The Fifth Seal – Revelation 6: 9-11

The Fifth Seal. (A.D. 303-311)

Rev. 6. 9-11

Although God’s judgments on the Roman Empire under the Fourth Seal had been terrible, the time of its demise had not yet arrived. A notable fact emerges from the Apocalypse. Where each of the first four seals had been opened by one of the four “Living Creatures”, the fifth was not so opened. The four living creatures were originally associated with God’s united people in the wilderness.

Under the first four seals the Christian community had been united and firm in their adherence to the true teachings of Christ and the apostles. However under the fifth seal they fell away from their former state, and such decline seems to be indicated by this seal not being initiated by the living creature acting on behalf of the Christians. The judgments of this seal were to fall upon the Christians themselves.

John’s record (verse 9) is, “I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held”. He further records that they cried, “How long O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell upon the earth”.

Now the world of Christendom would believe the scripture to refer to immortal souls, and even Christendom does not profess to be able to see” a man’s “soul”. We must look to the scripture itself for the explanation.

The term “altar” is a reference to the Lord Jesus Christ. In Hebrews 13. 10 we read, “We have an altar whereof they have no right to eat which serve the tabernacle”, and further, “Wherefor Jesus also that He might sanctify the people with His own blood, suffered without the camp”. But how can Christ be an altar? God’s directions concerning the altar are found in Exodus 20. 24-25 and Deut. 27. 5. Either earth or stone could be used, but no human tool or device was to be used to shape either the stone or earth. Earth and stone symbolise human nature. Unhewn stones symbolise human nature fashioned by the Almighty. It was necessary that the altar itself should first be cleansed (Exod. 29. 36-37) and then “whatsoever toucheth the altar shall be holy”. We “touch” or come in contact with the altar when we are baptised.

When the blood of the sacrifice was poured out, this was indicative of the “life”, for we are told “The life thereof is in the blood thereof”-“It is the blood that maketh an atonement for the soul.” The “souls” represent the class of people who were slain for the word of God and their testimony. Vast numbers of true Christians were slain because of their testimony for the Truth. They were “under the altar” because they lay buried in the earth. Their blood like that of righteous Abel, cried out figuratively to God, for vengeance. “Vengeance is mine saith the Lord, I will repay.” The saints are not allowed to retaliate in this present time.

In answer to their plea of “How long” before God’s vengeance would be poured on the persecutors, they were told a little time would elapse, during which their “fellow-servants” or nominal Christians and “brethren” or true Christians, would also be put to death as they (of earlier time) had been.

They were given “white Robes”. White is the symbol of righteousness and indicates that they would eventually receive eternal life (See Rev. 19. 8 and 1 John 2. 25).

The little time was to end during the sixth seal.

Another notable feature of the scripture is in the word “Lord”–“O Lord holy and true.” This word Lord is “despotes” meaning “despot” or one with despotic power and who is to be worshipped. While Diocletian in whose reign the fifth seal opened was at first firm yet tolerant to the Christians, he was prevailed upon by those close to him to oppress the Christians. He was treated as a god and demanded to be worshipped as such. It was useless for the Christians to appeal to the earthy -despot” or “god”, their petitions were therefore directed in prayer to the “Despot holy and true”—the Creator who alone could succour them.

Terrible persecutions broke out against Christ’s brethren, so that simple death was to be preferred, rather than the dreadful suffering which was the lot of most of the saints. The Roman feast of Terminalia in the year 303 was decided on as the date on which the Christian religion was to be terminated. Books were burnt, buildings destroyed, and believers put to death, by order of the emperor. It was a shocking period. Diocletian and Maximian had become joint rulers with the title of Augustus, and two lesser rulers, Galerius and Constantius, were called “Casar”. Galerius was particularly bitter against the Christians.

In the year 305 Diocletian and Maximian abdicated, Constantius and Galerius becoming Augusti, and Maximin and Licinius were appointed as Caesars. Later Maximian resumed the office of Emperor and appointed his son Maxentius to power. Maxentius and Constantius ruled in the West and tolerated the Christians. On the death of Constantius, his son Constantine arose to power in the west and continued his father’s policy toward the servants of Christ. An edict of toleration was assented to by Constantine, Galerius and Licinius. Galerius died in A.D. 311 and his dominion was added to Maximin. Maximin however perpetrated terrible persecutions on the Christians, but eventually was driven insane by his own acts. It is said that he confessed his guilt and implored forgiveness from Christ. However whether this was so or not, his death brought blessed relief to Christ’s brethren.

Great things lay ahead. Paganism which had triumphed for so long, was shortly to be removed. With Constantine’s coming to power a vast change would come over the empire. These things are comprehended in the sixth seal.