9.  And when He broke the fifth seal, I say underneath the altar the souls of those who had been slain because of the word of God and because ofthe testimony which they had maintained. -

The actions that are described are actions that belong to the faithful. John sees the saints or those who are faithful under the altar or under the CROSS. John sees the faithful.

10. and they cried out with a loud voice saying -

Why are they crying? Because of the hurt that is in the church that is described in the first four seals.

“How long, O Lord, holy and true wilt thou refrain from judging and avenging our blood on those who dwell on the earth?” -

When an effect of sin is realized there is also realized that the sin must be judged upon. They are crying out, when Lord will the judgment come. They are also expecting an answer. They are saying that we know that sin must be punished but we want to know when. This is a great truth. Sin must be punished.

11. And there was given to each of them a white robe -

this was given with regard to their faithfulness. This was given to comfort them.

and they were told that they should rest a little while longer until their fellow servants and their brethern who were to be killed even as they had been, should be completed also -

He is saying that the rest of the people must prove or disprove their faithfulness first before He punishes the wicked. In other words He is saying relax, I am in control. But still there is no answer as to whether or not the wickedness of the people of the earth was going to be punished. But then comes the sixth seal.