Revelation 6:9

Translations

Modern

And when the Lamb 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 they had upheld.

Traditional

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:

Literal

And when He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those having been slain because of the word of God and because of the testimony that they had.

Latin

Et cum aperuisset sigillum quintum, vidi subtus altare animas interfectorum propter verbum Dei, et propter testimonium, quod habebant:

Original

Greek

English

And when the Lamb 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 they had upheld.

Notes

Revelation 6:9

Instead of following the destructive ways of the world, the martyrs (those who died for their faith) chose to give their lives because they remained faithful to the word of God.

Revelation 6:9–11

In contrast to the world's destructive ways (Revelation 6:1–8), the fifth seal introduces Christian martyrs who ask how God intends to deal with evil.

Revelation 6:1–16:21

Three sets of seven judgments (the seals, trumpets, and bowls) are central to Revelation. Some believe these judgments happen in a sequence, one after another, totaling twenty-one judgments.

However, it is more likely that the relationship is cyclical, similar to other Jewish apocalyptic writings (compare Daniel 2, 7, 8, 11). Each set of judgments becomes more intense and adds new details about God's judgment on those who rebel against him. In this view, all three cycles end at the same time, with the return of Christ.

Revelation 6:1–8:1

The Lamb breaks the seven seals to reveal the significance of history from God’s point of view.

Theme notes and profiles

Altars The Purpose of the Judgments Visions

Related verses

Revelation 20:4
Then I saw the thrones, and those seated on them had been given authority to judge. And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.
John 16:2
They will put you out of the synagogues. In fact, a time is coming when anyone who kills you will think he is offering a service to God.
Revelation 1:9
I, John, your brother and partner in the tribulation and kingdom and perseverance that are in Jesus, was on the island of Patmos because of the word of God and my testimony about Jesus.
Revelation 12:11–17
They have conquered him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony. And they did not love their lives so as to shy away from death.
Revelation 11:3–7
And I will empower my two witnesses, and they will prophesy for 1,260 days, clothed in sackcloth.”
Revelation 2:13
I know where you live, where the throne of Satan sits, yet you hold fast to My name. You did not deny your faith in Me, even in the days of My faithful witness Antipas, who was killed among you where Satan dwells.
2 Timothy 1:8
So do not be ashamed of the testimony of our Lord, or of me, His prisoner. Instead, join me in suffering for the gospel by the power of God.
Revelation 16:7
And I heard the altar reply: “Yes, Lord God Almighty, true and just are Your judgments.”
2 Corinthians 5:8
We are confident, then, and would prefer to be away from the body and at home with the Lord.
Leviticus 4:7
The priest must then put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of fragrant incense that is before the LORD in the Tent of Meeting. And he is to pour out the rest of the bull’s blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering at the entrance to the Tent of Meeting.
Revelation 1:2
…who testifies to everything he saw. This is the word of God and the testimony of Jesus Christ.
Revelation 14:18
Still another angel, with authority over the fire, came from the altar and called out in a loud voice to the angel with the sharp sickle, “Swing your sharp sickle and gather the clusters of grapes from the vine of the earth, because its grapes are ripe.”

Glossary

Altar Book of Revelation Persecution Place of the Dead Soul

Topics

Martyrdom is Death Endured for the Word of God, and Testimony of Christ Martyrdom: General Scriptures Concerning Martyrs Persecution of the Righteous

Revelation 6:9

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Translations

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