Wrath of the Lamb
Wrath of the Lamb
The fifth seal changes the metaphor of horsemen and discloses a scene of martyred saints under the altar crying out for justice against those who killed them.
One solution understands John to be referring to all those who so faithfully follow Christ as to form a group that may be characterized as the slain of the Lord. They may or may not actually suffer physical death for Christ, but they have (like John) so identified themselves with the slain Lamb that they have in effect already offered up their lives (“because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained” [cf. 1:2, 9]); and they are seen as a group (cf. Ro 8:36).
the Greek psyche has various meanings and probably stands here for the actual “lives” or “persons” who were killed rather than for their “souls.”
“Under the altar” sets the scene as occurring in the temple of heaven
The martyrs cry out for God’s vengeance on the evildoers. The word “avenge” (ekdikeō, GK 1688) relates everywhere in the OT (LXX) and in the NT to the idea of punishment or retribution (TDNT 2:442–44). These saints are following the teaching of Paul in Romans 12:19: “Do not take revenge, my friends, but leave room for God’s wrath, for it is written: ‘It is mine to avenge; I will repay,’ says the Lord.” Though believers are forbidden to take revenge, God will vindicate his elect by punishing those who killed them (Lk 18:7–8; 2 Th 1:8).
The martyrs were each given a “white robe” as evidence of their righteousness and victory before the Judge of all the earth, who will speedily avenge their deaths. The wait of a “little longer” is in God’s estimate but a fleeting moment, though for us it may stretch out for ages
The verb “completed” (plēroō, GK 4444) may mean “until their fellow servants complete their course” or “fulfill their Christian calling,” which will also involve martyrdom. In any event, what constitutes the essence of Christian discipleship in John’s eyes should not be overlooked
The signs are threefold: (1) the great earthquake and its storm, affecting the sun and moon; (2) the falling of the stars; and (3) the terror on earth (vv. 15–17)
The scene, whether taken literally or figuratively, is one of catastrophe and distress for earth’s inhabitants
so John uses the archetypal imagery of the OT to describe this terrible visitation of God’s final judgment on the earth. In much the same manner as we would describe a chaotic situation by saying “all hell broke loose” (though not intending it to be taken in a strictly literal sense)
Since all kinds of people are included, we cannot say that God’s wrath is directed only at the powerful, at the rich, or at false Christians. His judgment will fall on all who refuse to repent and instead worship demons and idols and persecute Christ’s followers (9:20–21; 16:6, 9).
The plea of people for the rocks and mountains to fall on them occurs in OT contexts of God’s judgment (Isa 2:19, 21; Hos 10:8). It expresses the desire to be buried under the falling mountains and hills so as to escape the pains and terrors of the judgment
The “wrath” (orgē, “anger,” GK 3973) of the Lamb is not only a new metaphor but also a paradoxical one. Lambs are usually gentle. But this Lamb shows “wrath” against those who have refused his grace
