What is the meaning of Revelation 6:10? And they cried out in a loud voice The scene is the opening of the fifth seal. John sees “the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they had upheld” (Revelation 6:9). •Their location “under the altar” alludes to the Old Testament altar where blood was poured out (Leviticus 4:7), linking their sacrifice to worship. •Their loud cry shows full consciousness after death, echoing Stephen’s plea as he was dying (Acts 7:59–60) and Jesus’ own loud voice on the cross (Luke 23:46). •Scripture repeatedly portrays heaven hearing the saints’ voices—“The eyes of the LORD are on the righteous, and His ears are inclined to their cry” (Psalm 34:15). •Revelation again pictures redeemed voices united in praise—“Salvation to our God… and to the Lamb!” (Revelation 7:10). “How long, O Lord, holy and true,” The martyrs know the character of the One they address. •He is “Lord”—sovereign ruler (Psalm 103:19). •He is “holy”—utterly separate from sin (Revelation 15:3–4). •He is “true”—faithful to every promise (Revelation 3:7). Their question, “How long,” mirrors the repeated cry of God’s people throughout Scripture: •“How long, LORD? Will You forget me forever?” (Psalm 13:1–2). •“How long, LORD, must I call for help and You do not listen?” (Habakkuk 1:2). This is not impatience born of doubt but an appeal to God’s timetable. While He “is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish” (2 Peter 3:9), the saints long for His holiness to be displayed openly. until You judge those who dwell upon the earth “Those who dwell upon the earth” is Revelation’s recurring phrase for persistent unbelievers (3:10; 8:13; 13:8). •The martyrs expect literal, future judgment; the seals, trumpets, and bowls that follow answer their cry (Revelation 8–18). •God’s promise is sure: “He has set a day when He will judge the world in righteousness” (Acts 17:31). •Psalm 96:13 rejoices that “He is coming to judge the earth; He will judge the world in righteousness and the peoples in His faithfulness.” •This request also anticipates Christ’s return “in flaming fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God” (2 Thessalonians 1:6–10). and avenge our blood? They seek righteous vindication, not personal revenge. •God Himself declares, “Vengeance is Mine; I will repay” (Romans 12:19, citing Deuteronomy 32:35–43). •The very first murder cried out, “The voice of your brother’s blood is crying to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). God hears every injustice. •Revelation later celebrates the answer: “He has avenged the blood of His servants” (19:2). •Divine justice will be perfect, public, and proportionate, showing the moral clarity of God’s kingdom (Psalm 9:7–12). summary Revelation 6:10 reveals real people—redeemed yet martyred—speaking from heaven. Their loud plea affirms: •The conscious, worshipful life of believers after death. •The holiness, truthfulness, and sovereignty of Christ. •The certainty of a coming, literal judgment on the unrepentant. •God’s promise to vindicate every wrong done to His people. Their cry turns our hearts toward patient hope: the Lord will keep every promise, right every wrong, and display His glory in perfect justice. |
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