Fifth Seal – Prayer Releasing Judgment (Revelation 6:9-11)
When He (Jesus) opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar (golden altar of incense) the souls of those
who had been slain for the word of God...10 And they (End-Time martyrs) cried with a loud voice, saying,
"How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?"
11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while
longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were,
was completed. (Revelation 6:9-11)
I. INTRODUCTION
A. The fifth seal is the turning point of the Book of Revelation.
B. The fifth seal is the release of a Holy Spirit prayer movement that partners with Jesus in releasing God’s judgment on
the unrighteous. The fifth seal is often misunderstood because of seeing martyrdom as ‘the key event’ of the seal. Each of
the seven seals release God’s judgment on rebellious people.
C. The judgment dimension of the fifth seal is not on the martyrs. Martyrdom as the judgment is not in keeping with other
judgments of this series. The significance of fifth seal is missed by seeing it as martyrdom. Martyrdom is not judgment
from God on the righteous but a sin perpetrated by the wicked.
D. When God lifts His restraining hand off man, then they destroy one another with martyrdom as the result. Revelation 19:2
reveals that God’s zeal to release His judgments is aroused by martyrdom.
E. The judgment dimensions of each seal increase in intensity as they unfold. The fifth seal is more severe than the four
that precede it. The fourth seal resulted in one fourth of the population of the earth dying unnatural deaths.
F. Unjust treatment of the righteous in the first four seals (Revelation 6:1-8) was turned to prayer in heaven (Revelation
6:10). The blood of saints has a dynamic impact bringing forth fearless dedication to the prayer movement. Prayer
intensifies in context to martyrdom.
G. The prayer movement releases a fierceness of God’s wrath (Revelation 19:15). Currently, unbelievers have no fear of
the prayer movement. They do not know that the blood of martyrs will fuel the prayer movement to the next level in the
Spirit. Martyrdom sets into motion a domino effect in the Spirit as it stirs up a ‘holy hornets nest.’
H. The fifth seal releases the sixth seal, which begins a new order of judgment in the seven trumpets and bowls of wrath.
The first four seals were released by wicked people acting against each other. From the sixth seal to Armageddon the
Divine judgments are supernatural events that do not have natural origins.
II. END-TIME PRAYER MOVEMENT: THE ULTIMATE CONCERT OF PRAYER
A. The End-Time prayer movement consists of the convergence of the heavenly intercession of the saints with Jesus and
the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26, 34; Psalm 2:7-9; Revelation 22:17) combined with the prayers of the Church
(Revelation 5:8) on earth releasing God’s full favor on the saints (Daniel 7:22) and God’s judgments (Psalm 149:6-9).
B. End-Time prayer movement: Prayer on earth (Revelation 22:17; 5:8; 8:3-4; Luke 18:7-8; Romans 8:26; Matthew
25:1-13; Isaiah 62:6-7; 63:7-64:12; 24:14-16; 25:9; 26:8-9; 27:2-5, 13; 30:18-19; 42:10-13; 43:26; 51:11; 52:8;
Joel 2:12-17, 32; Zechariah 13:9d; John 17:21-26; Jeremiah 31:7; Micah 5:3-4; Zephaniah 2:1-3; Deuteronomy 4:27-31;
Psalm 10:17; 72:11-14; 91:15; 102:17-20.) Prayer in eternity occurring now (Revelation 5:8-13; 6:10; 7:9-12; 8:1-6;
15:2-4; 19:1-6; Psalm 2:7-9; John 17:21-26; Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26, 34; Joel 3:16; Revelation 4:5-11).
C. Premise – the Holy Spirit who inspires intercession in heaven will inspire the same intercession in the Church on earth
so that there is profound unity in the End-Times prayer ministry. In other words, we will pray in God’s will on earth as they
do in heaven (Matthew 6:10). The prayer ministry in heaven gives us great insight into the prayer ministry on earth and
vice versa. The prayer movement on earth and in heaven mirror each other.
D. The Book of Revelation is the ultimate prayer manual paralleling Psalms. Revelation provides the End-Time Church
with many intercessory prophetic decrees.
III. THE DETAILS OF THE FIFTH SEAL
When He (Jesus) opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar (golden altar of incense) the souls of those
who had been slain for the word of God...10 And they (End-Time martyrs) cried with a loud voice, saying,
“How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
11 Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while
longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were,
was completed. (Revelation 6:9-11)
A. He (Jesus) opened the fifth seal – Daniel 7:21, 25 allowed to create context for fiery prayer movement.
B. Under the altar – the Golden Altar of incense in heaven (Revelation 8:3-5; 9:13; 14:17-18; 16:7) is where the prayer
reaches the heavenly court, as seen in Daniel 7:9-10. The prayer ministry relates to God’s throne and authority at the
Golden Altar. The prayer ministry is the governmental center of the universe.
1. In the tabernacle of Moses there were two altars, the brazen altar for sacrifice and the golden altar of incense. The altar
in heaven is not the brazen altar of sacrifice. There is only one altar in heaven, the Golden Altar of incense is in the
heavenly court room or the heavenly temple.
2. Other names of the Golden Altar are the Altar of burnt offering or the Altar of incense.
C. Souls of those who had been slain for the word of God – Who are these martyrs? The End-Time martyrs who would
not back down from their testimony. To generalize this as all the martyrs of history ignores the detail that their persecutors
are still alive on earth at time they are praying.
D. They cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long…” –
1. The prayer, “How long…” is the most recorded prayer in the Old Testament (Zechariah 1:12; Psalm 6:3; 13:2; 74:10;
79:5; 80:4; 89:46; 90:13; 94:3; Daniel 8:13; 12:6-13). This is the only prayer of request in the Book of Revelation. Psalm
79 develops this vindication theme of “how long?” until God breaks in with justice.
2. The cry “how long?” is echoed from Zechariah 1:12 when the same prayer was offered after four groups of horses
patrolled earth to give a report that the nations that persecuted Israel were at peace. However, God was about to take
that peace away by relating His jealousy (Zechariah 1:13-16). Those same horses that patrolled the earth later became
the vessels of Divine judgment (Zechariah 6:1-8). This parallels the four horsemen seen in Revelation 6:1-8.
3. A loud voice (Revelation 5:12).
E. “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
1. This is a prayer for the vindication of God’s reputation and people (answered: Revelation 8:3-5; 9:13; 16:7; 19:2).
2. Jesus taught on the earthly side of this End-Time prayer drama (Luke 18:7-8). Obvious link to Psalm 79:10, “avenge
blood of your servants.”
3. God answers their prayer in two ways by releasing judgment and vengeance. This same prayer request is in Revelation
(Revelation 8:3-5; 9:13; 19:2). Revelation 6:12-17 begins specific answer to Revelation 6:10. The 2-fold intercessory prayer
of the End-Time martyrs asks first for judgment, which is the theme of Revelation as seen in the release of the trumpets
andbowls. Secondly, they ask that God “take vengeance on” their persecutors (Revelation 19:2). This is seen in thanking
God for turning water to blood (Revelation 16:5-7).
4. Prayer for the justice or the vindication first of God’s reputation then for the Church.
5. Justice cannot continue to be challenged as rebels triumph against God’s people. These prayers rise up as a protest
against sin.
F. “HOW LONG, O LORD…UNTIL YOU JUDGE AND AVENGE OUR BLOOD ON THOSE WHO DWELL ON THE EARTH?”
(Revelation 19:2, 21; 14:20; 16:7)
1. “Those who dwell on the earth” is the primary phrase for unbelievers in Revelation (used 13 times).
2. These martyrs prayed for their murderers who were still alive in the generation of the Lord returns. In other words, these
are not the martyrs through history but specifically the martyrs slain just before Jesus returns.
3. End-Time martyrs in heaven are praying for their persecutors who are still living on the earth. This is not a cry for
personal revenge but a prayer that God would remove reprobate people from their positions of influence. The undecided
need mercy however, those how have made permanent decisions to hate God need judgment to lose their position of
influence and so that the undecided are awakened in mercy. The three numbered judgment series are His mercy to the
undecided since hell is sure if they do not repent. This is in contrast to Stephen’s call forgiveness not vengeance
(Acts 7:60).
4. Do we love mercy or do we want vengeance? God has no pleasure in the death of the wicked (Ezekiel 33:11). We do
not rejoice in judgment and pain on individual but in the fact that God moves the reprobate out of positions of influence.
G. Saints in a heavenly state only have righteous desires. Therefore, they are equipped to pray for the release of
judgment on their enemies instead of blessing their enemies. The saints' desire is that God demonstrates before the
world that they were right and their persecutors were wrong. God delights to overturn the wrong verdict of earthly courts
(Luke 18:7-8).
H. The judgment begins at another level with the sixth seal. The first four seals are human beings harming each other.
The first four seals are man induced as God takes His restraints off man to some degree to allow them to do what is in
their hearts. The first four seals are men yielding to demons with the restraining hand of God removed.
1. Man against man under the evil influence of demons causes martyrdom to increase. Evil men will contribute to the
End-Time prayer movement in martyring the saints (Genesis 50:20). It triggers a domino effect in that they start murdering
the righteous with new zeal. The result is that the death toll mounts and triggers the prayer movement that releases the
End-Time judgments.
2. To shed the righteous blood of the saints stirs Jesus’ heart of vengeance (Revelation 19:2). Revelation 19:2 describes
the saints in heaven proclaiming that which set God’s judgments into motion. They proclaim that Jesus rose up because
“they killed the saints!!” When unbelievers increase their activity in murdering the saints then the prayer movement went
to the next level.
3. We do not fully understand His passion for His Bride. Jesus breaks the sixth seal to releases judgment through the sun,
moon and stars and great earthquakes (Revelation 6:12-17). God will shake the natural order in His zeal for His Bride.
4. Our feeble prayers will eventually result in changing history dynamically as described in the Book of Revelation.
I. “O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood...?”
1. Holy and true are two attributes of Jesus that are emphasized in Revelation 3:7. These two dimensions of God’s
heart are in context to His End-Times judgments.
2. Holy – judgment without violating love (mercy, kindness).
3. True – faithful to His promise to execute judgments (15:3; 16:5-6; 18:5-6, 20, 24). He is true because He uses the right
information to judge the guilty. God’s judgment is not too severe or too lenient but rather, it is accurate without any
misplaced judgment.
4. They lean into sovereignty and believe in Jesus’ goodness as declared in Revelation 5:12 instead of yielding to
accusations against Jesus that will be so common in the End-Times.
IV. GOD’S ANSWER TO THE INTERCESSION OF THE MARTYRS
Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both
the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
A. God answers in heaven two ways.
1. First, He gives each martyr a white robe. A white robe is mentioned 5 times in Revelation (6:11; 7:9, 13, 14; cf. 22:14).
Robes are a heavenly declaration of the saints' purity, and they annul the guilty verdict that the world gives. Jesus wore a
robe to represent His high rank (1:13), and they indicated a high social status in the first century. Jesus warned of scribes
“who desire to go around in long robes” (Marl 12:38). White means purity, glory and victory, and the glory of a heavenly
reward. White garments are worn by the 24 elders (4:4); are given to the worthy/faithful in Sardis (Revelation 3:4-5); and
the angels at the resurrection (Mark 16:5). The Bride will wear bright and clean garments which speak of their righteous
deeds (Revelation 19:8). White robes represent purity of faith tested by fire (Revelation 3:4-5 alludes to 6:11).
2. Second, He assures them that their prayers will be answered. They will not receive their resurrected body until Christ's
return (Revelation 20:4-5).
B. Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer
(Revelation 7:9-14; 14:13). They are instructed to rest in the white robe with assurance that God would answer .
1. Rest and wait – “rest” – not stop crying for vengeance. Rest in glory and blessedness - enjoyment of heavenly benefits –
parallel in 14:13. “Rest from their labor” in heaven (14:8).
2. “A little while” is the same expression that Jesus said (John 7:33; 12:35). In John's gospel, time is less than a year.
Also in Revelation 20:3, Satan's brief period of freedom is called a “short time.”
C. “Until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.”
1. Others will die in the future. God set number to be martyred to accomplish. Colossians 1:24 – fills up suffering of Jesus.
Fuels prayer movement, purifies church, and releases the harvest. Matthew 23:31-32 – murder prophet’s fills up guilt.
Separates unbelievers –causes to declare self. This all backfires on Satan – ignites fiery prayer movement.
2. The prayer movement in heaven was not told to stop interceding but to be at peace in their spirits knowing that there
was a sovereign time already decreed for the vengeance on the rebellious. God’s time would not come until the full number
of martyrs was complete.
3. The shedding of righteous blood has a dynamic impact in the spirit realm and prayer movement.
D. Until both the number of their fellow servants was completed. The martyrs described in two ways. First, in terms of their
vertical relationship as God's slaves. Second, in terms of their horizontal relationship as brothers in faith.
V. END-TIME ENJOYABLE PRAYER RELEASING WORLDWIDE JUDGMENT
Sing to the LORD a new song...2 Let Israel rejoice in (enjoy) their Maker; let the children of Zion be joyful (enjoy) in their
King. 3 Let them praise His name with the dance…with the timbrel and harp. 4 For the LORD takes pleasure in His people;
He will beautify the humble with salvation. 5 Let the saints be joyful (enjoy) in glory... 6 Let the high praises of God be in
their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand, 7 to execute vengeance on the nations, and punishments on the
peoples; 8 to bind their kings with chains, And their nobles with fetters of iron; 9 to execute on them the written judgment
(trumpets, bowls) -- This honor have all His saints. Praise the LORD! (Psalm 149:1-9)
A. Psalm 149 is the backdrop to the fifth seal which is more severe than the first fourth seals. The prayer movement
releases a fierceness of God’s wrath (Revelation 19:15).
B. Psalm 149 describes the prayer movement (fueled by prophetic music) as more fierce than the four seals that precede
it. The prayers of the saints in heaven with the prayer of the Church on earth in unity with Jesus and the Holy Spirit release
God’s power in judgment as written in Revelation (trumpets and bowls). This Psalm points to the grand reality enjoyed by
God’s people. It describes the Bridal paradigm referred to in Revelation 22:17. Jesus will show His beauty and burning
desire to His people (Psalm 149:4). God will reveal His glory to the saints who are filled with joy or enjoyment of God.
These prayer warriors are fearless because they are lovesick. This points to the Bridal paradigm which catapults the
Church into an anointed place called high praises. This worldwide worship movement of high praises is the final natural
event that releases God’s judgments on the nations.
VI. CONCERT OF PRAYER WITH PROGRESSION SEEN IN REVELATION
A. The concert of prayer seen in Psalm 149 has a progression to it as a worldwide prayer movement is described in the
Book of Revelation (Revelation 4:8; 5:8; 6:10; 8:3; 14:3; 19:2-4; 22:17). The End-Time prayer movement consists of the
convergence of the heavenly intercession of the saints with Jesus and the Holy Spirit (Hebrews 7:25; Romans 8:26, 34;
Psalm 2:7-9; Revelation 22:17) combined with the prayers of the Church on earth releasing God’s full favor on the saints
(Daniel 7:22).
1. Seraphim worshipping night and day (Revelation 4:8). They are redirected in was earthly focus in the new song of
Revelation 5:8-9 focused earthward with clear heavens with Satan gone
The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night,
saying: "Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!" (Revelation 4:8)
2. Seraphim’s role is replaced by the Church (Revelation 7:15)
They are before the throne of God...serve Him day and night in His temple. (Revelation 7:15)
3. The bowls of prayer are full worldwide with new song released earthward (Revelation 5:8-9).
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each
having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying:
"You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your
blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, (Revelation 5:8-9)
4. 7-fold proclamation of saints (Revelation 5:12)
saying with a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain To receive power and riches and wisdom, And strength and
honor and glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12)
The Church on earth joins in with the significant prophetic decree of the heavenly multitude in Revelation 5:12 Saying with
a loud voice: "Worthy is the Lamb who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength and honor and
glory and blessing!" (Revelation 5:12).
Prophetic decrees are significant in our resistance of evil as we decree the certain triumph of Jesus:
Power – Jesus will receive governmental leadership over all the nations of the earth when He returns.
Riches – all the wealth of the nations will be transferred to Jesus’ leadership.
Wisdom – Jesus will determine and oversee God’s End-Time action plan.
Strength – strength in Jesus’ inner man (Ephesians 3:16) will assure that He continues steadfastly in kindness and
goodness, etc.
Honor – the saints will respond to Jesus in affectionate loyalty.
Glory – Jesus will operate in the supernatural realm (anointing of the Spirit).
Blessing –the largest work force in history with all nations cooperating with Jesus.
NOTE – The result of the Seraphim worshipping night and day (Revelation 4:8) together with the saints filling the bowls
of prayer (Rev. 5:8) leading to the casting down Satan (Revelation 12:7). This changes the ‘role’ of the Seraphim who
allow saints to have key role and amen saints (Revelation 19:2
4). The Seraphim are redirected in was earthly focus in the new song of Revelation 5:8-9 focused earthward with clear
heavens with Satan gone
5. The prayer movement is filled with God’s authority because of martyrdom (Revelation 6:10).
They cried with a loud voice, saying, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those
who dwell on the earth?" (Revelation 6:10)
6. The prayer movement releases God’s fire from heaven (Revelation 8:3-4).
Another angel, was given much incense, that he should offer it with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar...
4 The smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God...5 fire from the altar...threw it to the
earth. (Revelation 8:3-5)
7. 144,000 prophetic singers with the new songs (Revelation 14:3)
They sang as it were a new song before the throne, before the four living creatures, and the elders; and no one could
learn that song except the hundred and forty-four thousand who were redeemed from the earth. (Revelation 14:3)
8. The role of saints in worship (Revelation 19:2-4) as Seraphim cry, "Amen! Alleluia!"
For true and righteous are His judgments, because He has judged the great harlot who corrupted the earth with her
fornication; and He has avenged on her the blood of His servants shed by her." 3 Again they said, "Alleluia! Her smoke
rises up forever and ever!" 4 And the twenty-four elders and the four living creatures fell down and worshiped God who
sat on the throne, saying, "Amen! Alleluia!" (Revelation 19:2-4)
9. The ultimate expression of prayer is Revelation 22:17; as the Church across the entire earth with a bridal identity
under the anointing of the Spirit cries, “Come Lord Jesus!”
The Spirit and the bride say, "Come!" (Revelation 22:17)