What Martyrs Want

Revelation uses the word “soul” ( psuche ) seven times (6:9; 8:9; 12:11; 16:3; 18:13, 14; 20:4). (Two moose just walked past my library window . . . .)

The “seven” is suggestive of Genesis 1, and the other sevens of Revelation. Whether or not we can match up the seven uses of the word with seven days of creation, there is definitely a sequence to the use of the word. In 6:9, we are introduced to the souls of those slain for the word of God and testimony of Jesus who cry for vindication. The final use of the word matches: John sees “the souls of whose who had been beheaded because of the testimony of Jesus and because of the word of God” come to life and reign with Jesus (20:4).

The movement is from martyrdom to monarchy, from victim to vindication, from execution to enthronement.

Addendum: A reader asks if the martyrs’ desire for vindication makes them selfish. I think not. God’s reputation is damaged if His people are slaughtered and He does nothing; the martyrs want God to defend His reputation; He’s promised that His people will share His glory and authority, and so that’s what they want to happen. There is a kind of self-interest, but it’s enclosed within a desire for God to triumph. Nobody in the Bible thinks: “I want God to triumph, but I don’t care what happens to me.” God triumphing includes vindication of His people.