The First Tribulation Martyrs

Q. I have been wondering about the statement in Revelation 6:9 for long time.
In this verse John said, “I saw under the alter the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God…”.

What got to me is, John only mentioned “the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God” and he did not see the souls of other believers who had died due to old age, sickness of killed by accidents, etc. And too, how about the souls of people like Noah, Abraham, Job, David, Samuel, etc. etc. Aren’t they too suppose to be under the alter as well?

A. The souls John referred to in Rev. 6:9 are the first of the Tribulation Martyrs.  I’m not aware of any place that says people who die of other causes, or Old Testament saints, will also petition the Lord for vengeance in this way.

In  Rev. 6:11 they’re told to be patient until the number of all those who would be killed in this way (martyred) was completed.  This confirms that John only had Triblation Martyrs in view here.