What was given these martyrs?
Answer
"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 fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were,
should be fulfilled [have fulfilled their course, R.V.]." Verse 11.
NOTE - These had been slain during the hundreds of years covered by the preceding seal. Their
persecutors, most of them, at least, had died. And if they had at death passed to their punishment, as is by
some supposed, why should the martyred ones still importune for their punishment? In this, as in other
parts of the Bible, the figure of personification is used, in which inanimate objects are represented as alive
and speaking, and things that are not as though they were. See Judges 9:8-15; Rom. 4:17. These martyrs
had gone down as heretics under the darkness and superstition of the preceding seal, covered with
ignominy and shame. Now, in the light of the Reformation, their true character appears, and they are seen
to have been righteous, and hence are given "white robes." "The fine linen [white robes] is the
righteousness of saints." Rev. 19:8. Righteousness is ascribed to them; and when they have rested a little
longer where they are-under the altar-till all others who are to fall for their faith have followed them, then
together they will be raised to life and immortality.
In receiving the Son what do we have in Him?
Why did the apostle say this duty was so imperative?
14. What was the next step in their plan to secure lawful authority to carry out their unlawful purpose?
When asked which commandments, what did Jesus say?
What did the bishops determine to do?
Unto whom are God's people to be gathered?
Of what family does Paul speak in Ephesians?
Questions & Answers are from the book Bible Readings for the Home Circle