The Fifth Seal

By Ashley R. Clarkson
1 October, 2002

"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held:" - Revelation 6:9

Martyrs for the Faith

With the first four seal judgements unleashed upon the earth, things are in a bad way. While civilians and soldiers die, the night is interrupted by the flashes of artillery fire, the screaming of jets and the shattering of bombs. Wild beasts prow the earth, in search of humans to devour, and across the planet millions lie dying from hunger and plague. For some the apparency of the cause behind this madness will have dawned, and tempted by the devils so long restrained, they will try to "get even" with God - by attacking his children.

The Fifth Seal

"And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled." - Revelation 6:9-11

Throughout history people have moved to pass the blame, and when that hasn't worked, to unleash vengeance on those that they perceive caused them the judgement that they brought upon themselves. This will take a very sinister turn for Christians. For those who have come to trust in the Lord since he took his children to safety prior to the Tribulation, they will face the very sacrifice that so few of us are faced with today - that of their lives for their faith. The unleashing of the Fifth Seal sees the angry citizens of Earth looking for someone to blame, and the scapegoats according to the devils that guide them are God's children.

This is an interesting judgement, because it seems that the people of Earth, apart from those brethren feeling the wrath of humanity, are not judged. But not so. This seal brings forth a polarisation, to those who will accept Christ and are prepared to die for it, and those who have been going along with the "Christian scene" for a while (just as it is now) but cannot bear to put their life down for that of eternal life will melt away to those facing judgement. Here is a clear signal - either join Christ's side and in all likelihood lay down your life for eternal life, or try and hold on to your life, endure the judgements and in all likelihood lose it gaining nothing but eternal damnation. Kill God's children and you will face judgement, and vengeance.

Note that this is not an incident that happens in a very short period of time. Whilst the souls who are slain rest for awhile, their numbers will slow as their fellow brethren still on the earth below attempt to survive by themselves. There will be no underground resistance to help them like the Jews in World War Two, they are all on their own. Eventually God will have his vengeance upon the people of Earth, but until then, they are at the mercy of Satan and the Devils, and those that are wittingly or unwittingly choosing his side in the final stages of the war between Satan and God.