“And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?”
My Notes
What Does Revelation 6:10 Mean?
The martyrs under the altar cry out to God: how long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? The cry is for justice — from those who paid the ultimate price for faithfulness.
The martyrs address God as holy and true — affirming his character even while questioning his timing. The question is not whether God will act justly. It is how long before the justice arrives.
"Avenge our blood" — the martyrs are not asking for personal revenge. They are asking for divine justice — the vindication of the righteous and the judgment of those who shed innocent blood.
God's response (v.11): white robes and the instruction to rest a little season. The answer to how long is: not yet. But the robes signify that their cause is recognized. The rest signifies that the timing is measured. And the justice is coming — on God's schedule, not theirs.
Reflection Questions
- 1.How does the martyrs' cry of 'how long' model honest prayer from those suffering injustice?
- 2.What does addressing God as 'holy and true' while questioning his timing reveal about their faith?
- 3.How do white robes and 'rest a little season' function as God's response to the cry for justice?
- 4.Where are you crying 'how long' — and how does this passage encourage you in the wait?
Devotional
How long, O Lord, holy and true? The martyrs — those who died for their faith — cry out from under the altar. The question is the oldest prayer of the suffering: how long? How long before justice arrives?
Dost thou not judge and avenge our blood? The blood they shed is crying for vindication. Not personal revenge — divine justice. The settling of accounts that only God can perform.
Holy and true. Even in their anguish, the martyrs affirm God's character. He is holy. He is true. The questioning does not deny his nature. It appeals to it: because you are holy and true, we know justice must come. So how long?
White robes were given unto every one of them (v.11). The response is not immediate justice. It is recognition — white robes signifying that their sacrifice is honored. And a measured answer: rest yet for a little season. The timing is not yet. But the timing is measured. And it is coming.
The martyrs' cry is the cry of every person who has suffered unjustly: how long? The answer from Revelation is: the justice is certain. The timing is measured. The robes are given. And the resting season — however long it feels — has an end.
If you are crying how long — for justice, for vindication, for the righting of wrongs — the martyrs under the altar are praying with you. And the answer is the same: white robes. A little season. And justice that is holy and true.
Commentary
Trusted original commentary from respected historical Bible scholars and theologians.
And they cried with a loud voice,.... With great ardour and fervency, being very pressing and importunate; and which…
And when he had opened the fifth seal - notes at Rev 5:1; Rev 6:1. I saw under the altar - The four living creatures are…
And they cried with a loud voice - That is, their blood, like that of Abel, cried for vengeance; for we are not to…
In the remaining part of this chapter we have the opening of the fifth and the sixth seals.
I. The fifth seal. Here is…
How long Cf. Psa 94:3.
O Lord Not the ordinary word of reverence applied to God, but one meaning (as we say) "lord and…
Cross References
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