Revelation 6:9-11

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne.  They cried out with a loud voice, “O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”  Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

The fifth seal gives John a vision of the martyrs that are in the presence of the Lord.  This gives us some insight into the current heaven where those who are dead in Christ currently reside.  The dead in Christ are not in some state of limbo or unconscious holding pattern awaiting the resurrection.  They are conscious and actively participating in the worship taking place in the presence of our Lord.

THE DEAD IN CHRIST ARE WITH THE LORD: Paul says that to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord.  John sees that this is true.  He sees the souls of those who were killed because of their testimony for Christ.  During the tribulation on the earth, those who turn to Christ as opposed to following the Antichrist will be greatly persecuted and many will be put to death.  This reality has been true throughout the course of history, and it continues to be true today.  Additionally, many believers die every day.  It is rational to presume that all who die in Christ are together with Christ.  They enjoy participating in the worship that constantly occurs around the throne.  The praise the Sovereign Lord and highlight His holiness and truthfulness.  

THE DEAD IN CHRIST CARE ABOUT THE EARTH: These people are asking the Lord how long it will be until the judgment of those who killed them.  This question reveals several things about those who are dead in Christ.  It reveals that they do not know everything and ask the Lord questions about things they don’t understand.  Only God will ever be omniscient.  We will keep expanding in our knowledge and awe of Him throughout eternity.  It also reveals that the dead in Christ are aware of what is happening on the earth and care deeply about it.  They remember their lives on earth and know that injustice is still taking place on the earth and they are eager for it to end.  God is a on mission and when we place our faith in Christ, we are given the privilege of joining Him on that mission.  It does not make sense that those who are in the presence of God would somehow be less engaged in the mission.  It appears that the dead in Christ care passionately about the mission of God on the earth and that they pray to Him about it.

THE DEAD IN CHRIST HAVE BODIES AND REST: In response to this inquiry, these people are given white robes to wear and told to rest awhile longer.  White robes are symbolic of purity provided through the sacrifice of Christ. However, the fact that they can wear robes seems to indicate that they have a body.  Even though they are awaiting the resurrection of the dead, they are very much alive in the presence of God and have a body.  This is likely a temporary body that will go through some sort of transformation at the resurrection.  Humans were created as physical beings and it appears that even between death and the resurrection a body is part of human reality.  Those who have died in Christ are resting and are told to continue to rest until the Lord has completed His mission on earth which includes more martyrdom.  Persecution is distressing for us but is certainly under the sovereign control of our Lord.

APPLICATION: Praise the Lord that we have an eternal hope that assures us that upon our death we will be in the presence of God.  Live on mission for the Lord.  As His children we are called to be a part of the “family business:” making disciples of all nations.  Take comfort in knowing that our loved ones in Christ are resting in the presence of our Lord and continue to be engaged in the mission. 

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