Revelation 6:9-10 And when he had opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of them that were 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, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?

I quote this verse in relationship to mercy for only one reason. This demonstrates man’s shortsightedness. We see suffering and we want to put an end to it. We praise the alter of souls for what they have done in faith. Notice how they declare God holy and true, yet question His mercy.

We seek mercy for ourselves and those we love. We cling to scriptures that say the Lord will not give us more than what we can bare, while at the same time think, “I can’t take it!” We see Christian’s continue to die for their faith even today and the words of Revelation 6:10 ring in our ears, “How long?”

Matthew 10:28 And fear not them which kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul: but rather fear him which is able to destroy both soul and body in hell.

There are worse things than suffering or dying. Those things are shortsighted. God’s mercy takes the broader view. How would you feel if God granted you mercy and because of it, a soul was lost to hell? The Lord will not come again until the last member of the body of Christ joins us during this church age. He will not lose one soul that is His.

Revelation 6:16-17 And said to the mountains and rocks, Fall on us, and hide us from the face of him that sitteth on the throne, and from the wrath of the Lamb: For the great day of his wrath is come; and who shall be able to stand?

Mercy is best served that no one within the body of Christ should ever see that day.