Once again, with this past weekend on my mind, the prayer point stands out to me.

In vs 2, we see Jesus as He rides forth conquering and to conquer. This is not the antichrist but the true Christ, for the true Christ is the one who rides forth on the white horse conquering (cf. Revelation 19:11ff). It is an apocalyptic picture of our Savior’s death and then victory over death. The next three seals are a bit odd. We expect to see this White Horse rider leading the battle charge and immediately conquering all others. However, it doesn’t work that way. This Rider leads a spiritual army and establishes a spiritual kingdom, not a physical one. In fact, in the physical realm, it looks like the White Rider’s enemies are winning.

The Red Rider goes forth and causes war. People are being slain…the White Rider’s people.

The Black Rider goes forth with famine. But not necessarily a complete famine. The price for wheat and barley are exorbitant. However, it is not as if they don’t have things like oil and wine. The point is the White Rider’s people are not being allowed to purchase the good stuff. They are being oppressed.

The Pale Rider goes forth bringing death. The White Rider’s people are being killed by sword, famine, pestilence and wild beasts. They are facing natural tragedy as well as persecution, but all of it is part of the overall spiritual battle the enemy wages against the people of the White Rider. 

Then the fifth seal is broken and we actually get our proof that all this bad stuff is happening not merely in general but in specific to Jesus’ people, the White Rider’s people. The martyrs, the ones who have died at the hands of the Red, Black and Pale Riders cry out for justice. We hear their prayer.

O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you will judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?

The question is essentially, “God, we know you are the winner. How long until you act like it? We know our leader, the White Rider, is conquering. How long until we actually see it?”

God’s response is phenomenal:

Then they were each given a white robe and told to rest a little longer, until the number of their fellow servants and their brothers should be complete, who were to be killed as they themselves had been.

Here is the point about prayer we all need to see. How often do we think God has said, “No,” when what He has actually said is, “Wait.” In the moment, it may have appeared to the martyrs that God was denying their request. Rather, He was pointing out that He had a plan they could not fathom. He would grant their request when it best fit in with His plan.

I need to remember that. Sometimes God is not denying my request. He is telling me to wait, relying on Him and trusting His wisdom to know when the affirmative fits best in His plan for me, for all and for His own glory.

Of course, I know many will disagree with me. But I believe there is a representation of elapsed time between vs. 11 and vs. 12. I think we often miss that this is not a regular story book. It is an apocalyptic vision, giving flashes not detailed story. We actually get to see God granting the request of the martyrs. In vss. 12-16, as the sixth seal is opened, we witness God’s judgment on those who have oppressed and martyred the servants of the White Rider. It is the great day of the wrath of the Lamb and those who have been oppressing the people of the Lamb are now running for their lives and can’t get away. 

God told the martyrs to wait. They did wait and God’s judgment finally came. This chapter presents the number one message of the entire book of Revelation. It is the message we will repeat over and over again as we blog through this book over the next two weeks.

Sometimes it looks like Jesus is losing. However, in the end, He always wins. We need to stay on His side, trusting Him even when He tells us to wait.

Keep the faith and keep reading,

ELC