(9) 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: (10) 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? (11) And white robes were given unto everyone 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.
The opening of this fifth seal by Christ, opens with one of the most interesting subjects our minds, under the influence of grace, can possibly conceive. I shall beg the Reader's indulgence, to be somewhat particular upon it.
And first: the cry of those that had been slain for the testimony of Jesus, is beautifully represented, as under the Altar. Now this proves to us, that on, the departure of the faithful from this world they enter among the spirits of just men made perfect. They are under the Altar.
Secondly. They are not unacquainted with the circumstances here below, but take part in all that concerns the Church. Hence their cry, for judging, and avenging Christ's cause, what an animating thought to the Church of God upon earth! Reader! think of the multitude of martyrs, who are looking over the battlements of heaven, beholding the exercises of the Lord's people here below, Surely, with the eye of faith we may behold them! Yea, with the ear of faith hear them calling upon us, to be faithful unto death, and God will give us also a crown of glory that fadeth not away! Be ye followers of us, who now through faith and patience, inherit the promises.
Thirdly. While we regard what is here said, of their cry to God, for avenging their blood; and the assurance they here received, that all should be fully done, in due season; let us learn, the highest lesson we can learn below, in the assurance, how much more the blood of Christ, yea, Christ in Person, having carried up his own blood before the throne, must plead for his redeemed, and the destruction of all his enemies. Oh! how safe and sure, how eternally safe and sure, are all the interests of the Church! How unalterably determined, is the everlasting ruin of all the enemies of our God, and his Christ!
When the Reader hath duly pondered these things, let him attend to the gracious answers the Lord gave to the cry of those souls, and the blessedness shown them.
First. Their souls were clothed with white robes, yea, everyone of them, had his own separate and distinct robe, as each soul hath his separate and distinct mansion. Jesus's garment of salvation, each redeemed soul must appear in. It is his justifying dress. It is his coronation, his wedding robe. By this Jesus owns his Church, in every individual instance of his people. So the Lord had said to John, of the few names he had in Sardis. And here we find it confirmed. They shall walk with me in white, saith the Lord, for they are worthy, Revelation 3:4
Secondly. The Lord assigns a reason, for suspending the judgments they called for on their murderers. There were other, their fellow servants, to have the crown of martyrdom. And, therefore, until those men, ordained of old to this condemnation, had filled in the measure of their iniquity, and the Lord's people were ripened for glory, they must rest for a little season. Oh! what subjects of endless meditation and delight, arise out of this one view of the Lord's regard to his people. Did the ungodly but know wherefore they are spared, or did the Lord's people but call to mind, in ten thousand instances, the causes of suspension, in all the numberless cases they hear of, or meet with in the world; how would the one tremble, and the other in patience possess their souls?
Thirdly. Ponder well the Lord's answer, in another point of view, for the suspension of the destruction of their enemies; in that thousands yet unborn, of the Lord's people, were to arise, to whom those enemies were to be persecutors, and whose happiness was to be increased from such evils. What a subject is here unfolded, and which no man can fill in, of the unborn, the uncalled, the unawakened, of the Lord's hidden ones, all of which are given to Jesus, and which also he must bring. Even down to our times, and so on to the end of the world, there are Jesus's lambs of his fold, which must arise and be worried by wolves, as the Lord told the Jews. Some of them shall ye kill and crucify, and some of them scourge in jour synagogue, and persecute them from city to city, Matthew 23:34. know, therefore, they which are gone before must rest under the altar, until that their fellow servants and their brethren be brought home. Yea, it is on their account, that the world itself standeth!
Fourthly. Let not the Reader overlook that beautiful feature in this representation. The souls under the altar in, heaven, are fellow servants and brethren. So the Lord himself hath here called them; and it is our mercy to know it, and to keep it in remembrance, Neither are they dearer though in heaven, to our glorious Head, than we are, though here below on earth. All alike the Father's gift, and the Saviour's purchase, and the subjects of God the Spirit's regenerating grace. Oh! how ought the consciousness of this to endear Jesus to our hearts! Our Lord will not fully answer, the cries of his redeemed in heaven, though martyrs to his cause, until that he hath secured his redeemed upon earth, and brought them also home to glory. Reader! think of these things, and bless the Lord for such tokens of his love.