Jesus warned the disciples, “Then they will deliver you
to tribulation, and will kill you” (Matthew 24:9). The
persecution of Matthew 24:9 is not just of the Jews, but is
a persecution against any believer in Jesus Christ, Jew or
Gentle. The souls of those John saw under the altar are
those who accepted Christ because of the preaching mentioned
in Matthew 24:14, and this is undoubtedly carried out in
part by the 144,000 mentioned in Revelation 7. The period
called, “the beginning of sorrows,” the first half of the
Tribulation, is now over. The Prince of Daniel 9:26-27
breaks his covenant with Israel, manifests his true beastly
character, and begins to persecute Israel along with all
believers in Christ. This will coincide with the events of
Revelation 12:7-17.
Some think that because these martyrs are “under the altar”
the altar must be the altar of incense, otherwise they would
have been seen on the altar. If this is the altar of
sacrifice, it is significant that they are seen under it,
not on it. The sacrificial animals were placed on the altar,
killed there, their blood spilled and the animal burned to
consume the sacrifice. However, these sacrificial animals
anticipated God’s Lamb, the Lord Jesus. Only Christ, the
true Lamb of God, our Passover, is qualified to be placed on
the altar to die for our sins and give access into God’s
presence. These, however, are under it, under the blood or
under the substitutionary death of Christ, and thereby saved
and in heaven by the person and work of Jesus Christ.
The point is, as believers in Christ, they too share in the
world’s hatred of Christ, and as living sacrifices for
Christ they are slain, as martyrs and witnesses for the Lord
(Romans 12:1). Undoubtedly, by their death and the way they
die others will come to know Christ.
Verse 10, “Cried out with a loud voice” stresses the
earnestness of their cry and concern. These saints are in
heaven, with no sinful natures and in God’s blessed
presence. However, they cry out for justice. This is not a
cry for revenge, but for God’s justice and righteousness to
prevail on earth against the sin and the atrocities of man
in rebellion to God. As in the disciples’ prayer, “Your
kingdom come,” they are praying for the second advent which
ushers in God’s righteous and just reign on earth.
The question “How long” indicates they recognize the Lord as
the Sovereign One in control of all the affairs of the earth
and the universe. “Holy” refers to God’s absolute just and
righteous character, as one totally set apart from sin. It
is the expectation, much as with the prophet in Habakkuk
1:13, anticipating God’s holy justice to be poured out
against an evil and rebellious world. “True” stresses God’s
veracity but also the fact He is the true and genuine Ruler
of the world as opposed to the usurper, Satan.
“Will you refrain from judging?” These saints are acting on
the truth of Romans 12:19, “Never take your own revenge,
beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is
written, Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,” says the Lord.”
Verse 11, the martyrs are each given a “white robe” to
symbolize their fully redeemed state and the gift of
righteousness by Jesus Christ. Since Tribulation saints
along with the Old Testament saints are not resurrected
until after the Tribulation described by Daniel as “a time
of distress such as never occurred since there was a nation
until that time” (Daniel 12:1-2), some have suggested that
these martyrs are given temporary heavenly bodies. The robes
spoken of here may simply be the symbol of the fact they are
clothed in the righteousness of God as believers in Christ.
Further, they are told they “should rest for a little while
longer.” Based on the fact their labors and trials are over
and they are now in the presence and protection of the Lord,
they are told, “you yourself, enjoy your rest; leave it in
God’s hands, for soon justice will be done.”
They are also told to wait “A little while longer” this
refers to the remaining time of the Tribulation. Until the
end of the Tribulation believers will suffer persecution and
death on behalf of Christ as a proof of their love of
Christ, the reality of God, and as a testimony to the world
that God is worthy of the creature’s worship and obedience.
“Completed,” stresses the divine providence and purpose of
God in the deaths of the martyrs. They are not without God’s
knowledge or without God’s control or concern.
