EXPLAINATION FOR SOULS UNDER THE ALTAR – REVELATION 6.9

 

There are three occurrences where souls slain for the testimony of Y’shua appear in the book of Revelation. All of these occurrences show these souls “resting” until the first resurrection. If these Scriptures are isolated from their context, one can come up with a theory to prove any number of illegitimate conclusions. These verses have been used to prove that the pre-tribulation or secret mid-tribulation rapture has resulted in these souls being held in an area under the base of the altar, and told to be quiet until their Jewish brothers are killed. They have also been used to “prove” that we are already in the millennial reign. Isolated sentences can be irrational and misleading when separated from the context of the whole, but paint a perfectly logical picture within the framework of the context. Any Scriptures that are isolated to prove that the Saints will be taken out before the revealing of the man of sin at the time of the abomination of desolation, are twisted Scriptures.

 

Figuratively, our souls will cry out for vengeance. It is a “figure” of speech.

 

We will cry out from under the altar of sacrifice, where our lives and souls were poured out. And figuratively we are given white robes, because our righteous acts will follow us to the other side of the grave; to the resurrection and eternal life. These martyrs for the witness of Jesus rest from their labors, but their acts of righteousness follow them. They rest until the resurrection at the last trumpet, but their reward is sure. Abel, too, cries out from under the altar of sacrifice. His blood, or life, also cried out from the ground in which Cain attempted to hide him. These are pictures, figures which paint the pathos of God. The Love, the commitment, the sacrifice, the horror, the grief, the vengeance, the timing, and the reward are all here in this painting of the brazen altar of sacrifice before the throne of God.

 

The next occurrence of the souls of the martyrs is found after Y’shua’s return at the battle of Armageddon to set up his throne on earth for 1,000 years. Revelation 20:4-5, And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them. And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Y’shua, and for the word of God, (and which had not worshiped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands); these are the fellow servants and brethren of those who were being martyred before the great tribulation and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years. (But the rest of the dead lived not again until the thousand years were finished). This is the first resurrection.

 

Does this Scripture say that only those who were beheaded for the witness of Y’shua will be raised at the first of the remaining two resurrections? No. The emphasis here is the pay back to those who have remained faithful through the darkest hour of man’s days on earth. It also indicates that those who are not faithful will not see the resurrection until the great white throne judgment at the end of the thousand years. I would much rather have a part in this first and “better” resurrection. Those who have a part in this first resurrection will not have any possibility in experiencing the second death. It behooves us to be found faithful to the end.

 

The next occurrence of those who are blessed because they have endured to the end of their shortened lives, appears in one of the parentheticals after the last trump is sounded: Revelation 14:13, And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, “Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord. From henceforth (yea, saith the Spirit), they may rest from their labors; and their works do follow them.” (KJV)

 

From the moment that we die in the Lord, we rest from our labors and our works follow us. This statement appears after the condemnation of those who give in to receiving the mark of the beast. The statement also appears at the beginning of the scene where Y’shua is seen on a cloud, thrusting in his sickle to harvest the earth. After his harvest, the angels are shown harvesting the grapes of wrath to be crushed in the winepress of the wrath of God (Rev 14:14-20).

 

Armageddon. However, in verse 13 we see the complement of chapter 6 verse 11: Revelation 6:11... and white robes were given unto those slain souls, and it was said to them, “rest ...until ... their fellow servants and brothers are killed and ... all is fulfilled.”

 

White robes represent the righteousness of the saints (Rev 19:7-8). Those who have died in the Lord and have made themselves ready by keeping his words and works, rest from their labor. They know that their works of righteousness follow them past the grave to the resurrection. No one can take away their reward. It is over and they have endured to the end. They have kept his works. They have overcome. They have not taken the easy road, but now they rest. And we see at the end, that it is all worth the effort: ...and they lived and reigned with Messiah a thousand years.