(Revelation 6:9)
Underneath this altar John sees the blood of the slaughtered saints. He saw their souls, for 'the soul is in the blood' (Lev. 17:11). They had offered their lives as a sacrifice, having clung tenaciously to the testimony which they had received concerning the Christ and salvation in Him. These are the souls which under the second seal were being slaughtered. These souls are crying for vengeance on those who have slaughtered them.
The question arises, how can we harmonize this cry for judgment and vengeance with Christ's prayer for His enemies (Luke 23:34) and with Stephen's prayer of 'Lord, lay not this sin to their charge'? We answer, these martyrs do not invoke retribution for their own sake but for God's sake. These saints have been slaughtered because they placed their trust and confidence in God. In slaughtering them, the world has scorned Him! Does not God Himself affirm that the blood of His saints cries for wrath? (Gen. 4:10; Heb. 11:4) Insignificant individuals, mere earth-dwellers, have defied the holy, true, and sovereign Lord of the universe. They have challenged His attributes. Unless full retribution be rendered, God's righteousness and sovereignty will not shine forth in its full and perfect luster. No, the saint in glory does not desire personal vengeance any more than Stephen, but he yearns for the coming of that Great Day when the majesty and holiness, the sovereignty and righteousness of God in Christ shall be publicly revealed.
(William Hendriksen)
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