Forget that and, at times, you may plummet towards despair.

There is a link between this passage in Revelation and Jesus’ words in Matthew 24: 4-14 (a section of the Bible sometimes referred to as ‘the little apocalypse’). It will pay you to take your Bible and compare verse 4 with Matt.24:6,7, verse 6 with Matt.24:7, and verse 9 with Matt.24:9. Both passages teach that the present course of history is in Jesus’ Hands. He knows it in advance, and He is in control of its unfolding.

A note in ‘Search the Scriptures’ will help us:

‘Verse 2. Two principal interpretations have been given of the white horse and his rider. Many take it to be a picture of Christ going forth in the conquests of the gospel. Cf Matt.24:14, Ps.45:3-5. Others regard it as a picture of invasion and lust of conquest, leading to the miseries of war, famine, pestilence and death. The latter seems more likely. The four horses, as in Zechariah 6, form a series whose mission is to execute judgment.’

Note the word ‘’given’’ in verse 4. When we face the horrible realities of war, let’s remember God is Sovereign. He is in control even when it looks like the world is out of control.

Verse 6 describes a common feature of famine. The poor people have to work hard to buy a tiny amount of food, but the luxury items are still there for the rich to enjoy.

Remember Jesus said, ‘’All these are the beginning of birth pains’’ (Matthew 24:8). We can expect an intensification of these labour pains as we move towards the end. We should not be surprised to see them happening. It’s only to be expected.

I am reminded of David Pawson’s words. He said we can sum up the book of Revelation like this: ‘Things are going to get a lot worse before they get a lot better; things are going to get a lot better after they get a lot worse.

PRAYER: Lord, I hate to see the pain and suffering in the world, but I thank you that these are but the birth pains of a new, perfect creation from which all evil and misery will be banished. Thank you for the God-given understanding that nothing takes you by surprise; that you are working your purpose out ‘as year succeeds to year.’

Revelation 5:11-14: In the choir.

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen’, and the elders fell down and worshipped.” NIV

We are in the heavenly choir already. In our worship, we ‘join with angels and archangels, and all the company of heaven. Don’t forget that heaven and earth are umbilically linked

As we conclude our look at Revelation 4/5, here’s the big picture we need to see:

• In the centre, on the throne of the universe, there is God and ‘’the Lamb’’ (Jesus);
• Before the throne of God and of the Lamb, all creation and the whole church bow down in worship;
• Then there is another circle of over a hundred million worshipping angels (Daniel 7:10);
• Don’t miss the remarkable point that the worship accorded to the Creator God is also given to Christ! (I’m sure, too, you will see the connection between verse 13, 14 and Philippians 2:5-11

‘See how the circle of praise grows until every creature worships Him. Heaven is a place of worship, so begin to get ready now to join in the praise!’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘With the Word’, p.851.

The God who made us, and the Christ who bought us, are deserving of our continuous praise.

Francis Chan was the pastor of a mega-church, who walked away from it, and started again in his home. One of things he said was, ‘We wanted to be a church where we sing our hearts out to God!’ That’s a godly ambition for us all. Such music is being made in heaven right now. You’re already in the choir. So sing!!

Revelation 5: Where the church belongs.

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. ⁷ He went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who sat on the throne. ⁸ And when he had taken it, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of God’s people. ⁹ And they sang a new song, saying:

¹¹ Then I looked and heard the voice of many angels, numbering thousands upon thousands, and ten thousand times ten thousand. They encircled the throne and the living creatures and the elders. ¹² In a loud voice they were saying:

¹³ Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, saying:

¹⁴ The four living creatures said, ‘Amen’, and the elders fell down and worshipped.” NIV

Where does the church belong?

1. At the feet of Jesus: We have seen previously that ‘’the four living creatures and the twenty four elders’’ represent creation and the church respectively. Here we see both the created order, and the whole people of God down at the feet of Jesus (8a); falling before ‘’the Lamb’’ who was slain – the One who has triumphed and is ‘’worthy’’ to open the scroll. History is in His Hands. Do we have any idea how big Jesus is, or how small and weak we are? Do we get it that we belong with John at the feet of Christ? (1:17)
2. In the place of praise: ‘’Each one had a harp…’’ (8b). We get to join in with the ‘’new song’’ (9, 10; see 1:5b, 6).
3. In the place of prayer: ‘’…and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints’’ (8b). As someone put it, there is an umbilical link between earth and heaven. The ordinary, every day prayers of believers make a difference. They do reach heaven. Be encouraged. Consider these quotes: ‘…the prayers of God’s people play a vital part in God’s governing of the world.’ Warren W. Wiersbe: ‘With the Word’, p.850. ‘Those are your prayers in the bowl of incense! Isn’t that awesome? We get to be part of this unbelievable scene.’ Francis Chan: ‘Letters to the church’, p.40. ‘If the veil of the world’s machinery were lifted off, how much we would find is done in answer to the prayers of God’s children.’ Robert Murray M’Cheyne.

PRAYER: Thank you Lord Jesus for shedding your blood, to buy an international people for God. Thank you that I’m a part of it, with work to do today, and a glorious hope for tomorrow.

Revelation 5:1-6: No more tears.

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, ‘Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?’ ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, ‘Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.’⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the centre of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” NIV

Tom Wright says:

‘…already the plan, to wipe away all tears from all eyes (7,17; 21.4) has begun.’

He goes on to add:

‘The echoes that rumble like thunder around the cave walls of our scriptural memories conjure up prophecies and visions. The Messiah will come from David’s tribe, the tribe of Judah; Judah was described in Genesis 49.9 as a lion’s cub…No first-century Jew would miss the reference, or fail to understand ‘the Root of David’, a phrase which, as in 22.16, echoes the great messianic prophecy of Isaiah 11:1-10.’ ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.53.

As you read through Revelation, it helps to remember that this prophecy is steeped in Old Testament allusions. There is truth in the saying:

‘The New is in the old concealed; the Old is in the New revealed.’

Also, never lose sight of the key message that the throne of the universe is occupied, and Jesus has conquered through suffering. Whatever we may have to go through down here, we are on the winning team.

PRAYER: Thank you, Almighty God, for your wonderful Word.

Revelation 5:1-6: He is able

“Then I saw in the right hand of him who sat on the throne a scroll with writing on both sides and sealed with seven seals. ² And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” ³ But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth could open the scroll or even look inside it. ⁴ I wept and wept because no one was found who was worthy to open the scroll or look inside. ⁵ Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” ⁶ Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing at the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth.” NIV

The sealed scroll contains future events. Here are two different, but complementary, observations on it:  ‘Probably it contains the history of the successive steps to be taken to win the empire of the world for Christ. In other words, it tells of the successive stages of the coming of the kingdom of God.’ F.B. Meyer: ‘Devotional Commentary’, p.638.

‘We rightly guess…that it contains God’s secret plan to undo and overthrow the world-destroying projects that have already gained so much ground, and to plant and nurture instead the world-rescuing project which will get creation itself back on track in the right direction.’ Tom Wright: ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.52.

No human-being is ‘’worthy’’ to unloose the seals that keep this book fastened.We have all sinned and fallen short of God’s glory. As one writer said, we are all overdrawn at the moral bank

But Jesus is worthy.

‘’He is able…’’ (5).

John looks for the One described as ‘’the Lion of the tribe of Judah’’ (5), but what he sees is ‘’a Lamb’’ (6). Clearly, Jesus is the other side of death. He is ‘’standing’’. He is very much alive. Also, He is at the centre of the universe: ‘’standing in the centre of the throne’’. He can open the book of the future. His death and resurrection lie at the epicentre of history. He died, yes. He was ‘’slain’’; but He was not defeated. ‘He death, by dying, slew.’ He is the all-prevailing Christ.

Revelation 4:6b-ll: ‘Theatre of praise.’

^“6 Also in front of the throne there was what looked like a sea of glass, clear as crystal.In the centre, round the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and behind. ⁷ The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. ⁸ Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all round, even under its wings. Day and night they never stop saying: ‘“Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty,”who was, and is, and is to come.’ ⁹ Whenever the living creatures give glory, honour and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever, ¹⁰ the twenty-four elders fall down before him who sits on the throne and worship him who lives for ever and ever. They lay their crowns before the throne and say:                                                                                            ¹¹ ‘You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honour and power, for you created all things,and by your will they were created  and have their being.’ NIV

The scene John saw was one in which these ‘’living creatures’’ continuously worship God. It seems they represent the whole of the created order. Nature is a living thing, and it constantly praises God (see, e.g. Psalm 19).  Inspired by the worship of the living world, the church (we have said before that the ‘’twenty-four elders’’ represent the entire people of God throughout the ages) joins in.

‘…perhaps we should pause here and reflect carefully. Do we, in our private prayers and worship, and in our public services and liturgies, give sufficient weight to praising God as the creator of all things?…Do we then view creation itself as a theatre of praise, and live appropriately within such an awesome place?’ Tom Wright: ‘Revelation for everyone’, p.49.

As Wright says, there is a ‘’because’’ in the church’s worship (11). We praise God because we understand certain truths about Him, even if our comprehension is dim at best.

As we regularly hear the call of nature, may our hearts be stirred to heartily join in. What a blessing to live within the ‘theatre of praise.’

PRAYER: ‘When through the woods and forest glades I wander, and hear the birds sing sweetly in the trees; when I look down from lofty mountain grandeur, and hear the brook and feel the gentle breeze, Then sings my soul, my Saviour God to thee, How great thou art…’