5th Seal- Wait Til the Number is Up

9When he opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and the testimony they had maintained. 10They called out in a loud voice, “How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?” 11Then each of them was given a white robe, and they were told to wait a little longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers and sisters,^e were killed just as they had been. (Rev. 6). 

Thoughts:  Many have asked, "If God is so good, why doesn't He do something about evil?"  The answer is that He will.  But it is in His timing- He is much more patient than we are.  Some similarly say, "When will God do something about evil?"  This passage was written to a persecuted church, to tell them that their persecution will not last forever, and evil will not last.
      It is interesting that the fifth seal is God telling His martyrs to wait.  The other breaking of the seals invited a horseman to come on.  God's timing is perfect and gracious.  He is waiting until the full number of people to repent and the full number of His martyrs- who will be honored forever- is complete. Part of our task on earth is also to wait on the Lord.  As we prepare for the season of advent- the season of waiting, this is an important thought.  God hears the prayers of us to hurry up and bring the kingdom to earth as it is in heaven- but this involves not just reward but judgment and God is only going to move when it is His time.  

Prayer:  Help me, Lord, to wait on you. Help me to trust in your timing, wisdom, and grace.