Revelation’s Seven Seals (part 5)

When the fifth seal opens, the scene shifts:

“When He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held.” (Revelation 6:9).

Many read this passage and assume it teaches that the soul goes to heaven at death. But according to Scripture, that is not the biblical picture. The truth must be stated plainly.

We return to the beginning, to Genesis, because the Bible defines what a soul is.

“And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living being.” (Genesis 2:7).

God formed a body. God breathed life into that body. He did not breathe a soul into the body. The soul is what the person becomes when body and breath come together. The soul is the living person. If the breath of life is removed, the person dies. There is no conscious soul floating away. The body returns to dust, and the person rests.

So, what does Revelation mean when it speaks of “souls under the altar?” It is not teaching that dead people are alive beneath an altar. It is describing the testimony—the memory—of those who have been slain, and it ties that memory to the sanctuary language of blood.

To understand this altar, we must remember that the sanctuary had two altars: the bronze altar of burnt offering in the outer court and the golden altar of incense in the holy place. The altar in view here is the altar of burnt offering. That is where the sacrifice died and where the blood was poured out.

Scripture describes the movement of blood in the sacrificial system:

“The priest shall put some of the blood on the horns of the altar of sweet incense before the Lord… and he shall pour the remaining blood at the base of the altar of burnt offering.” (Leviticus 4:7).

Some of the blood was taken into the holy place. The remainder was poured out at the base of the altar. That picture helps us understand Revelation. The “souls under the altar” point to blood poured out—death that bears witness. First, the blood of Christ. Then, in symbol, the blood of those who have died because they remained faithful.

The Bible uses this same language elsewhere. The blood of the righteous is said to “cry out.” Abel’s blood did not literally speak, but it testified.

“The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground.” (Genesis 4:10).

Blood cries out because it tells a story. It testifies that evil hates righteousness. It reveals that the conflict between good and evil is real. It declares that injustice has occurred—and that God has seen it all.

The fifth seal shows that same testimony rising before God:

“And they cried with a loud voice, saying, ‘How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?’” (Revelation 6:10).

“How long?” is the question of suffering people. It is the cry of those who have waited for evil to end. We hear the same cry today. How long, Lord? Why does evil continue? Why does suffering remain? Why does Jesus delay?

Scripture shows that God Himself uses this language. He asked Pharaoh:

“How long will you refuse to humble yourself before Me?” (Exodus 10:3).

He asked Israel:

“How long do you refuse to keep My commandments and My laws?” (Exodus 16:28).

He asked again when the people refused to believe, even after signs:

“How long will these people reject Me? And how long will they not believe Me, with all the signs which I have performed among them?” (Numbers 14:11).

“How long” is not only the cry of the suffering; it is also God’s question to a world that continues in unbelief.

Then the seal shows God’s answer. It is not a denial of justice. It is a promise with a delay.

“Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer.” (Revelation 6:11).

White robes represent the righteousness of Christ. Even late in the story, God remains the source of righteousness. He is still clothing His faithful people in Christ’s character. He has not abandoned them.

But the seal also says there is still “a little while longer.” There is still time. There is still work to be done. There is still sealing. There will still be suffering. The answer is not that God has forgotten. The answer is that God is finishing His work. And while He does, He gives His people the white robe—His righteousness—and tells them to rest in His care.

The fifth seal is not a message of despair; it is a call to endurance. It reminds us that God sees every injustice. Not one drop of blood is unnoticed. Not one act of faithfulness is forgotten. If you have ever asked, “How long, Lord?” you are not alone. Heaven has heard that cry before. The appeal of this seal is simple: remain faithful. Wear the white robe Christ provides. Rest in His righteousness. Justice may be delayed, but it is never denied. And the One who promises to judge and redeem will not forget His people.

Dwayne Toppenberg is a retired pastor who has dedicated over 10,000 hours to the study of the book of Revelation. He currently serves as an elder at the Metropolitan Seventh-day Adventist Church in Michigan.