• Revelation 6:9-11
    When He opened the fifth seal, 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?" Then a white robe was given to each of them; and it was said to them that they should rest a little while longer, until both the number of their fellow servants and their brethren, who would be killed as they were, was completed.
     
  • Matthew 24:9
    "Then they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name's sake.
     
  • Revelation 12:11
    And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony, and they did not love their lives to the death.
     
  • Matthew 24:21-28
    For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be. And unless those days were shortened, no flesh would be saved; but for the elect's sake those days will be shortened. “Then if anyone says to you, ‘Look, here is the Christ!’ or ‘There!’ do not believe it. For false christs and false prophets will rise and show great signs and wonders to deceive, if possible, even the elect. See, I have told you beforehand. “Therefore if they say to you, ‘Look, He is in the desert!’ do not go out; or ‘Look, He is in the inner rooms!’ do not believe it. For as the lightning comes from the east and flashes to the west, so also will the coming of the Son of Man be. For wherever the carcass is, there the eagles will be gathered together.
     
  • Luke 21:16-17
    You will be betrayed even by parents and brothers, relatives and friends; and they will put some of you to death. And you will be hated by all for My name's sake.
     
  • John 16:2-4
    They will put you out of the synagogues; yes, the time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service. And these things they will do to you because they have not known the Father nor Me. But these things I have told you, that when the time comes, you may remember that I told you of them.“And these things I did not say to you at the beginning, because I was with you.
     
  • Acts 7:57-58
    Then they cried out with a loud voice, stopped their ears, and ran at him with one accord; and they cast him out of the city and stoned him. And the witnesses laid down their clothes at the feet of a young man named Saul.
     
For more scripture references, please see Bible verses for Martyrdom


Resources

Eroding Religious Freedom

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Freedom of religion in America is being slowly eroded rather than removed en masse. However, the Bible encourages us in such times.


The Fifth Seal (Part Two)

'Prophecy Watch' by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Persecution and martyrdom are not popular topics among Christians, but they are facts. The fifth seal shows the cry of the martyrs and God's response.


Prudence

Sermonette by Ronny H. Graham

We should not bring about needless persecution on ourselves or on the body of Christ because of our foolish texting, posting, tweeting, or e-mailing.


Persecution

Sermon by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Although many have gone through sore trials, virtually no one has gone through the nightmarish persecutions suffered by the early Christians in Imperial Rome.


They Could Not Destroy It!

Commentary by Martin G. Collins

Miraculously, each attempt to destroy the Scriptures resulted in the printers doubling their production. Christ has always supplied the means to spread the Word.


The Seven Churches (Part Four): Smyrna

Bible Study by Richard T. Ritenbaugh

Jesus Christ's letter to the church in Smyrna contains a rarity among the seven churches: He levels no criticism! What makes the Smyrnans so acceptable?


Facing Times of Stress: Forewarned of Persecution!

Sermon by Martin G. Collins

Under the best of times, God's people are not immune to persecution. Persecution for righteousness' sake is evidence that God's people have Christ's Spirit.


Who Are the 'Souls Under the Altar' Mentioned in Revelation 6:9-11?

Bible Questions & Answers

The fifth seal is symbolic of the coming Great Tribulation. Revelation 6 reveals an event to take place on the earth just before Christ's return.



For more resources, please see the library topic for Martyrdom