Our Text …
“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 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.”
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Thousands of deaths, violent ones apparently, and not one gory detail! Just this, “slain for the Word of God!”
In the video class I tried to give lots of information about these three verses. Watch it if you can.
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Here’s one verse that makes me believe Jesus’ Blood in right now in Heaven!
Hebrews 9:12 … “Neither by the blood of goats and calves, but by (dia = translated as ‘with’ 16x) his own blood he entered in once into the holy place, having obtained eternal redemption for us.”
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Blood literally poured at foot of the brazen altar …
Exodus 29:12 … And thou shalt take of the blood of the bullock, and put it upon the horns of the altar with thy finger, and pour all the blood beside the bottom of the altar.
Leviticus 4:7 … And the priest shall put some of the blood upon the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the LORD, which is in the tabernacle of the congregation; and shall pour all the blood of the bullock at the bottom of the altar of the burnt offering, which is at the door of the tabernacle of the congregation.
These “pourings” are acts of worship, obviously. And so were the deaths of these martyrs! They died worshipping God, as did Stephen and as did Paul! Jesus certainly did as well!
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I did not get to share this note …
The only previous “group” with a “loud voice,” many as one …
Revelation 5:11-12 … And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.
Revelation 6:10 … And they (tribulation martyrs) 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?
In Revelation 5, the voices are raised in praise!
In Revelation 6, the voices are raised in petition, prayer!
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Revelation 2:10 makes me believe there must be a special reward for those special folks who are martyrs for Jesus’ sake.
“Fear none of those things which thou shalt suffer: behold, the devil shall cast some of you into prison, that ye may be tried; and ye shall have tribulation ten days: be thou faithful unto death, and I will give thee a crown of life.”
A Crown of Life!
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Someone observed … “Martyrs do not die of old age!”
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These living (and then dying) sacrifices asked the Lord “How long?”
Is this sanctified impatience, perhaps? It certainly is a common Bible Prayer!
Psalm 6:3 … My soul is also sore vexed: but thou, O LORD, how long?
Psalm 13:1-2 … Of David … How long wilt thou forget me, O LORD? for ever? How long wilt thou hide thy face from me? How long shall I take counsel in my soul, having sorrow in my heart daily? How long shall mine enemy be exalted over me?
Psalm 35:17 … Lord, how long wilt thou look on?
Psalm 89:46 … How long, LORD? wilt thou hide thyself for ever?
Psalm 94:3 … LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph?
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Now, here is the easiest way to watch the class …
— Dr. Mike Bagwell
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