MARTYRS

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:  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? 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 fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

The opening of the fifth seal reveals under the altar the newly, slain, believer’s soul which were killed for their belief in Christ. Unfortunately, they will not have the religious freedom of speech as we experience today. Remember, these believers will be saying they believe in Jesus Christ who raptured those millions of people and who will be coming back to earth to set up His kingdom. The world will see Jesus as the cause of the calamities happening to the planet. Thusly, expressions of faith toward Jesus will not be welcomed, but seen as treason leading to persecution and death. Some of the slain will be new converts, while others probably heard the gospel message preached before the rapture, but rejected it, and now realized they made a big mistake, repented and accepted Jesus.

Finally, the voices of the slain are heard crying over the inhumane treatment they received while on earth. They were given a white robe which symbolizes their victory and right standing with God, and told to rest until the end of the tribulation for many more would be joining them. For the scripture reveals throughout the tribulation there will be continued persecution and martyrdom; this means, however long the tribulation maybe believer’s lives will not be spared from death.