B. The Second Rank— The Tribulation Martyrs That our understanding of the doctrine of the resur rection may be crystal clear it is important to observe what might be called another, but yet vital part of the first resurrection. This we call the tribulation martyr’s resurrection which occurs immediately following the seven-year tribulation period. In Revelation 6:9-11 we read, “ And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were slain for the word of God, and for the testimony which they held: And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, 0 Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth? And white robes were given unto every one of them, and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.” Also we read, “And I saw thrones, and they sat upon them, and judgment was given unto them: and I saw the souls of them that were be headed for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their fore heads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4). This Scripture introduces us to an entirely different group than those we have previously considered, and it involves a resurrection which should be given serious thought. While there are several interpretations, it seems quite clear that the martyrs referred to here are the trib ulation martyrs, those who in all probability were not ready when the Lord came for His own in the rapture in what has previously been discussed as the first rank in the first resurrection of the dead in Christ. When the Lord came for His own, these were awakened by the snatching away of their friends to find that God’s Word means just what it says, and they then turned in true repentance to God. Wliile they had missed the rapture, yet they now bore witness for the Lord and for His cause suffered martyrdom. One of the signs that this does not belong to the Christian dispensation is the fact that they prayed for vengeance upon their enemies, as is set forth in the tenth verse, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10). Unlike the church, the remnant desire and ask the destruction of their enemies and exult in the anticipation thereof. Every Christian knows that the Spirit of God does not lead him to such prayers and anticipations as are set forth in certain Psalms. Take, for instance, this statement, “ The righteous shall rejoice when he seeth the vengeance: he shall wash his feet in the blood of the wicked” (Ps. 58:10). This is the explanation of the usage of certain Psalms (such as the 28th, 35th, 55th, 58th and others), and can only be understood and explained as seen in their application to this hour. Unlike Stephen or our Lord who cried for mercy on their murderers, the martyrs here ask for vengeance. In those days these Spirit-inspired Psalms will come into realization when their enemies will be God’s enemies, and there will be the prayer of vengeance as here noted. Already we have been told concerning those who have been slain for the Word of God that “ . . . they cried with a loud voice,
saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?” (Rev. 6:10). Certainly this is more like a Jewish than a Christian appeal, and yet in its place is perfect and fully owned of God. Reading on we are told, “And white robes were given unto every one of them; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellow servants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled” (vs. 11). Here are saints, martyrs crying to be avenged on the dwellers on earth, but were told they must wait yet a little for the time of vengeance until certain others to be slain as they had been, have suffered death. Thus it seems clear that here is a special resurrection which is often lost sight of, known as the resurrection of the tribulation martyrs, and which should be considered a phase of the first resurrection, and yet nevertheless dis tinct from it in that a short period of time intervenes. If this is not true then here is a great obstacle to accept ing a pre-tribulation rapture. Here we fix in our thinking the fact that the Old Testament saints, spoken of in Hebrews 11:39, 40, “And these all, having obtained a good report through faith, received not the promise: God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect,” are waiting for the moment of our resur rection; and “they that are Christ’s at his coming,” would surely include them. Thus here is a clear picture in which the church, symbolized by the elders, are seen following in the train of Christ as He comes forth from heaven to execute judgment upon His foes (Rev. ch. 4-19). Subsequent chapters inform us of the death of these others under the persecutions of the beast, “ . . . the souls of them!, that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God (martyrs), and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands (these are the company for whom the former had to wait), and they lived and reigned with Christ a thou sand years” (Rev. 20:4). It may be helpful if we pause here to notice the prophetic history of the two witnesses set forth in Revela tion 11. We are told in this chapter how, when the two witnesses had finished their testimony, they shall be killed; after three and a half days the spirit of life of God will enter into them, they will stand again on their feet; then they shall hear a great voice from heaven saying unto them, “ come up hither.” Now the connection of the two witnesses with the Jewish remnant is obvious.
Dr. Lindsey has been an outstanding voice for evangelism in the Pacific Northwest. He has also been speaker at Biolais annual Torrey Memorial Bible Conference. His articles o f prophetic nature in THE K ING ’S BUSINESS have been greatly blessed of the Lord.
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