Revelation 6:7-11 (the fourth and fifth seals opened)

7 And when he had opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth beast say, Come and see.

8 And I looked, and behold a pale horse: and his name that sat on him was Death, and Hell followed with him. And power was given unto them over the fourth part of the earth, to kill with sword, and with hunger, and with death, and with the beasts of the earth.

9 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:

10 And 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?

11 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 fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.

Heavenly Father, thank You for giving Your Son the Lamb for us so that we may overcome Satan by Your's Son blood and the word of our testimony and we love not our lives unto the death. Help us to know You and Your Son and Your Holy Spirit better through our study of Your Word, and also strengthen Your Church, including all of Your missionaries, pastors and church leaders, and all those being persecuted for Your Son's name, including in North Korea, China, Africa and Muslim lands, and Christians here like Peter Vlaming who have lost their jobs for not compromising on Your Word, and keep Chinese leaders from corrupting Your Word in Chinese-language Bibles and help believers in North Korea and China, including children, to know You and meet in the truth of Your Word. Help us also as we face living in this time and place which is more and more rejecting Your Son and in which evil is so often called good and good evil, lies are called true and the truth called lies, and false accusers abound, as Satan's temporary grip on this world is increasing, and in which coldness is growing in many churches and those with the spirit of the tare and the spirit of the hireling so often have the loudest voices. Help us also to follow Your direction on how we are to live each day, not depending on our own sight or own understanding but on You, and help, too, our leaders in the world, including the Trumps and Pences, and help our nation also so that many hearts here turn back to You and many more souls are saved. Help and protect also children who are being abused and children in the womb and those fighting to protect them. In Jesus' precious name, Amen.

And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood

This verse shows that the first four seals are not part of the Great Tribulation. If the Great Tribulation had started, these souls in heaven wouldn't have asked this question. They are asking because they know it hasn't started.

Then, in the earthquake of the the sixth seal, those on earth recognize the appearance of the Lord's wrath.

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