A Time to Die

Read Revelation 6:1–8:5

9. When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.
10. They shouted to the Lord and said, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?”
11. Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.
12. I watched as the Lamb broke the sixth seal, and there was a great earthquake. The sun became as dark as black cloth, and the moon became as red as blood.
13. Then the stars of the sky fell to the earth like green figs falling from a tree shaken by a strong wind. Revelation 6:9-13

It is easy to get caught up in the grimy details of our lives. We can become so mired in our problems that we fall in with the complainers. Then something convicting happens. We hear that someone else has suffered or died for believing in Christ. Suddenly our suffering seems paltry by comparison, and we ponder the question: What would we do in a situation like that?

This reading provides a vivid picture of those who have suffered for Christ and are patiently waiting in heaven for God to bring about justice. The news they receive is both good and bad—more will die for their faith. But God will judge the earth justly, and their deaths will be avenged.

After the Lamb (Christ) broke the fifth seal, John saw the souls of martyrs who had died for telling others about Christ. These martyrs had been killed “for the word of God and for being faithful in their witness.” They cried out to God for justice, asking when God would avenge their blood. Jesus told them to wait a little while longer, until they were joined by the others who had yet to be killed for their faith (Revelation 6:9-11).

In contrast to these saints, we seem to care more about getting justice for the petty inequities we suffer. A traffic ticket, a snide remark, or an accusation of bad motives can set us off on a holy crusade. How poorly those causes compare to the cause of these men and women who had entrusted themselves to Jesus.

Rest assured that God is perfectly just and good. He does not forget when a child of his suffers for doing right. He keeps accounts and will one day settle them. Wait for God to bring about justice instead of taking it into your own hands.