White Robes and Rest Revelation 6:11

After the worship scene in heaven where “the Lamb” of God received the “scroll” in God's right hand, the beginning of the tribulation to come upon the earth began and John the apostle saw the first, second, third, fourth and fifth seals of the “scroll” opened, and he wrote, “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: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, do you not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”, and in chapter six and verse eleven of Revelation John saw that “white robes were given every one of them...that they should rest” where we read:

And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

The verse reads, “And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, ...” John began with the words, “and white robes” which means “brilliant and shining outer garments” “were given” which means “were granted, bestowed, supplied and furnished” “unto every one of them” or “to each, all, the whole and everyone of the martyrs beneath God's throne”; “and it was said unto them” which means “and the following declaration, utterance and proclamation was spoken to those in the white robes”, “that they should rest” or “that those within the brilliant and shining white outer garments would have quiet, ease, calm and patient expectation” “yet for a little season” which means “for a short or brief period of time”. John saw how these who were “given” “brilliant and shining white robes” were instructed to take their “ease” for a short “period of time”.

The verse continues, “... until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” John added the word, “until” which means “even as long as or till” “their fellow-servants also” or “the people who were associates, colleagues and co-servants”“and their brethren” or “their fellow believers who were united to one another by the bond of affection”, “that should be killed” which means “who were also going to be murdered, slaughtered and butchered” “as they were, should be fulfilled” which means “even like these people were also to be caused to abound, furnish or supply liberally and be completed”. Not only were these who were clothed in “brilliant and shining white robes” “murdered” for their faith in Jesus Christ, but they were told other “brothers and sisters in Christ” who would be “slaughtered” as well.

When we consider John's words in this verse, we see the answer to the martyrs question as to “how long” it would be till God would “ judge and avenge” their “blood on them that dwell on the earth”. They were given “brilliant and shining white robes” and told to be “rest and be calm” for a period of time because other believers would be “martyred” as well. There will be believers in Jesus who give their lives during the tribulation period, and though this first group before God's throne desired to be “avenged” of their murderers, they had to wait. God desires to be in a relationship with every person who will yield their life to His Son Jesus. Some of them have and will give their lives for their “faith” in Him, and these within the “tribulation” period are no exception. The time for “salvation” is now, and if there be anyone reading these words who has not given their life to Jesus, there is no better time than this moment. Simply believe in Him, repent of sins and ask Him to be Lord, and all these things shall be avoided.

Next time John shares how he “beheld when he had opened the sixth seal”, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.

Until tomorrow…there is more…

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