Revelation 6:7-11: a reflection

7When he opened the fourth seal, I heard the fourth living creature saying, “Come and see!” 8And behold, a pale horse, and the name of he who sat on it was Death. Hades followed with him. Authority over one fourth of the earth, to kill with the sword, with famine, with death, and by the wild animals of the earth was given to him. 9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw underneath the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the Word of God, and for the testimony of the Lamb which they had. 10They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, Master, the holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” 11A long white robe was given to each of them. They were told that they should rest yet for a while, until their fellow servants and their brothers, who would also be killed even as they were, should complete their course.

As the seals of judgment are opened in John's vision, he sees under the altar the souls of those who had been killed for the word of God and their testimony. And they cry out with a loud voice: How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth? They are given white robes and told to rest a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants who would also be killed should be complete.

Notice the martyrs' cry and God's answer. Those who had suffered and died for their faith cry out for justice, asking how long the wrong will go unanswered. Their cry is heard; God does not ignore it or rebuke it. But the answer is not immediate justice; it is a call to rest and wait a little longer, until God's appointed time is complete. God hears the cry of his suffering people, and will surely bring justice; but in his wisdom, the justice waits for his time.

That speaks to us when we cry out for justice that seems long delayed. When we or others suffer wrong, and justice does not come, we may cry, as the martyrs did, How long, O Lord? And this vision assures us that God hears such cries; he has not forgotten the wrong, and he will surely bring justice. But it also calls us, as it called the martyrs, to rest and wait for God's time, trusting that the delay is not neglect. When you cry out for justice long delayed, know that God hears you, as he heard the martyrs under the altar. He will surely avenge and set right; but entrust the timing to him, and rest, as they were told to rest, until his appointed time is complete. The justice will come; wait for it in trust, held by the God who hears the cry of his own.

Lord, in John's vision the souls of those killed for their faith cried out under the altar, How long, O Lord, holy and true, until you judge and avenge our blood?, and they were given white robes and told to rest a little longer, until your appointed time was complete. Speak to me when I cry out for justice that seems long delayed. When I or others suffer wrong, and justice does not come, I may cry, as the martyrs did, how long? Assure me that you hear such cries; you have not forgotten the wrong, and you will surely bring justice. But help me also, as the martyrs were called, to rest and wait for your time, trusting that the delay is not neglect. When I cry out for justice long delayed, help me know that you hear me, as you heard the martyrs under the altar. You will surely avenge and set right; help me entrust the timing to you, and rest until your appointed time is complete. The justice will come; help me wait for it in trust, held by the God who hears the cry of his own.