Introduction: Who are the “souls under the altar”? What are they doing? Why would God allow them to be killed? Does the Lord answer their cry? When? How?

1. Who are these “souls under the altar”?

“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.” (Rev 6:9)

These are Martyred Missionaries….tribulation saints. Please do not confuse the word “saints” with the Church.

2. What are they doing?

“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?” (Rev 6:10)

The tribulation saints who have been martyred are crying out to Jesus and asking Him to pay back those who have harmed them.

The word “avenge” is ἐκδικέω (ek-dik-eh’-o), which means to vindicate, to give justice over, defend, avenge.

3. Why would God allow them to be killed?

“11And 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.” (Rev 6:11)

4. When will “the souls under the altar” be avenged?

“4And 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 Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.” (Rev 20:4)

5. What does this mean to you and me today?

“How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood.” (Rev 6:9)