June 12: GOD’S PERFECT PURPOSE
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 testimony which they held. Revelation 6:9
The statements regarding the first four seals are very brief, yet they state perfectly the myriad of activities in our world that swirl around the acceptance of, or the rejection of Christ. The four horsemen of the first four seals symbolize a pure message of salvation that came into the world being immediately followed by Satan’s opposition to that message. The gravitational pull against the gospel message is real. That Good News which is intended to lift us out of the pit of sin is opposed by one who wants to keep us in it. At the start we see the glory of a living and active faith that conquers sin and paves the way for blessings. But by the last, we see the terrible tragedy of spiritual death for those who reject all or part of that faith. It is true that the gospel message is divisive. It has the power to separate each one of us from our own sinful ways, but it also brings division between those individuals who choose the cleansing path toward heaven and those who pridefully reject it. The cunning of our enemy manifests itself most effectively by leading professed believers to reject only a part of the lifesaving instructions, leading to presumptuous sins which are equated with great transgression (Psalm 19:13). James 2:10 reminds us of the wholesome, wholistic nature and perfect purpose of God’s law (see also John 14:15 and Revelation 22:14). True belief in Christ invites and allows His Spirit to fulfill in me the requirements of the royal law in my daily life.*
If the number four symbolizes creation, the next number—five—represents the mercy and grace that is lavished over God’s beloved creation. The fifth seal is a wonderful reminder that He has not forgotten a single soul whose life in this fallen world was ended through martyrdom. As heartbreaking as the loss of life is for those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held, we must regard their precious testimony as the treasure that it is: a tool in the hand of the Savior to reap a greater harvest from among the lost for the perfect world that is to come. Death, all death, breaks the heart of our Creator and Savior, Jesus Christ.
In keeping with the symbolic nature of Revelation, we understand the souls under the altar which John saw in the same way as we understand God’s address to Cain after he murdered his younger brother: “The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground” (Genesis 4:10). In addition to being the first man who died, Abel was the first martyr. He was most definitely killed for his trusting obedience to God and the faith that looked forward to the Lamb of God (4:4).
God did not retract the consequences of His warning to Adam (Genesis 2:17), for He changes not (Malachi 3:6, Hebrews 13:8). Death spread to all, because all sinned (Romans 5:12). But the power of a pure faith lives by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God (Matthew 4:4). Beloved, if you believe in Jesus, then believe Him. Those who sleep in Christ will soon be awakened at His return. To them—all the way back to and including Abel—it will seem only the twinkling of an eye when the gift of immortality is graciously given (1 Corinthians 15:52-3).
*I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself for me. Galatians 2:20