GETTING THE MESSAGE/Revelation: We win!
Whatever part of the book of Revelation is confusing or obscure, there is nothing unclear about its main end, which is to glorify God in the salvation that Christ accomplished in his death and resurrection. Within that main end, the book makes emphatic the great separation there is and will be permanently between those who belong to Christ and those who remain opposed to God.
Given those two truths and the whole tenor of the New Testament, it shouldn’t be surprising that the book of Revelation prepares Christians on earth to persevere through tribulation and temptation to honor Christ with patient endurance and sincere faith. Christ gives his people his word and Spirit for that purpose, that they may bear witness to him. Christ has decreed that there will be close union between him and his people in honoring God through tribulation.
In Revelation 6: 9-11, we are given a vision of victorious saints, those who overcame the world by faith. John sees “under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne” (verse 9).
The word slain, viewed strictly, means put to death by men for their faith. Viewed more broadly, it indicates all those who were willing to lose their lives for Christ’s sake, following the Lord’s promise: “He who loses his life for my sake will find it.”
The altar is symbolic of several things. It was a place where the offering up of a sacrifice for sins was made. The saints are in heaven by virtue of Christ’s sacrificial death offered up to take away their sin. The altar is also a place where incense was placed, indicating the prayers of God’s people offered in Christ’s name. Last, the altar is symbolic of the Christian offering up his life on earth as a living sacrifice to God. These truths pave the pathway the Christian walks on earth, with his eyes toward Christ, the Lamb of God seated on the throne above.
These saints lost their lives for the word of God. Scripture teaches us that our spiritual lives begin when the word of the Lord comes to us. The word of the Lord is not something men discovered; it is what God has revealed. It comes not because they have deserved it, but for the sake of God’s glory. It is effectual; its results are faith in Christ, a call from darkness to light, and from death to life. All comes from God, all to him we owe.
In verse 10, we see the prayer of the saints to the Lord: “How long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” This isn’t a cry from a personal vendetta or for revenge; it reflects the desire of the saints to see Christ’s name, which the world opposes, vindicated. When saints are persecuted or mocked, Christ is mocked.
While on earth, saints battle their own sin. We are taught to bear witness to Christ, praying for those who persecute us, and do good to those who hate us. We are taught to wait for the Lord’s vengeance; it is the Lord who will repay injustice. The saints pray, “Come Lord Jesus,” while on earth, looking to the day when Christ will be glorified as he is worthy to be, and that they will be through with tribulation.
When the Christian arrives in heaven, he is done with sin. He sees more clearly the evil of sin and opposition to God. The world is worthy of judgment. The cry goes from “Come quickly Lord Jesus,” to “How long, O Lord,” both indicating a desire to see Christ, the Lamb of God, honored.
In verse 11, the saints are given a white robe and told to wait until the number of their fellow servants is complete. There are still people coming to faith and losing their lives for Christ’s sake. The Lord’s patience means salvation for souls on earth.
The white robe means purity, cleansed of sin, to be adorned with holiness. The robe is symbolic of a soul in complete rest and tranquility. There is no more conflict or strife. This is where we want to be. We need to be frequent in our thoughts about Christ, thoughts of his love in dying for us. Evidence of sincere faith are the thoughts of the soul concerning Christ. So, think of Christ, what he has done, what you will inherit from him, where you will be because of him, and then honor him.