Is the fifth seal (6:9-11) related somehow to the first seal? If this is on earth, the images and messages of those killed maybe telecast. To a person living nearly 2000 years ago, a television set maybe described as an altar. Re-enactments are common today, is it possible some of this maybe enactments of those slain? Replayed hour after hour, day after day, week after week, and month after month. . . !
"Then you will be handed over to be persecuted and put to death, and you will be hated by all nations because of me." (Matthew 24:9). "...this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world..." (Matthew 24:14).