The Consolation of the Souls Under the Altar (verse 11)

11 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.

In verse 11, we see that each one of the saints under the altar were given a white robe and told to “rest a little longer.” The robe that is mentioned here was, in the original language, “a long, flowing garment of the victorious heavenly color.” That victorious heavenly color is the color “white.” We mentioned when we talked about the opening of the first seal—the white horse and its rider. Interestingly enough, the Greek word here that is translated “robe” is “stole.” We know what a “stole” is, but this is different. This is a long, flowing garment.

The saints had won the battle and they were now at rest. But, they were not, are not, yet in that final state of glory. This would not, and will not, be theirs until after the final judgment. They first have to rest a little time longer. What’s going to transpire during this continued period of rest? Well, there is going to be more persecution; there’s going to be more tribulation. It was in progress at that time, in that day, as John saw this vision. It continued after this point. It continues even today. There will be others who will be joining these ones who have already sacrificed their lives, who have been slain, if you will, on the altar for the Word of God and for their Testimony of the Word of God. There will be others to join them. Of course, this has been going on for, well, nineteen-hundred-plus years.

COSMIC DISRUPTIONS IN THE DAY OF THE LAMB’S WRATH (VERSES 12-17)

12 When He opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. 15 Then the kings of the earth and the great ones and the generals and the rich and the powerful, and everyone, slave and free, hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains, 16 calling to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who is seated on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb, 17 for the great day of Their wrath has come, and who can stand?” (ESV)

¹²I looked when He opened the sixth seal, and behold, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became like blood. ¹³And the stars of heaven fell to the earth, as a fig tree drops its late figs when it is shaken by a mighty wind. ¹⁴Then the sky receded as a scroll when it is rolled up, and every mountain and island was moved out of its place. ¹⁵And the kings of the earth, the great men, the rich men, the commanders, the mighty men, every slave and every free man, hid themselves in the caves and in the rocks of the mountains, ¹⁶and said to the mountains and rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of Him Who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb! ¹⁷For the great day of His wrath has come, and who is able to stand?” (NKJV)

The Sixth Seal – Cosmic Disruptions (verses 12-14)

12 When He opened the sixth seal, I looked, and behold, there was a great earthquake, and the sun became black as sackcloth, the full moon became like blood, 13 and the stars of the sky fell to the earth as the fig tree sheds its winter fruit when shaken by a gale. 14 The sky vanished like a scroll that is being rolled up, and every mountain and island was removed from its place. (ESV)

It’s evident that the opening of this sixth seal brings a judgment into view. Many scholars and writers and expositors are certain that what is in view here is the great and final judgment, the end of the world. They believe this is describing those events, but not, perhaps, those specific events. But once again, through the symbolic language, this apocryphal language that is being used here, this would describe that great and fateful day which will take place at the Lord’s return, when the earth is consumed by fire, when all will be brought before the judgment seat of Christ. That, certainly, can be fit in to what we read here.

However, let me present this from a little different approach and see if this does not meet with your understanding and approval, as well. Indeed, it is very obvious that there is a judgment of some kind which comes into view here with the opening of this sixth seal. We see that some great and catastrophic events are described. Once again, whether these are absolutely literal, or whether they are figurative in nature, could be discussed and debated.