Souls under the altar

You are asking about content from Revelation chapter six. In that part of Revelation, the apostle John is relaying information about what we can expect to see taking place on this earth until the day the Lord returns visibly and in glory. What we can expect (Revelation 6:9-11) is that followers of the Lord will be persecuted.

The apostle John knew about persecution firsthand. When he penned Revelation, he was an exile on the island of Patmos because of his faith (Revelation 1:9). We learn in Revelation 6:9-11 that some Christians will experience the most severe form of persecution: paying for their testimony about Jesus with their lives. Jesus provided similar information in Matthew 24:9.

Some of the first recipients of the book of Revelation (those who belonged to the churches listed in chapters two and three) may have had family members or Christian friends who were killed for their faith. Did their martyrdom mean that they were to be pitied? Were those Christians who were killed for the faith now lacking anything? Not at all. They and all martyred followers of the Lord are described as being “under the altar” (Revelation 6:9).

Think of the symbolism associated with altars in biblical times and altars in our churches today: altars symbolize the presence of God. Now think of the meaning of that vision in Revelation chapter six. Christians who had been killed for the faith are described as being under the altar of God in heaven. There is of course no need for an altar in heaven to symbolize the presence of God. Christians who die in the faith, no matter how their earthly lives end, enter the presence of God. But remember that Revelation was written for people still living on earth, so in this vision we find an altar in heaven that represents the presence of God.

This vision in Revelation is packed with tremendous meaning and comfort. When Christians die, they enter the presence of God in heaven. They are not merely near an object—an altar—that represents the presence of God; they are in the presence of God. They are free from all spiritual enemies. They are safe and secure forever.

This vision demonstrates the purpose of the book of Revelation: it is designed to provide comfort and strength to God’s people.