Read Revelation 6:9-11.
And now the fifth seal. This seal opens up heaven to reveal the martyrs of God watching and waiting for God’s judgment on His enemies. They cry out to God, “How long… will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood?” It is from this scene that it would appear the judgment of God has not yet been cast upon His enemies on earth. Regardless of how severe the earlier seals were on the earth’s inhabitants, these were not the ultimate judgment and vengeance of God. Instead, the distress on earth is the fallout of God’s restraint being removed. Mankind is merely following his own natural course. So in this fifth seal, God tells the martyred saints to wait a little longer because the time of God’s wrath would soon come.
Comparing the fifth seal with Jesus’ words in Matthew 24, we might put the parallel at Matt. 24:9-14, where there will be an increase in persecution, false prophets, a turning away from the true God, and an increase in wickedness. Like the martyred saints in heaven, one must wonder and wish that God would stop the unjust persecution of the saints on earth. How could God let such injustice continue? Perhaps one of the reasons is that God desires that the gospel be delivered to all nations of the world regardless of the cost (after all, it did cost Jesus His life). God allows the saints to continue the work on earth despite their terrible treatment in order to preach the gospel to all nations (Matt. 24:14). Indeed, they will accomplish this task, and thereafter the birth pains will proceed into the sixth seal.
If you have ever wondered why God would have us suffer in this world, consider that it may be for the purposes of reaching those around us that need to hear the gospel. He loves the lost so much that He asks His children to suffer for their sakes. It might be easy to ask as the martyred saints in heaven do, “How long O Lord?” And the answer is, until they are all reached with the gospel. I’d like you to consider this week to handle your hardships well for the sake of the lost. People are watching. They know by how we handle hardship that the supernatural power of God is at work in us. What hardships will you face this week? How can you handle them in a way that reveals God’s love for the lost?