Revelation 6 Devotional

The Lamb Opens Every Seal

“And they cried out in a loud voice, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell upon the earth and avenge our blood?””Revelation 6:10 (BSB)

Revelation 6 is hard to read. As the Lamb opens the seals, riders go out: one bent on conquest, one who takes peace from the earth, one bringing scarcity, and one named Death, with Hades following (6:2-8). The chapter does not pretend these sorrows are small.

But notice who opens each seal. It is the Lamb (6:1). The riders do not break loose on their own; each is granted its power and its limits (6:4, 8). At the fifth seal, John sees under the altar those who were killed for the word of God. They cry out to the Lord, holy and true, asking how long until he judges and avenges their blood (6:9-10). God does not rebuke the question. He gives each of them a white robe and tells them to rest a little longer (6:11). At the sixth seal, the powerful and the powerless alike hide from the wrath of the Lamb (6:15-17). Justice is coming. Until then, you are free to bring your laments to him.

To think about: What injustice or sorrow can you bring to God honestly today, trusting that he hears and will act?