Revelation 6:9 kjv

And when he had opened the fifth seal, 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 6:9 nkjv

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 niv

When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained.

Revelation 6:9 esv

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.

Revelation 6:9 nlt

When the Lamb broke the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony.

Revelation 6 verses

Revelation 6 9 Meaning

When the Lamb opened the fifth seal, the apostle John was granted a vision of the souls of martyrs positioned symbolically "under the altar." These were individuals who had been violently killed because of their unwavering faithfulness to God's revealed truth and their steadfast witness to Jesus Christ. Their location signifies that their lives were a consecrated offering to God, akin to sacrifices made at the altar, and from this place of divine proximity, they raised a collective plea for justice and vindication for their spilled blood. The verse highlights the divine recognition of martyrdom, affirming the enduring presence and significance of those who suffer and die for Christ's name.

Revelation 6 9 Context

Revelation chapter 6 describes the opening of the first six seals by the Lamb, signifying progressive stages of God's judgments upon the earth and revelations concerning the ongoing conflict between God's kingdom and worldly powers. The initial four seals unveil destructive forces—conquest, war, famine, and death—affecting humanity. The fifth seal, however, shifts the focus dramatically from earthly consequences to the heavenly reality and perspective of those who have died for their faith. This verse thus stands as a vital interlude, highlighting the immense spiritual significance of martyrdom amidst the unfolding cataclysms, establishing a powerful connection between earthly suffering for truth and divine recognition. Historically, John’s audience in Asia Minor faced severe Roman persecution for their refusal to worship Caesar, making the vision of revered martyrs under the altar profoundly relevant and encouraging.

Revelation 6 9 Word analysis

• When He opened: Referring to the Lamb, Jesus Christ, who alone is worthy to open the scrolls and execute God's plan, signifying His sovereign authority over unfolding events and judgments (Rev 5:2-5).

• the fifth seal: Represents a specific stage in God's prophetic timetable of revelation and judgment, shifting focus from general earthly woes to the specific fate and divine concern for martyrs.

• I saw: John’s vision, indicating direct divine revelation through symbolic imagery.

• under the altar (Greek: hypo to thysiastērion): Symbolically significant location. In Old Testament sacrificial practices, the blood of sacrifices was often poured out at the base of the altar (e.g., Lev 4:7). This signifies that the martyrs’ lives were considered sacred offerings to God, their deaths an ultimate act of worship, and their blood is presented before God as an intercession for justice, akin to a sacrificial offering. It suggests a place of honor, protection, and intercession.

• the souls (Greek: psychas): Not merely disembodied spirits in a detached sense, but the conscious, living essence of persons who have died, capable of awareness, recognition, and expressing a plea to God (as seen in Rev 6:10). This affirms life beyond physical death.

• of those who had been slain (Greek: esphagmenōn): This participle indicates violent, sacrificial killing, a term often used for a slaughter or execution. It specifically implies martyrdom, dying for a cause, connecting their death directly to the suffering and sacrifice of the Lamb, who was also "slain" (Rev 5:6).

• for the word of God (Greek: dia ton logon tou Theou): The primary reason for their martyrdom. This refers to their faithfulness to God’s truth, the revealed Gospel, and the divine message. Their allegiance to God's revelation made them enemies of prevailing ungodly systems.

• and for the testimony (Greek: kai dia tēn martyrian): This word, martyria, is the root of the English word "martyr." It refers to their active witness, declaration, or profession of faith in Jesus Christ, even unto death. Their life and death served as a living testimony to Christ’s truth.

• which they held (Greek: hēn eichon): This implies their steadfast and tenacious adherence to their faith and witness, even under extreme pressure, refusal to recant or compromise, signifying deep conviction and loyalty to Christ despite the cost.

• "under the altar the souls of those who had been slain": This phrase paints a vivid picture of divine recognition and honor for those who have died for their faith. Their lives, having been poured out, are presented to God as holy sacrifices, now in His direct presence. It also carries a legal implication of blood spilled seeking justice, echoing the cry of Abel's blood from the ground.

• "for the word of God and for the testimony which they held": This dual phrase defines the unshakeable foundation of the martyrs' lives and the reason for their deaths. It signifies their steadfast adherence to God's revealed truth and their active witness to Christ, highlighting that persecution arose from both their internal belief and their outward proclamation. This commitment distinguished them sharply from those who succumbed to compromise.

Revelation 6 9 Bonus section

The vision of the fifth seal also highlights the continuity between the suffering church on earth and the triumphant assembly in heaven. The martyrs are not extinguished or forgotten but are vibrant, conscious entities awaiting divine justice and resurrection. Their question "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?" (Rev 6:10) demonstrates their active awareness, their fervent desire for God's righteousness to prevail, and their understanding that God’s timetable for justice is ultimately in His sovereign hand. This interaction underscores that martyrdom is a crucial element in the unfolding drama of God's redemptive plan, linking the church’s endurance on earth to God's final establishment of justice and peace. It's a reminder that earthly persecution is perceived and addressed from a heavenly perspective, assuring believers that God does not abandon His faithful ones.

Revelation 6 9 Commentary

Revelation 6:9 provides a profound glimpse into the heavenly sanctuary, revealing God's immediate and loving embrace of those who perish for His name. The depiction of "souls under the altar" is a powerful symbolic image: it signifies that the martyrs' lives were a fragrant offering to God, their very blood poured out as a holy sacrifice. Their location implies not a place of despair, but one of honored communion and expectant appeal before the divine throne. This verse brings immense comfort and assurance to believers undergoing persecution, affirming that their suffering is not unnoticed or meaningless in God's eyes. It underscores that loyalty to "the word of God" and maintaining "the testimony of Jesus" are fundamental principles that may exact the ultimate cost but secure eternal vindication and a place of honor with God. Their plea for justice sets the stage for God's coming judgment on their oppressors, showing that divine vengeance, though delayed, is certain.