“When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the witness they had borne. They cried out with a loud voice, ‘O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?'” (Revelation 6:9-10 ESV).
There are those who subscribe to the belief that human beings transition to a formless oblivion when they depart from this earthly life. That realm is said to encompass a state where consciousness ends and individual identities disappear. But let’s consider that view in relation to our text from Revelation 6:9-10.
We should first note that the people described in this passage did not cease to exist at the end of their mortal lives. Equally significant is the fact that they were not absorbed into a “universal consciousness” when they passed from this life. Instead, their individual identities clearly remained. Finally, they also retained the ability to think, speak, feel, and remember. This passage thus reveals an important truth concerning the afterlife: while death may represent the end of our physical lives, it does not represent the end of us.
The presence of these souls beneath the altar suggests a link to those sacrificial offerings that were poured out at the base of the altar in the Old Testament era. In a similar manner, these individuals sacrificed their lives “…for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held” (KJV). Nevertheless, they also presented the almighty God with a forthright question: “…’Master, you are holy and faithful! How long will it be before you judge and punish the people of this earth who killed us?'” (CEV). That question led to the following response…
“Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been” (Revelation 6:11).
Revelation 6:11 reminds us that we may also be called upon to exercise patience when others commit injustices against us. Although patience often represents a challenging virtue, its important to recognize that God’s justice may unfold on a timetable that is influenced by factors that are beyond our immediate comprehension. Nevertheless, we can be certain that God will vindicate us if we allow Him to do so according to His divine schedule.
Therefore, we would do well to remember the truth that underlies an ancient adage: “The wheels of God’s justice grind slowly, but they grind exceedingly fine.”