Pastor’s Thoughts – 09/13/2026

We as Christians watching the daily events of our world can become very disturbed and downcast at the actions taking place. We see at every turn that we are out of step and different in our thinking than most of the trends, opinions, and happenings that are being accepted and promoted by others. That which helps us sort through these things is knowledge that the Lord has given us through His Word. Because of the Bible we can know who humanity is, and why humanity has offensive thinking, and a world system of deep corruption. It is a mindset of evil being assimilated by the masses of people and accepted as good. We can only receive clarity from God’s Word, and thereby understand why every conceivable and illogical sin is so naturally attractive and abundant in our world. As Christians, we find ourselves in constant friction with the common thinking of these last days prophesied as, “difficult times” (2 Tim. 3:1). This uncomfortable state is our natural condition for all who are in Christ, for we are emphatically commanded not to love the world (1 John 2:15). This tells us that if we are comfortable in the changing attitudes of our culture and its rebellion against God and His revealed standards, then there is something very wrong with our claim to be Christian.

We have recently been engaged in a study of the book of Revelation. Chapters 6 and into chapter 19 address the prophesied time of the coming tribulation. It is a time when God will empty His holy wrath upon the advanced sinfulness of our world. This will lead to the second coming of our Lord. During this time, scenes and events are described both on the earth and in heaven. In Revelation 6:9-11 we are given a view of martyrs for Christ, now in heaven, and their prayers. By this we know that many will come to faith during this worst of all times and will be hated and murdered. Why are they killed? He writes, “Because of the Word of God and because of the testimony they maintained” (Rev. 6:9). This means they were believing and standing in their belief on God’s Word, and that their testimony was offensive to those in control on the earth. These in heaven are specifically called, “souls” because the resurrection of their bodies has not yet taken place. The resurrection of Tribulation saints is addressed in Revelation 20 verse 4, and occurs after Christ’s second coming (Rev. 19:11).

What is instructional to us is what these martyred saints are doing upon their entry into heaven. We find them, “under the altar” and engaged in prayer. The brazen altar pictured in heaven is an altar that we know on earth stood at the door of the Temple’s Holy Place, and at the bottom of the altar all the blood of the offerings was poured (Lev. 4:7). The altar was the place where sin was expiated, and it was natural for these redeemed martyrs, pictured in the heavenly Temple, to commune with their Lord. What is especially revealing about this is the attitude of these martyrs. “And they cried out with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth’” (Rev. 6:10)? Here is the remarkable nature of this revelation. Notice first they spoke with loud voices. What does this tell us? It addresses how important this is to them. And why? Because God’s justice is not seen by them as complete until their vindication occurs. Even though these are in glory, and are no longer being personally troubled but safe and in a glorious environment, yet what is their focus and concern? They call upon Christ reflecting Him as, “Holy and True.” These martyred saints are thereby contrasted with the wicked upon the earth, and their emphasis is on the expectation of Christ’s perfect justice.

There are several key instructional blessings in this future scene. First, these martyred saints are aware of what is happening on earth, and not only that, even though in a state of bliss, they are committed to the justice and righteousness of Christ. They know that God has promised to correct all inequities. This also informs us that these are not selfish. It is not merely their personal immediate comfort they seek, but more important to them is the consummation by Christ of crushing the head of Satan and putting an end to sin. Today, it appears the wicked are winning and will win. That is the direction of our nation and of our world. But we know God’s Word, and that God has the last word, and that eternity has no future except in Him. How then do we apply the attitude of these dear saints seen in glory to us? What we should ask ourselves is do we share their passion for the holiness and righteousness of God to prevail? Are we saying as well, “How long O Lord, holy and true, will You refrain from judging and avenging?” I heard one of the pastors whom I respect answer a question of what was most appealing to him in his thoughts about heaven? He stated that the most appealing thing to him is that heaven will be absent of all sin.

These saints in heaven are given an answer to their prayer. “And a white robe was given to each of them; and they were told that they were to rest for a little while longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers and sisters who were to be killed even as they had been, was completed also” (Rev. 6:11). God is carrying out His perfect plan. If we are in Christ Jesus, we are part of all that He is doing. Soon all of this will be over. “For yet in a little while, He who is coming will come, and not delay” (Heb. 10:37). Come Lord Jesus!