Do the “souls under the alter” in Revelation 6:9,10 prove immortality of soul?

The interpretation of the “souls under the altar” in Revelation 6:9-10 has significant implications for understanding the nature of the soul and its state after death. This passage has often been cited in debates about the immortality of the soul. However, a thorough analysis of the Bible suggests that this imagery does not prove the doctrine of the soul’s inherent immortality. Instead, it can be understood as a symbolic representation consistent with the concept of “soul sleep” and the overall biblical narrative, which does not support the immortality of the soul.

Revelation 6:9-10 in Context

Revelation 6:9-10 states:

“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?'”

To interpret these verses correctly, it is essential to consider their symbolic nature within the apocalyptic literature of Revelation. The Book of Revelation is rich with symbolism and imagery, often drawing from Old Testament prophetic language.

Symbolic Representation

The “souls under the altar” symbolize the martyrs who have died for their faith. The altar itself is reminiscent of the altar of sacrifice in the Old Testament Temple, where sacrifices were made to atone for sin. In this context, the souls under the altar are depicted as sacrifices for their testimony and faithfulness to God.

This imagery does not necessarily indicate a literal conscious existence of souls in an intermediate state. Instead, it conveys the idea of their lives and sacrifices being remembered by God. The cry for justice (“How long, O Lord?”) is a poetic expression of their desire for God’s righteous judgment, echoing the sentiments found in Psalms, where the psalmists frequently plead with God for justice (e.g., Psalm 94:3-4).

The Concept of “Soul Sleep”

The concept of “soul sleep” posits that the dead are in a state of unconsciousness until the resurrection at the Second Coming of Christ. Several passages in the Bible support this view:

1. Ecclesiastes 9:5-6:”For the living know that they will die; But the dead know nothing, And they have no more reward, For the memory of them is forgotten. Also their love, their hatred, and their envy have now perished; Nevermore will they have a share In anything done under the sun.”This passage clearly states that the dead know nothing, indicating a state of unconsciousness.
2. Psalm 146:4:”His spirit departs, he returns to his earth; In that very day his plans perish.”This verse emphasizes that when a person dies, their thoughts and plans come to an end.
3. Daniel 12:2:”And many of those who sleep in the dust of the earth shall awake, Some to everlasting life, Some to shame and everlasting contempt.”Here, death is referred to as sleep, from which people will awaken at the resurrection.
4. John 11:11-14:”These things He said, and after that He said to them, ‘Our friend Lazarus sleeps, but I go that I may wake him up.’ Then His disciples said, ‘Lord, if he sleeps he will get well.’ However, Jesus spoke of his death, but they thought that He was speaking about taking rest in sleep. Then Jesus said to them plainly, ‘Lazarus is dead.'”Jesus Himself refers to death as sleep, reinforcing the idea of unconsciousness until the resurrection.

The Immortality of the Soul: A Non-Biblical Concept

The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is not supported by the Bible. Instead, it has roots in Greek philosophy, particularly the teachings of Plato, who proposed that the soul is inherently immortal and exists independently of the body. This idea was later integrated into Christian theology by early Church Fathers who were influenced by Greek philosophical thought.

The Bible consistently teaches that immortality is a gift from God, granted at the resurrection, not an inherent characteristic of the soul:

1. 1 Timothy 6:15-16:”He who is the blessed and only Potentate, the King of kings and Lord of lords, who alone has immortality, dwelling in unapproachable light, whom no man has seen or can see, to whom be honor and everlasting power. Amen.”This passage declares that only God possesses immortality inherently.
2. 1 Corinthians 15:51-54:”Behold, I tell you a mystery: We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed—in a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trumpet. For the trumpet will sound, and the dead will be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible has put on incorruption, and this mortal has put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written: ‘Death is swallowed up in victory.'”Immortality is something that believers “put on” at the resurrection, not something they inherently possess.
3. Romans 2:6-7:”Who ‘will render to each one according to his deeds’: eternal life to those who by patient continuance in doing good seek for glory, honor, and immortality.”Immortality is something to be sought after, implying it is not inherently possessed.

Consistency with Old Testament Teaching

The Old Testament also supports the view that the dead are in a state of unconsciousness and awaiting resurrection:

1. Job 14:12-14:”So man lies down and does not rise. Till the heavens are no more, They will not awake Nor be roused from their sleep. ‘Oh, that You would hide me in the grave, That You would conceal me until Your wrath is past, That You would appoint me a set time, and remember me! If a man dies, shall he live again? All the days of my hard service I will wait, Till my change comes.'”Job speaks of death as a state of sleep until the appointed time of resurrection.
2. Isaiah 26:19:”Your dead shall live; Together with my dead body they shall arise. Awake and sing, you who dwell in dust; For your dew is like the dew of herbs, And the earth shall cast out the dead.”The dead are described as dwelling in the dust, awaiting the time when they will arise.

New Testament Affirmation

The New Testament reinforces the Old Testament understanding of the state of the dead and the hope of resurrection:

1. 1 Thessalonians 4:13-16:”But I do not want you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning those who have fallen asleep, lest you sorrow as others who have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so God will bring with Him those who sleep in Jesus. For this we say to you by the word of the Lord, that we who are alive and remain until the coming of the Lord will by no means precede those who are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of an archangel, and with the trumpet of God. And the dead in Christ will rise first.”Paul describes the dead in Christ as sleeping, awaiting the resurrection at the Second Coming.
2. John 5:28-29:”Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation.”Jesus speaks of a future resurrection where the dead will be raised, indicating they are currently in the graves.

The Cry of the Martyrs: A Symbol of Justice

Returning to Revelation 6:9-10, the cry of the martyrs under the altar is best understood as a symbolic representation of their plea for justice. It echoes the cries for justice found throughout the Psalms and the prophetic books, where God’s people cry out for vindication and judgment against their persecutors (e.g., Psalm 79:5-10, Habakkuk 1:2-4).

This symbolism is consistent with the overall message of Revelation, which is a book filled with symbolic visions intended to convey deeper spiritual truths. The “souls under the altar” represent the collective voice of the martyrs, whose blood cries out for God’s righteous judgment, much like Abel’s blood cried out from the ground (Genesis 4:10). As with the details of a parable, not all features of a prophetic symbolization necessarily have interpretative value. This cry was figurative, as was the cry of Abel’s blood (Genesis 4:10).

It appears that the symbolization of the fifth seal was presented to encourage those who faced martyrdom and death, with the assurance that despite the seeming triumph of the enemy, vindication would ultimately come. Such an encouragement would be particularly heartening for those living in the time of the terrible persecutions of the later Middle Ages, but more especially during the time of the Reformation and after. To the persecuted, it must have seemed that the long period of oppression would never end. The message of the fifth seal was a reassurance that the cause of God would ultimately triumph. The same encouragement will come to those passing through the last great conflict.

Any attempt to interpret these souls as the disembodied spirits of departed martyrs doesn’t agree with the rules of interpretation of symbolic prophecies. John was not given a view of heaven as it actually appears. There are no white, red, black, or pale horses there with warlike riders. Jesus does not appear there in the form of a lamb with a bleeding knife wound. The four beasts do not represent actual winged creatures of the animal characteristics noted. Likewise, there are no souls lying at the base of an altar in heaven.

Conclusion: A Comprehensive Biblical Perspective

In conclusion, the imagery of the “souls under the altar” in Revelation 6:9-10 does not prove the immortality of the soul. Instead, it serves as a symbolic representation of the martyrs’ plea for justice and their ultimate vindication. The consistent teaching of both the Old and New Testaments supports the concept of “soul sleep,” where the dead are in a state of unconsciousness until the resurrection.

The doctrine of the immortality of the soul is not rooted in biblical theology but rather in Greek philosophical thought. The Bible teaches that immortality is a gift from God, bestowed upon the righteous at the resurrection. Therefore, a comprehensive examination of the Scriptures, particularly the NKJV, reveals that the dead are not conscious and awaiting judgment in an intermediate state, but are instead “asleep” until Christ’s return when they will be resurrected and judged according to their deeds.

This understanding aligns with the overall biblical narrative of redemption, resurrection, and the ultimate triumph of God’s justice and righteousness.

For a study on souls and the state of the dead, please see The Intermediate State.

Check out our Bible Answers page for more information on a variety of topics.

In His service,
BibleAsk Team