The Breaking of the Fifth and Sixth Seal

Opening the Fifth Seal

Revelation 6:9-11 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: 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? 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 Cry of the Redeemed

Note: Up to this point, the four living creatures have made an announcement “Come and see”, but they are silent for the remainder of the breaking of the seals. John gives no reason that the breaking of the fifth seal does not include the living creatures (we will see them again in the “vial” judgments; Re 15:7). Perhaps the rotation of the announcements by the four living creatures continues and John just expects us to know that. On the other hand, maybe their role is completed, and they remove themselves from center stage. Either way, I do not believe they stopped because they are no longer interested in the unfolding of the Revelation. On the contrary, I believe all of heaven is interested in the events of the end times.

And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God - the scene shifts from the judgment on the earth to heaven’s throne room as the lamb breaks the fifth seal. John reveals something he has not reported up to this point, an altar before the throne of God. There are seven (7) references to the altar in the throne room of God in Revelation. In two places John calls it the “golden altar which is before God” (Re 8:3; 9:13).

There were two altars in the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem: the altar of sacrifice and the altar of incense. This is a reference to the golden altar of incense which was in both the Tabernacle and the Temple in Jerusalem. It continually burned incense before the inner vail dividing the Holies, containing the Table of Shewbread, the Golden Candlestick, and the Golden Altar of Incense, from the Holy of Holies, containing the Ark of the Covenant and the Mercy Seat where God dwells. (Ex 39:38; 40:26; Nu 4:11; 2Ch 4:19)

The bronze altar of burnt sacrifices stood outside of the Tabernacle/Temple. It was here that the daily sacrificial offerings were consumed.

There are several references that heaven is a Temple as found in the Revelation (Re 11:19; 14:17; 15:5; 16:17) and in the Old Testament (Ps 11:4; Is 6:1; Hab 2:20; Mic 1:2).

I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held - Instead of hearing the voice of one of the living creatures, John hears the voices of martyrs of God. John’s description of the martyred as “souls” is because their bodily resurrection has not taken place yet (Re 20:4)

Note: This is the first mention of John seeing the souls that were slain. I wonder at John’s reaction to seeing those souls who lost their lives for the very same reason that he was exiled to the island of Patmos.

Revelation 1:9 I John, who also am your brother, and companion in tribulation, and in the kingdom and patience of Jesus Christ, was in the isle that is called Patmos, for the word of God, and for the testimony of Jesus Christ.

The fifth seal applies to those who followed the example of Jesus, death over forsaking their beliefs. The Greek word martus means a “witness” (Re 2:13; 17:6). A martyr is a person who willingly suffers death rather than renounce their belief or religion. In this case, they lost their lives because of the Word of God and giving their testimony.

Who are the slain? That would depend on your view of the End Times. The Futurist (that includes this writer) believes that these are they who are saved and then martyred for their beliefs during the Tribulation period.[1] These are different from the Church, which has been “snatched away” when Christ came back in the clouds (1Th 4:16-17).

“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?” – Who are the antagonists? There are many during the Tribulation period including the Beast (Re 11:7; 13:7, 15), the great harlot (Re 17:6; 18:24) and “the men which had the mark of the beast, and upon them which worshipped his image.” (Re 16:6). Their plea to God is for judgment against those that currently “dwell on the earth.”

The slain echo many of the recorded psalmists, including David on more than a few occasions (Ps 10:11-12, 13:1-2; 35:17, 74:10, 89:46), but one echoes their cry:

Psalm 94 “The Lord Will Not Forsake His People”

Psalm 94:1-7 O Lord, God of vengeance, O God of vengeance, shine forth! 2 Rise up, O judge of the earth; repay to the proud what they deserve! 3 O Lord, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked exult? 4 They pour out their arrogant words; all the evildoers boast. 5 They crush your people, O Lord, and afflict your heritage. 6 They kill the widow and the sojourner, and murder the fatherless; 7 and they say, “The Lord does not see; the God of Jacob does not perceive.” (ESV)

“How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” This same question often shows up amid persecution throughout the ages, when the crush of the suffering and oppression is more than many can bear. Are they pleading for personal vengeance? Or do they want to see the “wrongs righted.” Do they want to see the Lamb slay the Antichrist and Satan?

Another question is “Is it biblical for these martyred saints to pray for vengeance on their murderers?” Some see this as posing a moral problem and in contrast to the examples of Jesus and Stephen. They were both biblical martyrs and they both prayed for forgiveness on those participants while they were being executed. The Old Testament has many examples of people pleading with God for his wrath on their oppressors (Zech 1:12, Dan 8:13, 12:6; Ps 90:13; Is 6:11).

But these are the Tribulation martyrs. They have found Christ during the wrath of God and they have lost their lives for the cause of Christ. Their appeal is biblical:

Romans 12:19 Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.

Luke 18:7-8 And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? 8 I tell you that he will avenge them speedily. Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?

As we will see, God does not chastise them for wanting Him to bring judgment upon their slayers.

“It seems that anyone converted after the Rapture must be martyred, “except the remnant of Israel, who are sealed for protection.” (Phillips, 1993)

“…them that dwell on the earth?” – is a common term used throughout Revelation for the rebellious and the ungodly (Re 6:10; 13:14; 14:6; 17:8).

Revelation 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.

In response to their pleas, the martyrs are first given a gift, a white robe (robe meaning a long flowing outer garment). The white robe is their reward for their belief in the Gospel. The believers in Sardis were promised; “and they shall walk with me in white, for they are worthy” and “He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment” (Re 3:4-5). To the church at Laodicea; “I counsel thee to buy of me…white raiment” (Re 3:18). The twenty-four elders were clothed in “white raiment” (Re 4:4). Other examples in Re 7:9, 13-14; 15:6. Jesus followers are adorned in the same clothing as the risen Savior, Re 19:14.

Revelation 19:14 And the armies [which were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

Secondly, the martyrs were told something I am sure was surprising to hear. Then “it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season.” God’s wrath will not be fulfilled; “until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.”[2] The stunning answer to their request is a promise from God that the Lamb’s wrath against the martyrs’ attackers must wait until the last martyr has been slain.

Note: slaughter and persecution are alien to most of the world’s population. During this time, the number of people who die is unthinkable. One quarter of the population will die in the first of four broken seals. To the Western mind, God allowing people, who have called upon the name of Jesus Christ as their savior, to die a martyr’s death is unconscionable. How could a loving God allow people that have denied the world to follow Christ to suffer and die in the most heinous way? However, these that die, in Christ, during the Tribulation only die once. They will not suffer the eternal second death. As the Apostle Paul has said:

2 Corinthians 5:6-8 Therefore [we are] always confident, knowing that, whilst we are at home in the body, we are absent from the Lord: 7 (For we walk by faith, not by sight:) 8 We are confident, [I say], and willing rather to be absent from the body, and to be present with the Lord.

“…they should rest – The Greek word anapauō translated as rest, carries several ideas; 1) be refreshed from work, 2) rest from work and 3) continued rest. In this case, they are to rest from the pain and suffering of their martyrdom and the spreading of the Word of God and their testimonies.

“…for a little season” - This indicates that the martyrs will not have to wait long for God to answer their pleas, just for a “little season.” The Greek word for season is chromos, which means “a space of time, not a fixed or special occasion.” We would use the English term, “You will have to wait a little longer.”

“…until their fellowservants also and their brethren” – A fellowservant, fellow worker or fellow slave refers to those that have become followers of Christ, and in this case during the Tribulation. Brethren can refer to “a blood brother or any kinsman and not necessarily a brother.” It can also refer to any friend or a fellow believer in Christ.

John MacArthur comments.

“This implies two classes of people, fellowservants and brethren. Fellowservants were alive and willing to die like the martyrs although they will not, and brethren imply those that will be killed.” (MacArthur, 2007).”

“…that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” – This is a disturbing message and difficult to understand by many today. I can hear the crowd; “How can a loving God, intentionally allow people to be put to death for the sake of the Gospel?” Because God is Sovereign. It is His plan and His decision. Until all things are complete, God holds back His judgment on those that are murdering Christians.

For those martyred, the news is to wait, for there are more to come. God in His sovereignty has determined the number of martyrs who are yet to be slain before the final judgment of God is handed out.

The message is clear, many, Christian believers will die for their belief before the Lord returns and His kingdom begins (Re 11:7; 12:11; 14:13; and 20:4-5).

Opening the Sixth Seal Brings Six Disasters

Revelation 6:12 And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood. 13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind. 14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places. 15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains; 16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: 17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Note: Many theologians, commentators and expositors believe that this is the beginning of the second half of the Great Tribulation period. The day of God’s wrath is at hand.

The sixth seal brings six disasters.

1. A Great Earthquake

2. The Sun Became Black as Sackcloth of Hair

3. The Moon Became as Blood

4. The Stars of Heaven Fell unto the Earth, Even as a Fig Tree Casteth Her Untimely Figs, When She is Shaken of a Mighty Wind.

5. The Heaven Departed Like a Scroll When It Is Rolled Together

6. Every Mountain and Island were Moved Out of Their Places.

First, “…great earthquake”

The sixth seal is broken, and the result is a great earthquake. Do you remember the sound that accompanied the breaking of the first seal? “The noise of thunder.” The vision of John is filled with sight and sound.

The recipients of the Revelation, the seven churches, had experienced devastating earthquakes leading up to the time of the writing of the Revelation (Sardis, Philadelphia, and Laodicea). Upon reading and hearing about this earthquake, they could easily imagine the worldwide damage such a quake could cause.

There have been many earthquakes on our planet. The USGS estimates that several million earthquakes occur all over the world each year, most near fault lines.[3]

Since 1990, some earthquakes that were the largest and deadliest.[4]

Year

Magnitude

Fatalities

Location

1990

7.4

50,000

Western Iran

2004

9.1

227,898

off West coast of Northern Sumatra

2008

7.9

87,587

Eastern Sichuan, China

2010

7.0

316,000

Haiti

2011

9.0

20,896

East Coast of Honshu, Japan

In this case, the word carries the idea of shaking or agitation of the earth with the effect of changes to the earth: opening chasms, mountains becoming valleys and visa-versa. Words cannot describe the total effect of this earthquake.[5]

Second, “…and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair,

The action of this seal does not just concern the planet earth, but the heavens as well. Sackcloth is a coarse black cloth, commonly, made of goat’s hair used in making grain sacks. When mourners wore sackcloth, it was usually next to the skin. It was also worn as a sign of repentance. Some prophets also wore sackcloth. It was an emblem of sadness and distress. The Lord proclaimed to the prophet Isaiah:

Isaiah 50:3 I clothe the heavens with blackness, and I make sackcloth their covering.

Some commentators have said that the dust from the destruction of the earthquake would fill the sky to the point that the sun would be darkened. The destruction is so great that it could be said that the sun was in mourning.

Another viewpoint is that this is the judgment of those who worship the sun. Throughout the ages, man has worshipped the sun in one form or another and the power of God to cause the sun into darkness would put this worship in chaos.

Third, “…and the moon became as blood”

The discoloration could easily be caused by the smoke or dust in the atmosphere caused by the earthquake.

The prophet Joel spoke of these same events happening before the day of the Lord:

Joel 2:30-31 And I will shew wonders in the heavens and in the earth, blood, and fire, and pillars of smoke. 31 The sun shall be turned into darkness, and the moon into blood, before the great and the terrible day of the LORD come.

Dr. Henry Morris explains:

“The vast worldwide network of unstable earthquake belts around the world will suddenly begin to slip and fracture on a global basis and a gigantic earthquake will ensue. This is evidently, and naturally, accompanied by tremendous volcanic eruptions, spewing vast quantities of dust and steam and gasses into the upper atmosphere. It is probably these that will cause the sun to be darkened and the moon to appear blood-red.”[6]

The ultimate consequence of the darkening of the sun and moon would have on life on earth would be equally devastating. Disruption of the cycle of daylight and darkness would affect plant and animal life.

Revelation 6:13 And the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.

Fourth, “…the stars of heaven fell unto the earth, even as a fig tree casteth her untimely figs, when she is shaken of a mighty wind.”

The Greek word aster literally or figuratively means a star, but it can also mean any heavenly body other than the sun and moon, like asteroids or meteors. The latter is probably the case for a massive meteor shower, as the stars are present in Revelation 8:12. When the wind howls, green fruit on the trees will release and drop its fruit randomly and haphazardly on the ground, so will the stars of heaven fall on the earth.

Revelation 6:14 And the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together; and every mountain and island were moved out of their places.

Fifth, “…the heaven departed as a scroll when it is rolled together”

The view for those remaining on the earth is a catastrophic change in the earth’s atmosphere. John likens it to a scroll that splits in the middle and rolls up on each side. The devastating effects this judgment might refer, at the very least, a significant change in the heavens, so that you could not see the sun, moon, or stars, or that their appearance is dramatically affected that they are not recognized.

Stacked on top of each of the previous five events, this one will change the sky. There is a promise of a “new heaven and new earth” (Re 21:1-2; 2Pet 3:10), but this is not it. Not yet!

Sixth, “…every mountain and island were moved out of their places.”

Since the first event is a great earthquake, the results of the Teutonic plates shifting and all the other events up to this point would finally see the earth’s crust unstable. Mountains ranges like the Rockies, Alps and others would be made flat or moved out of their normal place. Islands in the sea are simply mountains under the ocean, so if they were to be made flat, the islands will disappear.

To say that the results of the breaking of these six seals is terrifying, overwhelming, or devastating would be an understatement. Anything Hollywood could produce concerning the destruction of the earth in their “end of the world” scenarios, will pale in comparison to what is going to happen.

Revelation 6:15 And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man, hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains.

“And the kings of the earth, and the great men, and the rich men, and the chief captains, and the mighty men, and every bondman, and every free man.” – The effects of the sixth seal are not just on the physical landscape of the shaking of the earth, stars, and heavens, but affects the hierarchy of the world and her governments down to the poorest person on the planet. Albert Barnes says the world is filled with consternation.

“This consternation would extend to all classes of men, and fill the world with alarm, as if the end of all things were coming. Rulers--all who occupied thrones, High officers of state, Rich men, Commanders of armies, Men of great prowess in battle, Servants, and Freemen will be affected. The idea is that all classes of men, high and low, would be filled with alarm.” (Barnes, 1957)

“…hid themselves in the dens and in the rocks of the mountains;” – these are the natural places of refuge in the time of danger (Jud 6:2; 1Sa 13:6; Is 2:17-21). But how ridiculous is their action. Their hiding place of choice is the very place being shaken and made flat.

Revelation 6:16 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:

In their panic and fear, they plead and pray. However, the prayers are not to the God of the universe, the Creator and Sustainer of all life; it is to nature itself, “And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us.” Instead of repenting and asking forgiveness from the LORD God, they seek any other way including death rather than facing God or the Savior.

“…from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb:” – I am always amazed at the ill thinking of the human mind. These people obviously know that there is judgment on them and on the world and they know whom the judgment is coming from “him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb.” But their hearts are so darkened that they cannot and will not worship the Creator or the Lamb that “takes away the sin of the world.” (Jn 1:29)

We have two different responses: from the martyrs we have “avenge us” and from those remaining on the earth, “hide us.”

Revelation 6:17 For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

So severe are the six scroll judgments that they suppose that the end of the world was coming. The Old Testament Poets and Prophets proclaimed what the end of time would entail.

Psalms 76:7 Thou, even thou, art to be feared: and who may stand in thy sight when once thou art angry?

Isaiah 13:6 Howl ye; for the day of the LORD is at hand; it shall come as a destruction from the Almighty.

Zephaniah 1:14 The great day of the LORD is near, it is near, and hasteth greatly, even the voice of the day of the LORD: the mighty man shall cry there bitterly.

But these are not the redeemed. They are not taught in church or in seminaries concerning the Day of the Lord or the End of Time according to the Holy Scriptures. But there is no doubt who is judging them, and they know why. They also know that no one can stand up to God; “who shall be able to stand?”

Conclusion

As sure as we know that we will have eternal life, we know that God cares for the brokenhearted and those that are murdered for His Name. The Fifth seal lets the reader in on a promise of God…those martyred for the Name of Christ will be found in the throne room of the Lord.

Death is sure in this life. Those that find Christ during the Tribulation, will be so focused on the Gospel being spread, that they do not concern themselves with the first death. It is the second death of those who reject Christ that drives them to endure the persecution.

Oh, that the church today would grasp that truth…

[1] There are varying ideas about whether these are saved during the whole of the Tribulation, or during the first 3 ½ year period or during the second3 ½ year period.

[2] The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2001). (Re 6:11). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.

[3] http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/eqstats.php

[4] http://earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/eqarchives/year/byyear.php

[5] This is the first of several earthquakes mentioned in the Revelation: 6;12; 8:5; 11:13, 19; 16:16-19.

[6] Henry M. Morris, The Revelation Record (Wheaton, IL, Tyndale House, 1985) 121