Then they were each given a white robe: either God or an angel gives each of them a white robe, a symbol of purity or victory (see 3.4-5). Of course it is difficult to imagine how a soul puts on a robe; but this is figurative language describing things seen in a vision, and the figurative language should be maintained rather literally.

And told: again the passive form is a way of referring to God or to an angel. In languages that do not use the passive, one may render these first two clauses as “God gave each of them a white robe and instructed them (or, told them)….”

To rest a little longer, until: here rest means not only not having to work or strive, but also to be free of anxiety and distress over the punishment of their killers. They must be patient. God’s vengeance will not be immediate but will come soon. In some languages the concept of rest is described idiomatically; for example, “relax (or, rest) the heart” or “let the heart sit down” (Chewa). A little longer may also be expressed as “only a short time more.”

The number … should be complete: this statement implies that God has decided that there will be more persecution, and that a certain number of Christians will be put to death. Once that number has been reached, God will take appropriate action. In certain languages this phrase will be placed at the end of the verse; for example, “… until their fellow servants and brothers will be killed to complete a number (or, an amount)” or “… to bring a number to completion.”

Their fellow servants and their brethren: again, this does not mean two different groups, but the same people identified in two different ways. So Revised English Bible “all their brothers in Christ’s service.” In many languages this phrase will be expressed as “all their elders and youngers who serve Christ with them.”

Who were to be killed as they themselves had been: the Greek verb form translated as the future in English (were to be) may be used to indicate the working of God’s will (see 2.10), or else may mean that the action will take place soon (so New Revised Standard Version “who were soon to be killed”). In languages that do not use the passive, one may say, for example, “whom those enemies will also kill.”

Alternative translation models for this verse are:

• God gave each of them (the spirits) a white robe and told them not to worry (or, to rest their hearts) for a little while longer. They should do this until the complete number of their fellow servants and brothers (or, elders and youngers) were killed as they had been.

Or:

• … until those enemies killed more of their brothers (elders and youngers) that he (God) has allowed to be killed.

Quoted with permission from Bratcher, Robert G. and Hatton, Howard A. A Handbook on The Revelation to John. (UBS Handbook Series). New York: UBS, 1993. For this and other handbooks for translators see here .