What happened in 2 Chronicles 24:22 shows how those under the altar and under the law would act and ask to be avenged. Acts 7:60 shows how someone under grace would act.
I don’t want to derail this thread so I’ll just add this last point about my view on this, anyone who has read Revelation 6 already knows what the answer to the question of how long dost thou not judge. It would show a complete lack of faith if someone thinks that the Lord would give any other answer to that question than the one given in Revelation 6:11. Since we all know the answer to the question, it makes no sense we would ask it if we were to be martyred and end up under the altar.
Stephen almost certainly was one of the follow servants or brethren that was to be killed, but it makes no sense at all that he himself would be asking for his blood to be avenged. He was killed after the question was asked by the Old Testament martyrs.
Ok, enough said on my part.
What you bring up is an interesting point. I'm not seeing why you might think it is derailing the thread, though?
What needs to be factored in is this, though--- and it was said unto them, that they should rest yet for a little season, until their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, should be fulfilled.
That means this little season begins right after they ask those things. Which then means that this little season has to involve martyrdom similar to theirs. As to what happened to unbelieving Jews in 70 AD, none of that remotely matches with avenging the martyrs under the altar nor the ones who are to be martyred during the little season. That's not the reason 70 AD happened, in order to avenge saints being martyred by unbelieving Jews.
Below is a brief article I just found. Assuming it is factual, one can see via it that what happened in 70 AD to the unbelieving Jews doesn't fit God avenging martyrs. This article estimates that 2 million Christians are martyred by 325 AD. How many of those estimated 2 million Christians were martyred by unbelieving Jews prior to 70 AD, though? And this article mentions, one reason Christians were persecuted and martyred is because of their refusal to worship or honor other gods. Even unbelieving Jews worshiped the same God Christians did, meaning the God of Abraham. To solely blame unbelieving Jews for the martyrdom of Christians, thus 70 AD equals these Christians being avenged, is ludicrous IMO.
You suggested that the questions asked during the 5th seal, this was asked before Stephen was ever martyred. While I tend to think this question hasn't even been asked yet, since a little season involving their fellowservants also and their brethren, that should be killed as they were, has to follow after them having asked those things. And clearly, nothing pertaining to 70 AD even addresses what happened after 70 AD, such as up to 325 AD, where the article below estimates at least 2 million Christians have been killed by that time. When do those martyrs get avenged, and any saints martyred after that if God already avenged martyrs in 70 AD?
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In the first few centuries, Christianity grew quickly. By AD100, it had become mostly Gentile and had begun to break from its Jewish origins. By 200, the faith had permeated most regions of the Roman Empire, though Christians were mostly in the larger urban areas (Gaul, Lyons, Carthage, Rome). By 325, an estimated 7 million were Christians with as many as 2 million killed for the faith. This growth can be attributed to the new faith's meeting needs across cultural barriers, its giving general meaning to life for many, the overall transformation of those lives, the social concerns of Christians during the plagues for the sick and the poor, and the power of its doctrine. News of the resurrection of Christ produced great loyalty among followers. Christian martyrdom also, ironically, created vast interest in and respect for the Christians and increased their numbers.
Reasons for Persecutions
Sometimes local, socio-economic conflict with Jewish circles created persecution in the first century.
After A.D. 50, Christianity was put on the imperial list of "illicit" sects, and after A.D. 64, it was declared illegal, though this did not always result in continual persecution. Christians had many periods of nominal and benign neglect.
Christian refusal to worship or honor other gods was a source of great contention.
Before A.D. 300, Christians were often from the urban poor and lower classes; thus, they were easy prey for those seeking power or goods. However, a sizeable group of educated, middle-class Christians also existed.
Christians were accused of being atheists because of their denial of the other gods and refusal of emperor worship. Thus, they were accused of treason to the state.
They were accused of "secret immoral worship" practices, including cannibalism, incest, and beastalism.
They were also charged as haters of humanity and being irrational in their beliefs. For many provincial governors, Christians were considered social radicals, rather than being persecuted specifically for their faith only.
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