We arrived at the breaking of the fifth seal. We heard the souls under the altar cry out, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev 6:10) They receive a threefold answer to their cry:
Verses 11, “And white robes were given unto every one of them.” First, they are given long white robes. They receive the robes of purity. They have been washed in the blood of Christ and are clothed in His righteousness. It was He who appeased God's wrath for them on the cross at Golgotha. He suffered God's wrath for their sins. Because He suffered and died for them, they now have peace. But it is also Christ who rose again the third day and in Him they have new lives and they receive His righteousness. In these white robes they will glorify and praise Him. In Revelation we often hear about the color white. Christ's appearance is in white (1:14), the church in Pergamum heard about a white stone with a new name (2:17), the few in Sardis who have not defiled their clothes will be dressed in white (3:4). But we also repeatedly read in the book of Revelation about the white robes in heaven. Both the 24 elders and the innumerable multitude wear them. What a sight! In heaven, there is the constant joy of complete salvation in Christ and sin will never be committed again. Not in thoughts, not in deeds and not even in words. Let us take time for the precious thoughts of the comfort that lies ahead.
Verses 11, “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.” Secondly, they are told to be patient. First the white horseman must go everywhere, the gospel will be spread and all those who need saving will be saved. There is still a time of grace for the world. But this also means that there is still a time ahead of us in which Christians will suffer and die for their faith in Christ. The time of grace is also a time of trial. God will work out His plan for salvation and judgment, but He will do so at His pace and in His way. He is the almighty and all-knowing, should we not trust Him? He knows what is best, let us be certain that everything is in His hands.
There is a third answer to the cry of the martyrs in heaven. That is the breaking of the 6th seal, we hope to hear that the next time.