When Jesus opened the first four seals on the scroll, four horses were released to bring the beginning of troubles to the earth.
More trouble will come with the opening of the seals and other events that are recorded in Revelation. As we read about this, please remember that God uses whatever means are at his disposal to bring people to a place of repentance.
The pale green horse brought more trouble to the earth.
When he broke the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature call out, “Come!”
I looked, and there was a pale green horse!
Its rider’s name was Death, and Hades followed with him; they were given authority over a fourth of the earth, to kill with sword, famine, and pestilence and by the wild animals of the earth (Revelation 6.7-8).
A little more than 8 billion people populate the earth. When the pale horse is finished 2 billion people will have died. I can’t imagine the grief that this destruction will cause.
Once again, let’s remember that God’s purpose is to bring humanity to repentance.
The Cry of the Martyrs
In the vision, the four horsemen have come forth. The scene changes to a scene where Christian martyrs appeal to God.
When he broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slaughtered for the word of God and for the testimony they had given (Revelation 6.9).
The Book of Leviticus describes the Tabernacle and provides a picture of Revelation’s image of heaven.
The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is in the tent of meeting before the Lord,
And the rest of the blood of the bull he shall pour out at the base of the altar of burnt offering, which is at the entrance of the tent of meeting (Leviticus 4.7).
Paul understood the concept of a martyr’s death as a sacrifice of worship to God. He wrote, “As for me, I am already being poured out as a libation, and the time of my departure has come” (2 Timothy 4:6).
Like Paul, the martyrs gave up their lives because of the word of God and their testimony.
Paul has a message that Jesus’ followers need to recognize. “Indeed, all who want to live a godly life in Christ Jesus will be persecuted” (2 Timothy 3.12).
The Martyr’s Cry
The cry of the martyrs echoes the prayers of God’s people in older generations.
O Lord, you God of vengeance,
you God of vengeance, shine forth!
Rise up, O judge of the earth;
give to the proud what they deserve!
O Lord, how long shall the wicked,
how long shall the wicked exult? (Psalm 94.1-3)
Yes, God’s people suffer persecution and oppression. That is a concern, but the major concern of the martyrs by the altar is how God’s reputation has been injured.
They cried out with a loud voice, “Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long will it be before you judge and avenge our blood on the inhabitants of the earth?” (Revelation 6.10)
The Reward
The Revelation vision includes serious pain and anguish for humanity.
Another message in revelation is God’s reward for his faithful. The martyrs will be rewarded.
They were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number would be complete both of their fellow servants and of their brothers and sisters who were soon to be killed as they themselves had been killed (Revelation 6.11).
When Jesus talked to his followers about the end times, he said, “Keep awake, therefore, for you do not know on what day your Lord is coming” (Matthew 24.42).
God’s word to the martyrs who have kept awake and endured tribulation is “rest.”
They have faithfully served the Lord and have entered God’s rest.
“Therefore, while the promise of entering his rest is still open, let us take care that none of you should seem to have failed to reach it” (Hebrews 4.1).
In addition to God’s rest, they have received white robes which are symbols of blessedness and purity.
YouTube Video
Rudy Ross and I discuss this on YouTube today. It is on the Bob Spradling channel.
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