This book we call The Bible is a historical book, a future preparation book, and a book that leads us into relationship with our Creator. It’s about personal relationship. This does not make one mentally ill; on the contrary it makes one mentally balanced because that one is connected to the Creator, the Living God. Without that connection, people become mentally ill, imbalanced, and isolated from creation. The disconnected people worship the creature more than the creator. The connected find life, while the disconnected find death. If we make the simple observation of the people revered by Yahweh, we see that they all had a personal relationship with him. Whether they were prophets, kings, musicians, or just people with families; and sometimes messy families at that. It is that simple. Personal relationship with our Lord is what centers and grounds us. It is important to know Him and to learn to hear His voice. We have these benefits during this dispensation and we are free to utilize them, because in the next dispensation people will not be so fortunate.
After the harpazo, many people who then make Jesus their Lord and Savior will be martyred. The first time we see people dying for Christ after the seals are open, is under the altar. What altar? People will be killing each other during the second and fourth seals, but those seals are referring to war, not people being martyred for Christ. There are different garments given to different administrations. We see that during this time, people either overcome the devil or are overcome by the devil. Daniel gives us some specifics regarding the timing that we need to be aware of. He speaks of the birth of Israel and the harpazo. Let’s look at the fifth seal.
Revelation 6:9(KJV)
9 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:
9 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:
Revelation 6:9 G2532 And G3753 when G455 he opened G3588 the G3991 fifth G4973 seal, G1492 I saw G5270 underneath G3588 the G2379 altar G3588 the G5590 souls G3588 of the G444 men, G3588 of the ones G4969 having been slain G1223 because of G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G1223 because of G3588 the G3141 testimony G3588 of the G721 lamb G3739 which G2192 they had.
5270 LSJ Gloss:ὑποκάτω below, under
Dodson:ὑποκάτω underneath underneath, below, under.
Thayer:
1) under, underneath
ὑποκάτω
2379LSJ Gloss:θυσιαστήριον an altar
Dodson:θυσιαστήριον an altar an altar (for sacrifice).
Thayer:
1) the altar for slaying and burning of victims used of
1a) the altar of whole burnt offerings which stood in the court of the priests in the temple at Jerusalem
1b) the altar of incense which stood in the sanctuary or the Holy Place
1c) any other altar
1c1) metaph., the cross on which Christ suffered an expiatory death: to eat of this altar i.e. to appropriate to one's self the fruits of Christ's expiatory death
θυσιαστήριον
thusiastērion thoo-see-as-tay'-ree-on From a derivative of G2378; a place of sacrifice, that is, an altar (specifically or generally, literally or figuratively) KJV Usage: altar.
We know that the first martyrs of this administration are under the altar. This tells us that there must be a temple for people to make sacrifices. There also must be a priesthood making the sacrifices. Who are these people under the altar? They are technically no longer Jews, they are Christians. They believe in Jesus as Christ. As we looked at numbers last week, it may be that after the harpazo occurs people will leave their countries and move to Israel. Jews worldwide may want to move back to their ancestral land and be near the temple for sacrifice.
What is the timing here? Daniel helps us out. When the son of perdition sits in the holy of holies he will not die. Then he will declare himself god. He will stop the perpetual sacrifice. The son of perdition does not truly have the power to atone for sin. He will proclaim himself as god, therefore no one will have to make sacrifices any longer. He will tell everyone there is no need for sacrificing animals. Let’s look at Daniel
Daniel 12 http://ecmarsh.com/lxx/Daniel/index.htm
12:1 And at that time Michael the great prince shall stand up, that stands over the children of thy people: and there shall be a time of tribulation, such tribulation as has not been from the time that there was a nation on the earth until that time: at that time thy people shall be delivered, even every one that is written in the book. 2 And many of them that sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, some to everlasting life, and some to reproach and everlasting shame. 3 And the wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament, and some of the many righteous as the stars for ever and ever.
The wording here is interesting in verse 1, it literally reads “which birthed ethnos”. In other words, from the birth of the nation. What nation? Israel. From the birth of Israel until that proper time. Even though the captives went back to Jerusalem and rebuilt the temple soon after Daniel’s vision, Israel was not it’s own nation. It has since been under the authority of other nations. From the time of Israel’s birth as it’s own nation until the tribulation, is the time period that Daniel and the angel are speaking of. This is the time that Daniel sees, from 1948 until the tribulation; then people will be delivered. Some will have confessed Jesus as Lord and rise, and some will not.
Daniel 12:4 And thou, Daniel, close the words, and seal the book to the time of the end; until many are taught, and knowledge is increased.
Daniel 12:4 G2532 And G1473 you G* Daniel G1719.2 obstruct G3588 the G3056 words, G2532 and G4972 set a seal upon G3588 the G975 scroll G2193 until G2540 the time G4930 of completion! G2193 until G1321 [2should be taught G4183 1many], G2532 and G4129 [3be multiplied G3588 1the G1108 2knowledge].
Daniel is told to put a seal on this scroll. The seal stays in place until the time of completion, the sunteleia, which literally means the consummation of the dispensation. This dispensation ended when Jesus ascended. Now the seal is opened and we are learning the knowledge. What knowledge is increased? The knowledge of the end times. The word the appears before knowledge in the text, changing the meaning from “general knowledge” to “specific knowledge” of the end times.
Daniel 12:5 And I Daniel saw, and, behold, two others stood, on one side of the bank of the river, and the other on the other side of the bank of the river. 6 And one said to the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, When will be the end of the wonders which thou has mentioned? 7 And I heard the man clothed in linen, who was over the water of the river, and he lifted up his right hand and his left hand to heaven, and sware by him that lives for ever, that it should be for a time of times and half a time: when the dispersion is ended they shall know all these things.
Daniel 12:7.....G1722 in G3588 the G4931 completing complete G1287.1 the dispersing dispersion G5495 hand G2992 of people G37 having been sanctified, G1097 they shall know G3956 all G3778 these things.
Daniel asks when these things will happen, and the answer is in a portion of time when the dispersion is complete. When the hands of the laity are sanctified and the sanctified will know and perceive all of this. The beginning of the dispersion started around 733 BCE. About 760 years later Jesus came and many of the dispersed became Christians. When are the hands of the laity sanctified? When the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality. This is when the laity, the general people of the earth, are purified and made holy, ceremonially consecrated. This is when the dispersion is completed and ended, at the harpazo. Remember, Romans 11 says that we are looking for a number from the nations, the dispersed are among the nations.
Daniel then asks, when is the uttermost end, the finality of the age? But he is not given an answer.
Daniel 12:8 And I heard, but I understood not: and I said, O Lord, what will be the end of these things? 9 And he said, Go, Daniel: for the words are closed and sealed up to the time of the end.
The word “end” is used three different times with three different words in verses 7 and 8. The end of the dispersion is sunteleo, meaning “finished”. Daniel asks when the end of these things eschatos, occurs, meaning the farthest place in time. Then the angel says these things are sealed until the time of the end, peras, the limit or boundary, extending through a period of time. The dispersion is finished when the laity is sanctified. This would be the time that the Jews who are living in other nations will want to return to Israel, ending the diaspora. Daniel asks when the tribulation and affliction will be finished, the furthest place in time. The angel says the words are closed until the due measure of the boundary, meaning the words are closed until the proper limit is fulfilled.
Daniel 12:10 Many must be tested, and thoroughly whitened, and tried with fire, and sanctified; but the transgressors shall transgress: and none of the transgressors shall understand; but the wise shall understand. 11 And from the time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when the abomination of desolation shall be set up, there shall be a thousand two hundred and ninety days.
What is the time period we are speaking of here? After Israel becomes a nation (1948), and after the laity are sanctified (harpazo’d). The dispersion will be finished. Then there will be perpetual sacrifices on an altar of sacrifice. The people are sacrificing to atone for sin. Then there is a time of the removal of the perpetual sacrifice, when someone stops the sacrifices being made. There will be an abomination, a detestation which is specifically idolatry. It is abominable idolatry causing devastation. Paul explained this very thing in 2 Thessalonians. There have been many abominations and desolations in Jerusalem, but this one specifically occurs after Israel becomes a nation, not a nation under any other nation, a nation of it’s own. The angel noted that there will be a period of 1290 days, three and one half years. But the angel says that if one can hold out for 1335 days, 45 days later, that one will be blessed.
Daniel 12:12 Blessed is he that waits, and comes to the thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. 13 But go thou, and rest; for there are yet days and seasons to the fulfillment of the end; and thou shalt stand in thy lot at the end of the days.
Blessed is the one surviving and who precedes or arrives at 1335 days. This time period moves into the time period of the second half of the tribulation. If one survives to that time, that one is blessed. We know that at the mid-point of the tribulation, Jesus is coronated; so it is possible that the people on the earth who now believe in Jesus will experience this event from earth.
Coming back to the fifth seal, we now see why people are killed under the altar. The secrets were sealed until the end of that dispensation, until Jesus ascended and the Holy Spirit was poured out on Pentecost. This was the start of the dispensation we are presently in. It is in a time period when Israel is birthed into it’s own nation and the laity is close to being sanctified, harpazo’d, or when the corruptible puts on incorruption and the mortal puts on immortality. It is during the first three and one half years of the tribulation. When the daily sacrifices stop, the Jews will be upset because they are trying to atone for sin. They will recognize that this person is not the Messiah. Many will die as martyrs for Jesus when they see the abomination of desolation, or the idolatry of this son of perdition who now sits in the holy of holies; and he himself does not die, but claims to be god, ending perpetual sacrifices for atonement. Now we can understand why there are people dying under the altar.
Revelation 6:9……..the G5590 souls G3588 of the G444 men, G3588 of the ones G4969 having been slain G1223 because of G3588 the G3056 word G3588 G2316 of God, G2532 and G1223 because of G3588 the G3141 testimony G3588 of the G721 lamb G3739 which G2192 they had.
5590
ψυχή
psuchē psoo-khay' From G5594; breath, that is, (by implication) spirit, abstractly or concretely (the animal sentient principle only; thus distinguished on the one hand from G4151, which is the rational and immortal soul; and on the other from G2222, which is mere vitality, even of plants: these terms thus exactly correspond respectively to the Hebrew [H5315], [H7307] and [H2416] KJV Usage: heart (+ -ily), life, mind, soul, + us, + you.
4969LSJ Gloss:σφάζω to slay, slaughter
Dodson:σφάζω I slay
I slay, kill by violence, slaughter, wound mortally.
Thayer:
1) to slay, slaughter, butcher
2) to put to death by violence
3) mortally wounded
σφάζω
sphazō sfad'-zo A primary verb; to butcher (especially an animal for food or in sacrifice) or (generally) to slaughter, or (specifically) to maim (violently) KJV Usage: kill, slay, wound.
3056
λόγος
logos log'-os From G3004; something said (including the thought); by implication a topic (subject of discourse), also reasoning (the mental faculty) or motive; by extension a computation; specifically (with the article in John) the Divine Expression (that is, Christ) KJV Usage: account, cause, communication, X concerning, doctrine, fame, X have to do, intent, matter, mouth, preaching, question, reason, + reckon, remove, say (-ing), shew, X speaker, speech, talk, thing, + none of these things move me, tidings, treatise, utterance, word, work.
3141 LSJ Gloss:μαρτυρία witness, testimony, evidence
Dodson:μαρτυρία witness, evidence, testimony
witness, evidence, testimony, reputation.
Thayer:
1) a testifying
1a) the office committed to the prophets of testifying concerning future events
2) what one testifies, testimony, i.e. before a judge
μαρτυρία
marturia mar-too-ree'-ah From G3144; evidence given (judicially or generally) KJV Usage: record, report, testimony, witness.
Somehow these people being martyred in this short period of time have the logos of God and possess the testimony of the Lamb. They probably always wondered about Jesus truly being the Messiah, but may have been afraid to confess him as Messiah for fear of their religious peers condemning them. It is possible that they could have been rebuked or thrown out of their synagogue for talking about Jesus. It may also be that at the harpazo people will realize what time period they are in, and then search and explore the scriptures to see what is goin on. From the time that the laity is sanctified to the end of the sacrifices, these people will have the testimony of the Lamb. They will know within their hearts’ that Jesus came and died, ascended, and sat at the right hand of the Father.
If we look at chapter 12 of Revelation, we see a summary of events. We will go into this chapter in more detail in the future, but for now let’s notice some things. First, Jesus is caught up, harpazo’d to the throne of God, Revelation 12:5. Second, there is a three and one half year time period noted here, just as Daniel mentions. Third, the devil is cast down to earth, Revelation 12:9. Fourth, an announcement is made. Then the fifth thing we see is that the people on earth at that time have one way to overcome the devil.
Revelation 12:11 (KJV)
11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
People will either be overcome by the devil or they will overcome the devil by their testimony. Because they do not love their lives, they are willing to die to keep the testimony of Christ. Some people overcome the devil by dying under the altar, and some will die later; there is a number of martyrs that must be fulfilled. The martyred ask when they will be avenged.
Revelation 6:10 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?
Revelation 6:10 G2532 And G2896 they cried out G5456 [2voice G3173 1with a great], G3004 saying, G2193 How long, G4219 G3588 O G1203 master, G3588 the G39 holy G2532 and G3588 the G228 true, G3756 do you not G2919 judge G2532 and G1556 avenge G3588 G129 our blood G1473 G1537 of G3588 the ones G2730 dwelling G1909 upon G3588 the G1093 earth?
4219LSJ Gloss:πότε when? at what time?
Dodson:πότε when, at what time.
Thayer:
1) when?, at what time?
πότε
pote pot'-eh From the base of G4226 and G5037; interrogitive adverb, at what time KJV Usage: + how long, when.
1203LSJ Gloss:δεσπότης a master, lord, the master of the house
Dodson:δεσπότης a lord, master, or prince.
Thayer:
1) a master, Lord
For Synonyms see entry G5830
δεσπότης
despotēs des-pot'-ace Perhaps from G1210 and πόσις posis (a husband); an absolute ruler (“despot”) KJV Usage: Lord, master.
2919 LSJ Gloss:κρίνω to pick out, choose
Dodson:κρίνω I judge, decide, think good (a) I judge, whether in a law-court or privately: sometimes with cognate nouns emphasizing the notion of the verb, (b) I decide, I think (it) good.
Thayer:
1) to separate, put asunder, to pick out, select, choose
2) to approve, esteem, to prefer
3) to be of opinion, deem, think, to be of opinion
4) to determine, resolve, decree
5) to judge
5a) to pronounce an opinion concerning right and wrong
5a1) to be judged, i.e. summoned to trial that one's case may be examined and judgment passed upon it
5b) to pronounce judgment, to subject to censure
5b1) of those who act the part of judges or arbiters in matters of common life, or pass judgment on the deeds and words of others
6) to rule, govern
6a) to preside over with the power of giving judicial decisions, because it was the prerogative of kings and rulers to pass judgment
7) to contend together, of warriors and combatants
7a) to dispute
7b) in a forensic sense
7b1) to go to law, have suit at law
κρίνω
krinō kree'-no Properly to distinguish, that is, decide (mentally or judicially); by implication to try, condemn, punish KJV Usage: avenge, conclude, condemn, damn, decree, determine, esteem, judge, go to (sue at the) law, ordain, call in question, sentence to, think.
1556LSJ Gloss:ἐκδικέω to avenge, punish
Dodson:ἐκδικέω I give justice over, defend, avenge, vindicate.
Thayer:
1) to vindicate one's right, do one justice
1a) to protect, defend, one person from another
2) to avenge a thing
2a) to punish a person for a thing
ἐκδικέω
ekdikeō ek-dik-eh'-o From G1558; to vindicate, retaliate, punish KJV Usage: a (re-) venge.
129 LSJ Gloss:αἷμα blood
Dodson:αἷμα blood blood (especially as shed).
Thayer:
1) blood
1a) of man or animals
1b) refers to the seat of life
1c) of those things that resemble blood, grape juice
2) blood shed, to be shed by violence, slay, murder
αἷμα
aima hah'ee-mah Of uncertain derivation; blood, literally (of men or animals), figuratively (the juice of grapes) or specifically (the atoning blood of Christ); by implication bloodshed, also kindred KJV Usage: blood.
In a large voice they cry out, “what time master until you judge and punish for our blood”. Who is going to be punished? The ones dwelling on the earth. Notice these martyrs have immediate access to Jesus. They die under the altar and are now with Jesus; they are not waiting in paradise and they are not in hades. They are in heaven with the saints, angels, living creatures, elders and the rest of the heavenly sons of God. This also means this group of people were only from Israel, where the altar of sacrifice is.
These people were not in other places on the earth, only Israel; yet they are asking for vengeance on all who dwell on the earth. By this we see that others on the earth had an opinion regarding the sacrifices. There is probably a large outcry from the world’s population regarding the killing of so many animals. The son of perdition is most likely motivated to appease the rest of the world by entering the holy of holies to claim his “god-ship”; and so that he can be known as the atonement for sin and the sacrifices stop. Therefore the martyrs cry out for vengeance on all the people of earth.
Revelation 6:11 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 fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
Revelation 6:11 G2532 And G1325 [3were given G1538 4to each G4749 2robes G3022 1white]; G2532 and G4483 it was said G1473 to them, G2443 that G373 they should rest G2089 yet G5550 a time, G2193 until G3739 of which time G4137 they should be fulfilled -- G2532 both G3588 G4889 their fellow-servants G1473 G2532 and G3588 G80 their brethren, G1473 G3588 the ones G3195 about G615 to be killed, G5613 as G2532 also G1473 they.
4749LSJ Gloss:στολή an equipment, armament
Dodson:στολή a long robe a long robe, worn by the upper classes in the East.
Thayer:
στολή, -ῆς, ἡ, (στέλλω [q. v.] to prepare, equip, 2 pf. ἔστολα);
1. an equipment (Aeschyl.).
2. an equipment in clothes, clothing; spec. a loose outer garment for men which extended to the feet [cf. Eng. stole (Dict. of Christ. Antiq. s. v.)], worn by kings (Jon. iii. 6), priests, and persons of rank: Mk. xii. 38; xvi. 5; Lk. xv. 22; xx. 46; Rev. vi. 11; vii. 9, 13, [14a, 14b Rec.; xxii. 14 L T Tr WH]. (Tragg., Xen., Plat., sqq.; Sept. chiefly for נֶּגֶד.) [Cf. Trench § 1.]*
1) an equipment
2) an equipment in clothes, clothing
2a) spec. a loose outer garment for men extending to the feet, worn by kings, priests, and persons of rank
στολή
stolē stol-ay' From G4724; equipment, that is, (specifically) a “stole” or long fitting gown (as a mark of dignity) KJV Usage: long clothing (garment), (long) robe.
3022 LSJ Gloss:λευκός light, bright, brilliant
Dodson:λευκός white, bright white, bright, brilliant.
Thayer:
1) light, bright, brilliant
1a) brilliant from whiteness, (dazzling) white
1a1) of the garments of angels, and of those exalted to the splendour of the heavenly state
1a2) shining or white garments worn on festive or state occasions
1a3) of white garments as the sign of innocence and purity of the soul
1b) dead white
1b1) of the whitening colour of ripening grain
λευκός
leukos lyoo-kos' From λύκη lukē (“light”); white KJV Usage: white.
Notice that these robes are not the same as the one’s in Sardis (Revelation 3), but they are the same as the one’s mentioned in Revelation 7. Different robes and garments for different administrations. This is important. It is called an “apparel of glory” in Isaiah 61:3. Jesus will wear this robe on the Day of the Lord when he comes to earth with his saints, Isaiah 63:1. The martyrs are given this white robe which symbolizes rank or position within their own administration. Then they are told to rest.
373 LSJ Gloss:ἀναπαύω to make to cease, to stop
Dodson:ἀναπαύω I make to rest, give rest to, rest, take my ease I make to rest, give rest to; mid. and pass: I rest, take my ease.
Thayer:
1) to cause or permit one to cease from any movement or labour in order to recover and collect his strength
2) to give rest, refresh, to give one's self rest, take rest
3) to keep quiet, of calm and patient expectation
ἀναπαύω
anapauō an-ap-ow'-o From G303 and G3973; (reflexively) to repose (literally or figuratively (be exempt), remain); by implication to refresh KJV Usage: take ease, refresh, (give, take) rest.
5550LSJ Gloss:χρόνος time
Dodson:χρόνος time, a particular time, season.
Thayer:
1) time either long or short
For Synonyms see entry G5853
χρόνος
chronos khron'-os Of uncertain derivation; a space of time (in genitive case, and thus properly distinguished from G2540, which designates a fixed or special occasion; and from G165, which denotes a particular period) or interval; by extension an individual opportunity; by implication delay KJV Usage: + years old, season, space, (X often-) time (-s), (a) while.
4137 LSJ Gloss:πληρόω to make full
Dodson:πληρόω I fill, fulfill, complete.
Thayer:
1) to make full, to fill up, i.e. to fill to the full
1a) to cause to abound, to furnish or supply liberally
1a1) I abound, I am liberally supplied
2) to render full, i.e. to complete
2a) to fill to the top: so that nothing shall be wanting to full measure, fill to the brim
2b) to consummate: a number
2b1) to make complete in every particular, to render perfect
2b2) to carry through to the end, to accomplish, carry out, (some undertaking)
2c) to carry into effect, bring to realisation, realise
2c1) of matters of duty: to perform, execute
2c2) of sayings, promises, prophecies, to bring to pass, ratify, accomplish
2c3) to fulfil, i.e. to cause God's will (as made known in the law) to be obeyed as it should be, and God's promises (given through the prophets) to receive fulfilment
πληρόω
plēroō play-ro'-o From G4134; to make replete, that is, (literally) to cram (a net), level up (a hollow), or (figuratively) to furnish (or imbue, diffuse, influence), satisfy, execute (an office), finish (a period or task), verify (or coincide with a prediction), etc. KJV Usage: accomplish, X after, (be) complete, end, expire, fill (up), fulfil, (be, make) full (come), fully preach, perfect, supply.
They are to rest until the time is filled up. There is an allotted time and an allotted number.
…..…— G2532 both G3588 G4889 their fellow-servants G1473 G2532 and G3588 G80 their brethren, G1473 G3588 the ones G3195 about G615 to be killed, G5613 as G2532 also G1473 they.
4889LSJ Gloss:σύνδουλος a fellow-slave
Dodson:σύνδουλος a fellow servant, colleague
a fellow slave, fellow servant; of Christians: a fellow worker, colleague.
Thayer:
1) a fellow servant, one who serves the same master with another
1a) the associate of a servant (or slave)
1b) one who with others serves (ministers to) a king
1c) a colleague of one who is Christ's servant in publishing the gospel
1d) one who with others acknowledges the same Lord, Jesus, and obeys his commands
1e) one who with others is subject to the same divine authority in the Messianic economy
1e1) of angels as the fellow servants of Christians
σύνδουλος
sundoulos soon'-doo-los From G4862 and G1401; a co-slave, that is, servitor or ministrant of the same master (human or divine) KJV Usage: fellowservant.
80LSJ Gloss:ἀδελφός sons of the same mother
Dodson:ἀδελφός a brother a brother, member of the same religious community, especially a fellow-Christian.
Thayer:
1) a brother, whether born of the same two parents or only of the same father or mother
2) having the same national ancestor, belonging to the same people, or countryman
3) any fellow or man
4) a fellow believer, united to another by the bond of affection
5) an associate in employment or office
6) brethren in Christ
6a) his brothers by blood
6b) all men
6c) apostles
6d) Christians, as those who are exalted to the same heavenly place
ἀδελφός
adelphos ad-el-fos' From G1 (as a connective particle) and δελφύς delphus (the womb); a brother (literally or figuratively) near or remote (much like [H1]) KJV Usage: brother.
615LSJ Gloss:ἀποκτείνω to kill, slay
Dodson:ἀποκτείνω I put to death, kill I put to death, kill; fig: I abolish.
Thayer:
1) to kill in any way whatever
1a) to destroy, to allow to perish
2) metaph. to extinguish, abolish
2a) to inflict mortal death
2b) to deprive of spiritual life and procure eternal misery in hell
ἀποκτείνω
apokteinō ap-ok-ti'-no From G575 and κτείνω kteinō (to slay); to kill outright; figuratively to destroy KJV Usage: put to death, kill, slay.
There are two groups of martyrs mentioned here, fellow servants and brothers. The martyrs will all be avenged after these two groups are killed. We don’t know their exact number or the exact time, but the majority of the martyrs show up in Revelation 7. So these may be the people who are blessed for living the 1335 days, as we will see later. But for this period, the time of the fifth seal, there are people martyred under the altar of sacrifice, which takes place only in Israel. They are given a special robe specific to their administration. They ask when they will be avenged. They are in heaven meeting with Jesus and the sixth seal is about to be opened.
In general, when does this take place? After Israel becomes its own nation and after the hands of the laity are sanctified; meaning the people are harpazo’d. This takes place during that first three and one half years of the tribulation; after an altar and temple are built so that the son of perdition can stop the sacrifices, claim that he is god, and that he atones for sin. At this point we see how harsh this time will be for those who are killed under the altar. Recognizing what is ahead on the earth, we are blessed to be able to share the love of Jesus, why he died for us, and the personal relationship that we can all have with him. He is a personal Savior who desires that all humans be saved.
