I saw under the altar the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony which they held. And they cried with a loud voice, saying, “How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge and avenge our blood on those who dwell on the earth?”
-Revelation 6:9-10
This question has been the cry of believers for more than two millennia. How long will godly people have to suffer while evil prevails? How long must we continue to endure in this fallen world? How long will Jesus’ return be delayed? The answer that God provides to the apostle John through the book of Revelation reveals both His sovereignty and His grace: until the plan of salvation has been accomplished. Throughout the book, we see the tension play out between judgment and redemption, with God several times pausing his acts to issue a call to repentance. For all its prophetic value, the book of Revelation is also a stunning testament to God’s faithfulness—and a plea for all people to receive the grace and mercy that He offers while there is still time.
John opens the book of Revelation with an explanation to his audience— believers located in seven churches in Asia Minor—that what they are about to read was revealed to him directly by Christ. He affirms that he is John the disciple, their brother and companion in tribulation, who is living in exile on the isle of Patmos. The vision that John witnessed must have startled him. Despite the number of years that had passed since he had last seen Jesus, he would have certainly still had vivid memories of Jesus’ earthly appearance. But the One he saw in his vision bore little resemblance to the man he had known. This Christ was not the lowly Galilean rabbi or the gentle Lamb of God. He was the awe-inspiring Judge of the nations revealed in all His glory—the mighty Lion of God. While other people in the New Testament also encountered the risen Lord, none of them was specifically instructed to write down what they had seen so it could be read by others. What John saw is for all believers everywhere and every time.
John uses physical descriptions to record his vision of Christ, but these descriptions are also deeply symbolic about Jesus’ nature. First, Jesus is wearing a flowing robe and a golden band around His chest (see Revelation 1:13), which refers to His role as the great High Priest of His people. His hair is “white like wool” (verse 14), which speaks of His wisdom and eternal nature.
Jesus’ eyes are far different than when John saw them last. Gone is the compassion that the disciple likely remembered. In its place are flames capable of penetrating the deepest part of the soul. His feet are like brass, symbolizing His power to judge the nations. His voice is like the roar of many waters, symbolizing its power to be heard across the realm of the earth (see verses 14–15).
Jesus is holding seven stars in his right hand. In John’s day, the right hand was a symbol of power and safety, and the seven stars are identified as the seven angels who were sent to guide and protect those congregations. The sword that comes out of Jesus’ mouth represents the Word of God, which He will use to judge humanity. The brightness of Christ’s face indicates that His light will illuminate a dark and sinful world (see verse 16).
Taken together, these images reveal Jesus as the Holy One who is coming to judge the works of His church. All believers will stand before Him as He evaluates their deeds. We may imagine ourselves reacting as John did at such a prospect—by falling down in a dead faint—but we must remember He is the same Savior in whom we have put our trust.
So, while the images may seem alarming, we have nothing to fear. In fact, we can take comfort from this passage. Jesus not only knows the future but also lives in it just as comfortably as He does in what has been. He holds all power in His hands, yet He invites us to draw near and walk with Him. He sees everything that lies ahead for each one of us and says to us all, “Do not be afraid!”
Adapted from Revelation: The Ultimate Hope in Christ (Jeremiah Bible Study Series) by Dr. David Jeremiah.