Topical Bible: Murder of Saints, Specially Avenged

Bible > Topical > Murder of Saints, Specially Avenged

◄ Murder of Saints, Specially Avenged ►

Jump to: Torrey's • Library • Subtopics • Terms

Topical Encyclopedia

The concept of the murder of saints being specially avenged is a recurring theme in the Bible, reflecting God's justice and the sanctity of His faithful servants. Throughout Scripture, God demonstrates His commitment to avenging the blood of His saints, underscoring the seriousness with which He regards their persecution and martyrdom.

Old Testament Foundations

The Old Testament lays the groundwork for understanding God's response to the murder of His people. In Genesis 4:10, after Cain kills Abel, God says, "What have you done? The voice of your brother’s blood cries out to Me from the ground." This passage highlights the idea that the blood of the righteous calls out for justice, a theme that resonates throughout the biblical narrative.

In Deuteronomy 32:43, the Song of Moses proclaims, "Rejoice, O heavens, with Him, and let all God’s angels worship Him. Rejoice, O nations, with His people, for He will avenge the blood of His servants; He will take vengeance on His enemies and make atonement for His land and people." This verse emphasizes God's promise to avenge His servants, ensuring that their deaths are not in vain.

New Testament Fulfillment

The New Testament continues this theme, particularly in the context of the early Christian church's persecution. In Revelation 6:9-10, the apostle John describes a vision of the souls of martyrs under the altar, crying out, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You judge those who dwell on the earth and avenge our blood?" This imagery reinforces the expectation that God will act decisively to avenge the murder of His saints.

Revelation 19:2 further affirms this promise: "For His judgments are true and just. He has judged the great prostitute who corrupted the earth with her immorality, and He has avenged the blood of His servants." Here, the avenging of the saints' blood is linked to God's ultimate judgment against evil, demonstrating His righteousness and faithfulness.

Divine Justice and Protection

The Bible consistently portrays God as a defender of the oppressed and a righteous judge who will not allow the murder of His saints to go unpunished. In Psalm 116:15, it is written, "Precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints." This verse underscores the value God places on the lives of His faithful, assuring believers that their sacrifices are honored and will be avenged.

The apostle Paul, in 2 Thessalonians 1:6-7, reassures the persecuted church, stating, "After all, it is only right for God to repay with affliction those who afflict you, and to grant relief to you who are oppressed and to us as well, when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels." This passage highlights the certainty of divine retribution against those who harm God's people.

Eschatological Hope

The murder of saints and its avenging is also tied to eschatological hope, as believers anticipate the return of Christ and the establishment of His kingdom. In Revelation 20:4, John sees the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and the word of God, who "came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years." This vision offers assurance that those who suffer and die for their faith will be vindicated and rewarded in the age to come.

The murder of saints, specially avenged, is a profound testament to God's justice and the ultimate triumph of good over evil. Through His promises and actions, God assures His people that their faithfulness, even unto death, will not be forgotten and that He will avenge their blood in His perfect timing.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Deuteronomy 32:43
Rejoice, O you nations, with his people: for he will avenge the blood of his servants, and will render vengeance to his adversaries, and will be merciful to his land, and to his people.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Matthew 23:35
That on you may come all the righteous blood shed on the earth, from the blood of righteous Abel to the blood of Zacharias son of Barachias, whom you slew between the temple and the altar.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Revelation 18:20,24
Rejoice over her, you heaven, and you holy apostles and prophets; for God has avenged you on her.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Mercy's Master Motive
... the spirit; and his mercies towards his saints are to ... In the text I beg you specially
to remark our ... his country; a ruffian red-handed with murder, and dripping ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 18 1872/mercys master motive.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... They do speak; and hence speaking is specially excluded here. ... v.) ends. Moreover,
it relates specially to Israel and Israel's ancient enemy, Babylon. ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm

Against Jovinianus.
... works, since even faith, which is specially characteristic of ... might upon these terms
be numbered with the saints. ... his wars, but to the [4399] murder"he was ...
/.../jerome/the principal works of st jerome/against jovinianus.htm

A Treatise of the Fear of God;
... high God; thou neither worshippest him in thy closet nor in the congregation of
saints. ... me?" which is all one as if he had said, Why dost thou commit murder? ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/a treatise of the fear.htm

An Exposition on the First Ten Chapters of Genesis, and Part of ...
... containing the cosmogony of creation"the fall of man"the first murder"the deluge ...
worldly people (Psalm 69:1,2), and particularly the saints (Revelation 19 ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/an exposition on the first.htm

Memoir of John Bunyan
... own graces, enjoying the communion of Saints, and advancing ... as if somebody was about
to murder him, and ... officers; but the God of armies avenged the innocent ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm