Abstract
The article explores the vision of the opening of the fifth seal in the Book of Revelation (6:9–11), analyzing the theological and anthropological implications of the martyrs’ prayer. It discusses the symbolism of the ‘souls under the altar’, their interaction with God, and their testimony, that culminates in martyrdom. These themes are further related to the Christian understanding of suffering and redemption, with particular emphasis on the relationship between earthly life and eternal life, as well as on the dynamics of the prayer of the righteous, which expresses trust in divine justice and the fulfillment of God’s salvific plan.
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