Revelation Part 25
The souls of those who had been slain do not represent conscious spirits crying out, for Scripture affirms that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5). Rather, their memory and testimony cry out, much like the blood of Abel did from the ground (Genesis 4:10).
When the fifth seal is opened in Revelation 6:9–11, the vision shifts from war, famine and pestilence to the suffering of God’s people. John sees “under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” This is not a new phenomenon; persecution of believers has been present since the beginning, but here it takes on an intensified and prophetic dimension. Jesus had already warned in the Olivet Prophecy (Matthew 24, Mark 13, Luke 21) that His followers would be hated, arrested and even killed. These early warnings of persecution in history foreshadow a much greater wave of martyrdom in the end time. Revelation makes clear that the trials already experienced will culminate in an unprecedented global hostility toward the saints, fueled by Satan, his demons and the Antichrist.
The imagery of the altar recalls the altar of incense from the tabernacle and temple worship, where the prayers of the saints rose before God like a pleasing aroma (Psalm 141:2, Revelation 8:3–4). The vision may also echo the sacrificial system, where blood was poured out at the base of the altar, symbolizing the life of the faithful who gave everything for God. These “souls” do not represent conscious spirits crying out, for Scripture affirms that “the dead know nothing” (Ecclesiastes 9:5) and that their thoughts perish when they return to the dust (Psalm 146:4). Instead, their memory and testimony cry out, much like the blood of Abel did from the ground (Genesis 4:10). The martyrs’ steadfast witness speaks powerfully to God and His people, even after their deaths.
This vision connects to the “great cloud of witnesses” in Hebrews 11–12, those who lived and died in faith, often facing ridicule, persecution and martyrdom because they refused to compromise. Like Isaiah, Ezekiel and John himself (Revelation 1:1-2), they were set apart by “the Word of God and the testimony” (Isaiah 8:20; John 17:17). They kept covenant loyalty to God even when threatened with loss of freedom, livelihood or life. Their faithfulness stands as both a reminder and a challenge to us: true discipleship may require the ultimate sacrifice.
Jesus Himself warned in Luke 14:25–33 that unless one is willing to forsake everything including life itself, one cannot be His disciple. In Exodus 31:13 we are told that the Sabbath is a sign between God and His people, and adherence to God’s truth and word sets us apart. Though following this path can seem frightening to us as believers, we are given constant encouragement throughout the Bible. In Romans 8:18 Paul reminds us that, “the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us.”
Any trial or persecution that we face in this life, no matter how terrible, cannot even come close to the greatness of the glory that God has in store for us eternally. Additionally, we are told that if “God is for us, who can be against us?...neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing, shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus” (verses 31, 38-39).
UYA Team | uya@ucg.org
United Young Adults (UYA) primarily serves the 18–32-year age group for the United Church of God. There are three main areas of contribution to the lives of the young adults: Promoting Spiritual Growth, Developing Meaningful Relationships and Making the Most of Your Talents. The Know Your Sword series is a daily expository message introducing God’s Word from a trusted perspective.
