Rev 6:9-10 | TNotes | STEP | Summary for Rev 6:9-11: 6:9-11 In counterpoint to the world’s destructive ways (6:1-8 ), the fifth seal introduces Christian martyrs who ask how God intends to deal with evil. 6:9 Rather than follow the world’s destructive ways, the martyrs gave their lives for the word of God .

Summary for Rev 6:9-11: 6:9-11 ^a In counterpoint to the world’s destructive ways (6:1-8 ^b), the fifth seal introduces Christian martyrs who ask how God intends to deal with evil. 6:9 ^c Rather than follow the world’s destructive ways, the martyrs gave their lives for the word of God.
6:10 ^d The martyrs shouted to the Sovereign Lord because they trusted in his power to redress their grievances.

• how long: Is God slow to act? Will justice be done? God does act decisively (see 6:12-14 ^e); his wrath (6:16-17 ^f) must be understood in terms of justice, fairness, and righteousness (see Exod 34:5-7 ^g; Neh 9:17 ^h; Pss 103:8 ⁱ; 145:8 ^j; Joel 2:13 ^k; Jon 4:2 ^l; Rom 2:6-11 ^m).

• avenge our blood: This cry for God’s justice follows the pattern of imprecatory (vengeance) psalms (see Pss 6:3 ⁿ; 74:10 ^o; 79:5 ^p; 80:4 ^q; 137:1-9 ^r). It also reflects the covenant curses of Deut 28:53-57 ^s; 32:35 ^t (quoted in Rom 12:19 ^u).