Revelation 6:11

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.

And {G2532} white {G3022} robes {G4749} were given {G1325} unto every one of them {G1538}; and {G2532} it was said {G4483} unto them {G846}, that {G2443} they should rest {G373} yet {G2089} for a little {G3398} season {G5550}, until {G2193} their {G846} fellowservants {G4889} also {G2532} and {G2532} their {G846} brethren {G80}, that should {G3195} be killed {G615} as {G5613}{G2532} they {G846} were, should {G3739} be fulfilled {G4137}.

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 should be reached, of their brothers who would be killed, just as they had been.

Then each of them was given a white robe and told to rest a little while longer, until the full number of their fellow servants, their brothers, were killed, just as they had been killed.

And there was given them to each one a white robe; and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little time, until their fellow-servants also and their brethren, who should be killed even as they were, should have fulfilled their course.

Context

Revelation 6:11 immediately follows the opening of the fifth seal, described in Revelation 6:9-10. Under this seal, John sees the souls of those who had been slain for the word of God and for the testimony they held. These are martyrs crying out for justice, asking God how long it would be until He avenged their blood on those who dwell on the earth. Verse 11 is God's direct response to their plea, offering both comfort and a prophetic insight into future events.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Comfort and Reward: The giving of "white robes" symbolizes purity, righteousness, and victory. It is a divine affirmation of their faithfulness unto death and a promise of their heavenly reward. This gesture offers comfort to those who suffered for their faith.
  • God's Perfect Timing: The instruction to "rest yet for a little season" highlights God's sovereign control over time and events. While the martyrs yearned for immediate justice, God operates on His own perfect timetable, which often involves patience and waiting for His plan to unfold completely.
  • The Cost of Discipleship and Future Persecution: The phrase "until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they [were], should be fulfilled" reveals that the era of persecution is not yet over. It prophesies that more believers will face martyrdom for their faith before the ultimate culmination of God's redemptive and judicial plan. This emphasizes the reality of Christian suffering throughout history.
  • God's Assured Justice: Though delayed from a human perspective, the promise implies that justice will come. God is gathering all those who will seal their testimony with their lives, ensuring that His righteous judgment will be fully executed at the appointed time.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "white robes" (Greek: stolai leukai) is significant in Revelation. White garments frequently appear in the book, often signifying purity, righteousness, and triumph. For example, the great multitude in Revelation 7:9 is also depicted in white robes, symbolizing their cleansing by the blood of the Lamb. The concept of "rest" (Greek: anapausis) here denotes cessation from suffering and turmoil, a peaceful state of waiting in God's presence, distinct from eternal rest which implies finality.

Practical Application

For believers today, Revelation 6:11 offers several profound lessons:

  • Perseverance in Suffering: It reminds us that suffering and even martyrdom are part of the historical Christian experience. We are called to persevere in our faith, knowing that our ultimate reward and vindication come from God, not from immediate earthly relief.
  • Trust in God's Timing: When faced with injustice or delayed answers to prayer, this verse encourages patience and trust in God's perfect timing. He sees the whole picture and will act justly and decisively when His purposes are fulfilled.
  • Solidarity with Persecuted Believers: The mention of "fellowservants" and "brethren" highlights the unity of believers across time and space. We are connected to those who have suffered and those who will yet suffer for Christ, fostering a sense of solidarity and prompting prayer for the persecuted church worldwide.
  • Hope in Heavenly Reward: The giving of white robes assures believers of their divine approval and eternal reward, providing profound hope even in the face of death. This hope is a powerful motivator to live faithfully. For further encouragement on rest, see Revelation 14:13.
Note: Commentary was generated by an advanced AI, utilizing a prompt that emphasized Biblical fidelity over bias. We've found these insights to be consistently reliable, yet we always encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit. The Scripture text and cross-references are from verified, non-AI sources.

  • Revelation 7:9

    After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;

  • Revelation 14:13

    ¶ And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed [are] the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.

  • Revelation 3:4

    Thou hast a few names even in Sardis which have not defiled their garments; and they shall walk with me in white: for they are worthy.

  • Revelation 3:5

    He that overcometh, the same shall be clothed in white raiment; and I will not blot out his name out of the book of life, but I will confess his name before my Father, and before his angels.

  • Revelation 7:14

    And I said unto him, Sir, thou knowest. And he said to me, These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.

  • Hebrews 11:40

    God having provided some better thing for us, that they without us should not be made perfect.

  • Isaiah 26:20

    ¶ Come, my people, enter thou into thy chambers, and shut thy doors about thee: hide thyself as it were for a little moment, until the indignation be overpast.

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