Who Are Those Martyrs Slain And Under The Altar?

And when He had opened the fifth seal, 

I saw under the altar the souls of them that 

were slain or 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, dost thou not judge and avenge 

our blood on them that dwell on the earth? 

And white robes were given to them; and it 

was said unto them, that they should rest 

yet for a little season, until their fellowservants

 also and their brethren, that should be killed

 as there were, should be fulfilled.

Revelations 6:9-11

      Words have often been changed as to their meaning or how one understand the meaning of a word and this is true of the word "martyr." Our understanding of the word martyr is often a single understanding and not a full understanding as the Greek is very clear as to its meaning so that we should have a deeper knowledge of what it means to be a "martyr." The English dictionary defines "martyr" with this meaning: "1. a person who willing suffers death rather, than renounce his or her religion. 2. a person who is put to death or suffers on behalf of a cause. 3. a person who undergoes severe or constant suffering. 4. to make a martyr of. esp. by putting to death. 5. to torment; torture. *Websters College Dictionary, 1997, p. 806). This definition emphasizes death, pain, or suffering especially when due to holding fast to a cause. This is not a bad definition but is not the definition of the Greek word translated as "martyr." Remember: the New Testament was written in Greek and the Greeks new the definition of their words so we must look at the Greek meaning for "martyr." There are several words in regard to "martyr" and they all have as their root the Greek word: "μάρτυς" (Strong's Dictionary of Bible words: #3144). The Greek meaning is "witness." when used as a verb it means "to bear witness." In another use it means "a record, or testimony. Another use it means to be testified, or a testimony, or another means "to be adduced as a witness." Notice the difference between the Greek definition and the English definition and you will see the emphasis on this word. In English: death: in Greek: witness.

We take our understanding of this word from the Greek for our Bible was written in Greek, therefore, the souls that were seen to be under the altar were witnesses, martyr, and due to their witness there were slain. The Greek word translated "were slain" is genitive, plural, participle, perfect and passive, so how are to understand this word? The witnesses were being slain and as a perfect word it had definitely happened and as a passive it happened to a witness(s). Being perfect and as a participle not only did it happen, it continues to happen to witnesses of the word of God. The results of a "perfect" in Greek is a word denoting continuance so we can testify that this is true when we hear of those witnesses that are being tortured, killed in our day. Remember you are a "witness," a "martyr" for Jesus Christ as God is a witness for you and to you: (Romans 1:9; 2Corinthians 1:23; Philippians 1:8; 1Thessalonians 2:5, 10). We have received the witness of Jesus Christ (1Peter 5:1) and as image bearers of Jesus Christ we then can witness to others about Him how saves us from our sin. These witnesses seen by John are under the altar of God and are forever saved from the evils and the destruction of the earth who refuse to allow the witness of God to save them from this judgment of God. 

     These witnesses are given a white robe and this white robe has the meaning of purity, free from sin and its affect(s). These witnesses get anxious but God says for them to rest He has it all under control and in His time He will say "enough," and then all left on earth, both alive and in the grave will rise to be with Him, when all things have been fulfilled. 

     Can you sing this song: "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine! Oh, what a foretaste of glory divine! Heir of salvation, purchase of God, Born of His Spirit, washed in His blood. This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long; This is my story, this is my song, Praising my Savior all the day long. Perfect submission, perfect delight, visions of rapture now burst on my sight: Angels descending bring from above echoes of mercy, whispers of Love. Perfect submission, all is at rest, I in my Savior am happy and blest; Watching and waiting, looking above, filled with His goodness, lost in His love." 

    You have a new song, even this old/new song, you can have the assurance that the promises of God are true, you can rest on those promises and you can have by His mercy the strength to wait upon Him. All is yours if you have assurance and allow this assurance for you to be a "martyr" a "witness" for Jesus Christ no matter the cost. Tortured, slain, only to live forever under the altar of God, that is at His feet praising Him forever.

And I commanded the Levites that they

    should cleanse themselves, and that 

they should come and keep the gates,

    to sanctify the sabbath day. 

Remember me, O my God, concerning

    this also, and spare me according

to the greatness of thy mercy.

                 Nehemiah 13:22

May this be your prayer

Richard L. Crumb