Revelation 6: The Wrath of the Lamb
Revelation 6: The Wrath of the Lamb
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.
◇ Following the letters to the seven churches (chapters 2-3) and the heavenly worship where angels, twenty-four elders, and four living creatures praise God and the Lamb (chapters 4-5), we now witness the unfolding of the seven seals.
As each of the seven seals that secured the scroll of the One seated on the throne is broken, extraordinary events unfold.
When the first seal is opened, a white horse appears. Its rider carries a bow and rides forth conquering and to conquer.
The second seal reveals a fiery red horse whose rider takes peace from the earth, bringing war and violence.
The third seal brings forth a black horse whose rider holds a pair of scales. The measuring reveals economic hardship—a quart of wheat for a day's wages, three quarts of barley for a day's wages. Even a full day's work barely sustains life.
The fourth seal reveals a pale horse whose rider is Death, followed by Hades. A fourth of the earth falls victim to sword, famine, plague, and wild beasts.
When the fifth seal is opened, we hear the cry of martyred souls. These are the voices of those who died following God's word and bearing witness to Jesus. They pray for God's judgment upon the wicked and for justice for their shed blood. The One on the throne clothes them in white robes and tells them to rest a little longer until the full number of their fellow servants is complete.
The sixth seal brings cosmic catastrophe—earthquakes shake the earth, stars fall from heaven, and there is nowhere to hide. The kings of the earth, princes, generals, the rich, the mighty, and everyone else—both slave and free—find no refuge. None can escape the wrath of the Lamb.
The One seated on the throne—God and the Lamb, Jesus—sees those who have been persecuted and killed. He has prepared white robes for them and holds plans to judge those who have committed these injustices.
Through John, God tells suffering and persecuted Christians to endure just a little longer. He wants them to know that He sees all, hears all, knows their hearts and pain, and shares in their anguish. Through John, He seeks to comfort, encourage, and give hope.
♧ Good and righteous God, even today there are those who cry out like the first-century Christians. Please comfort and encourage them, and fill them with hope. Deliver them swiftly from their suffering and grant them peace and rest. Holy Spirit, make them strong and courageous. Amen.