HE OPENED THE FIFTH SEAL          	 Pastor Bob Chroninger 
Trinity C.U.  11-21-99 A.M.  		 Rev.6:9-11    	
	The first four broken seals allowed the appearance of the antichrist.. on a white horse; 
the red horse and rider who had power to take peace from the earth; the black horse and rider.. 
famine worldwide... and the pale horse and rider (death) with Hades following... power to kill 
one fourth of the population with the sword, hunger, death, and beasts.  Among the slain will 
be a host of tribulation saints.. Now.. John sees... 
I.  THEIR CONDITION.. 
  A. Where They Were.. 
    1. Saw the "souls" under the altar.. in heaven 
	- The body can be killed.. Mt.10:28 
	- It is the "temporary" dwelling place... for now 
	- The Soul never dies... in the sense of "extinction" 
	- He is the God of the living..  Lu.20:38 
	- Their "slaying" was not the end of them!!
	- They are "believers".. in heaven.. the wicked are in Hades 
	- Whatever unbelief & evil before... now (after the rapture and the 4 horsemen)
        they are now willing to take their stand with and for Christ 
  B. Why They Were.. 
    1. They were slain for the Word of God  vs.9 
	- Their "stand" makes a clear distinction between the humanistic philosophies and the 
	    Word of God
	- The animosity toward the Bible as the Word of God will grow 
    2. They were slain for the Testimony which they held 
	- The world hated Jesus... and eventually crucified Him 
	- The world hates believers today.. and will vent its hatred 
	- Persecution is not new.. and has not stopped 
	- The tendency is to reject the message & kill the messenger 
 ** You have the opportunity NOW.. if the rapture occurs & you are left behind.. it will be more 
	difficult .. and if you ever are saved then... it will be through great trial and bloodshed!! 
II.  THEIR CRY..  10 
  A. It Was A Loud Cry.. 
    1. They were slain.. but they are victoriously alive! 
  B. It Was A Question..  "How Long?" 
    1. They know that vengeance is the Lord's Doing.. Judgment is coming 
    2. They know that God's justice will prevail.. just when? 
  C. It Was Addressed To The Lord  (despots) "Master, Ruler" 
    1. The Holy One.. & because He is.. He must judge sin! 
    2. The True One..  He must keep His word. 
    3. The Judging One.. all judgment given to Jesus.. Jn.5:22 
    4. The Avenging One.. Over and over we are told of the vengeance of out God... 
       Is.59:17,18;61:2;63:4; Jer.46:10; Micah 5:15; Mal.4:1,2; 2Thes.1:6-9 
  D. It Was In Anticipation of Their "resurrection".. reunion of soul & body. 
III.  THEIR COMFORT.. 11 
  A. The Provision.. 
    1. White Robes were given to every one of them.. 
	- symbol of divine approval..  acceptable garments.. Mt.22:11,12 
	- "white raiment to cover them... 3:18" 
	- God cares for our needs... whether here or there !!! 
	- He will NEVER Leave us nor forsake us !!  Heb.13:5 
  B. The Instruction.. 
    1. They were told to "rest" for a little season.. 
	- There is a "rest" for the people of God.. Heb.4:1-11 
    2. They were told to "rest" until.. 
	- There are more to be killed.. 7:9-17; 13:15 
	- The persecution will escalate 
	- Continued suffering & death for God's faithful witnesses 
    3. They were told that the time would be "fulfilled" 
	- Good to know that others will take their stand after us... 
BE READY.. BE WATCHING.. BE DOING !!!
   BE THANKFUL... 
	THAT TODAY IS STILL A DAY OF GRACE..  ACTS 17:30,31 
	THAT YOU CAN REPENT OF YOUR SINS.. TURN FROM THEM.. TURN TO GOD. 
	THAT YOU CAN BELIEVE THAT JESUS IS THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING 
      	GOD.. CRUCIFIED, BURIED, RISEN, AND COMING AGAIN !! 
	THAT YOU CAN HAVE YOUR PLACE IN HEAVEN WHEN THE TIME COMES !!