THE BOOK OF REVELATION IS A BREATHTAKING DRAMA. From Chapter One to Chapter Twenty-two, except Chapters Two and Three, are in every case a living theatrical production. John saw the Book come alive before his face. There will probably be at least fifty articles in this series about what John saw. Do not miss one of them for they make the Book of Revelation a “Living Picture” and simple for you to teach others and to awake lost souls. The word “saw” or synonyms of that word are used over sixty times in twenty chapters of the Book Of Revelation.
No picture in this revelation is more graphic than the multitude of dying or dead saints, martyred for their faith in Jesus Christ. This vast number are clearly the multitudes that missed the Rapture but repented and became willing sacrifices for Christ. This scene shows up first in Chapters Six almost as soon as the Seven Years of the Great Tribulation begins.
When the Lamb of God had opened the fifth seal, the text tells us what John saw. “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 6:9b) They were physically dead but yet alive. They had been martyred but were now awaiting their resurrection. Their death had been so gruesome that even in this glorious place and clearly beyond the instrument of their death they were pained to remember how they died. John saw and heard as they cried aloud. “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?” (Revelation 6:10) I know of no place in Scripture where death did not hide the suffering that preceded the death. But this is the Great Tribulation of which Jesus said, “For then shall be great tribulation, such as was not since the beginning of the world to this time, no, nor ever shall be. And except those days should be shortened, there should no flesh be saved: but for the elect’s sake those days shall be shortened.” (Saint Matthew 24:21-22)
John saw them given “white robes” and told to rest and await as the carnage continued on the earth. These were the first to turn to Jesus Christ and die by the “One World Religious System” and the government powers of the “One World Order”. These already put to death or martyred for their new found faith could rejoice that death has spared them from the ongoing calamity on earth. John wrote what he saw happen to them. “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 fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” (Revelation 6:11)
This drama gives us a picturesque view of the hellish treatment awaiting anyone that misses the Rapture and even thinks to be saved. The cost of discipleship today does not touch the cost of discipleship after the Rapture. The devil will have lost the prize of the “Bride of Christ” he so determined to destroy. The remnant repenting will be seen as the last vestige of our present effort to warn the world. He will shake his fist at us in heaven while he slaughters our sons and daughters left behind. “And the dragon was wroth with the woman, and went to make war with the remnant of her seed, which keep the commandments of God, and have the testimony of Jesus Christ.” (Revelation 12:17)
John does not just view their death and the sorrows of such horrible suffering. He sees the triumph also. We move to Chapter Seven and this great multitude that have died are no longer under the altar but caught up to be guest at the wedding supper. They can no longer count on being in the Bride but can be part of the great banquet celebration. They are a multitude from all over the earth. There is no longer a heathen world that has never heard the name of Jesus. Both the lie of Lucifer and the truth of Jesus Christ is known by all the earth’s population.
All nations will know and will be a part of these scenes.“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands; And cried with a loud voice, saying, Salvation to our God which sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb.” (Revelation 7:9-10) There will certainly be an incredible number of those that know enough of the Gospel and truth to quickly repent of their unprepared spiritual condition. I believe the vast population of heathens, false religions, and post-Christian churches will now learn the truth and have the privilege for the price of martyrdom for Christ. Do not miss a later scene that John the Revelator saw that we will call “The Guest At the Wedding Supper.”
Joseph R, Chambers