February 4 - The Fifth Seal

February 4 – The Fifth Seal
Revelation 6:9-11

Avery & Marsh wrote a song called “This Room” that talks about the sanctuary and how we relate to it. At a conference in a former church, they asked us to find a place in the sanctuary we could relate to. I moved to the piano, others to a specific pew. Dick Marsh placed himself under the altar, explaining that it was important to him because the altar was a place of sacrifice and Jesus’ sacrifice meant everything to him. You know what? The place has become special to me as well.

As the fifth seal is opened, we find the martyrs under the altar.

When the Lamb opens the fifth seal, no rider comes forth, but John saw the souls of those who had been slain. Now remember, John is in the throne room. In Exodus 25:8-9, we read that God gave the pattern to Moses who was to follow it exactly. In Exodus 40:33-35, God fills the Tabernacle with His presence.

Hebrews 8:5 tells us that the high priests serve “at a sanctuary that is a copy and shadow of what is in heaven.” The altar in heaven was the original which the Tabernacle and Temple altars were patterned after.

Why are the souls there? The one in heaven is the original … let’s look at what happens on earth in Leviticus 4:7. Some of the blood of the sacrifice is placed on the horns of the altar of incense. The rest of the blood is poured out at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.

In Leviticus 17:11 we read “…the life of a creature is in the blood, and I have given it to you to make atonement for yourselves on the altar; it is the blood that makes atonement for one’s life.”

Those souls beneath the altar? Their life blood has been poured out as an offering to God. Oh my, what a beautiful image we have! They maintained their testimony through everything. These were the martyrs who had given their lives because of the Word of God!

But, they called out (Revelation 6:10) “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood.”

This cry echos Psalm 79:5-10 … “How long, o Lord?”

God really does not mind that we question Him in pleas such as this. He understands that we face limits of time on our lives. It may not change His plans, but He does understand. The Psalmist gives us permission to cry out before God, “How long?”

Each of the martyrs was given a white robe which would signify purity and blessedness and told to wait there a little longer until their number was completed. The day is coming!