Revelation 6:9; Vengeance Belongs to God

Revelation 6:9 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: 

The souls of the saints martyred cried out to God for vengeance likened to the ground crying out for the innocent blood of Abel shed by Cain’s hatred – Genesis 4:9-10 And the LORD said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother’s keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother’s blood crieth unto me from the ground.

The unrepentant Cain proudly dismisses the Lord laying claim upon him for murdering his brother. The Lord revealed to Cain that justice has not been given to Abel for his death. Abel even in his death, appealed to God for justice.

Psalm 94:1-19 O LORD God, to whom vengeance belongeth; O God, to whom vengeance belongeth, shew thyself. Lift up thyself, thou judge of the earth: render a reward to the proud. LORD, how long shall the wicked, how long shall the wicked triumph? How long shall they utter and speak hard things? and all the workers of iniquity boast themselves? They break in pieces thy people, O LORD, and afflict thine heritage. They slay the widow and the stranger, and murder the fatherless. Yet they say, The LORD shall not see, neither shall the God of Jacob regard it. Understand, ye brutish among the people: and ye fools, when will ye be wise? He that planted the ear, shall he not hear? he that formed the eye, shall he not see? He that chastiseth the heathen, shall not he correct? he that teacheth man knowledge, shall not he know? The LORD knoweth the thoughts of man, that they are vanity. Blessed is the man whom thou chastenest, O LORD, and teachest him out of thy law; That thou mayest give him rest from the days of adversity, until the pit be digged for the wicked. For the LORD will not cast off his people, neither will he forsake his inheritance. But judgment shall return unto righteousness: and all the upright in heart shall follow it. Who will rise up for me against the evildoers? or who will stand up for me against the workers of iniquity? Unless the LORD had been my help, my soul had almost dwelt in silence. When I said, My foot slippeth; thy mercy, O LORD, held me up. In the multitude of my thoughts within me thy comforts delight my soul. 

Psalm 94 teaches us that we can appeal to God for every injustice experienced.

(1) Theme – Vengeance Belongs to God (v 1 )

When wicked men wield power what will the righteous do in their afflictions? The psalmist teaches us that vengeance belongs to God (v 1 ). Do not take matters into your own hands. Trust that God is Judge of all judges will certainly help His people. Wait on the Lord and pray. 

(2) God’s Intervention Invoked Against the Wicked (v 2-7 ) 

a. Manifest Your Power with Judgment (v 3 ) 

b. How long shall Oppressors Mock? (v 4 ) 

c. Deliver Thy Oppressed People! (v 5-6 ) 

i. Widows, Strangers and Fatherless (v 6 ) 

d. Wicked Believe God Could Not Judge (v 7 ) 

He began by describing the dire circumstances he was in, invoking God to intervene in judgment (v 2-7 ). 

(3) God’s Character Declared (v 8-11 ) 

a. He understands (v 8 ) 

b. He Sees (v 9 ) 

c. He Punishes (v 10 ) 

d. He knows (v 11 ) 

He rehearsed God’s character for our learning so that we may know that God understands, sees, knows, will punish the wicked (v 8-10 ). 

(4) God’s People’s Benefits in Afflictions (v 12-19 ) 

a. Learn God’s Law (v 12 ) 

b. Learn Patience to Wait on God (v 13 ) 

c. Learn God forsakes not His people (v 14 ) 

d. Learn God will bring justice (v 15 ) 

e. Learn God only can truly help (v 16-17 ) 

f. Learn God’s mercy in weakness (v 18 ) 

g. Learn God gives true comfort (v 19 ) 

The benefits of God withholding swift judgment and allowing oppression for a season benefit God’s people (v 12-19 ).

The martyred saints having fought a good fight kept their faith, now rest in peace awaiting God to right every wrong they have experienced.

Psalm 46:5 God is in the midst of her; she shall not be moved: God shall help her, and that right early. 

Amen.