Living by Dying / David Jeremiah

 

Living by Dying 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    In the Old Testament, the blood of a sacrificial bull was poured out at the base of the altar (Exodus 29:12; Leviticus 4:7). The blood pooling at the base of the altar was a stark image of death by sacrifice.

Recommended Reading: Romans 12: 1 – 2

In his vision of heaven, John saw a sacrificial altar under which were the souls of those martyred during the Tribulation (Revelation 6:9). They were “under the altar,” a picture of sacrifice. Only instead of the blood of a bull, it was the blood of martyrs for the Lord. But note where the souls of these martyrs were seen: in heaven! They gave their earthly life for Christ, and He gave them heavenly life for eternity. That is the “give and receive” transaction all Christians make when they believe in Christ: We give our life to and for Him, and He gives eternal life to us. You may never be called upon to sacrifice your life as a martyr. But all Christians are called to be a “living sacrifice” for Christ throughout life (Romans 12:1). It is better for me to be a martyr than a monarch. Ignatius (martyred ca. A.D. 1100)