Topical Bible: The Heathen: The Church Shall be Avenged of

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The term "heathen" in biblical context often refers to nations or peoples who do not acknowledge the God of Israel, and by extension, those who do not accept the Christian faith. Throughout Scripture, the relationship between God's people and the heathen is marked by tension, conflict, and divine judgment. The Bible assures believers that God will ultimately avenge His church against the heathen, affirming His justice and sovereignty.

Old Testament Context

In the Old Testament, the heathen are frequently depicted as adversaries of Israel, God's chosen people. The Psalms often express a longing for divine intervention against these nations. Psalm 2:1-2 states, "Why do the nations rage and the peoples plot in vain? The kings of the earth take their stand and the rulers gather together, against the LORD and against His Anointed One." This passage highlights the futility of the heathen's opposition to God's purposes.

The prophets also speak of God's judgment upon the heathen. In Isaiah 34:8 , it is written, "For the LORD has a day of vengeance, a year of recompense for the cause of Zion." This verse underscores the certainty of divine retribution against those who oppose God's people.

New Testament Assurance

The New Testament continues this theme, emphasizing that the church, as the spiritual Israel, will be avenged by God. In 2 Thessalonians 1:6-8 , Paul writes, "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. This will take place when the Lord Jesus is revealed from heaven with His mighty angels in blazing fire, inflicting vengeance on those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of our Lord Jesus."

This passage reassures believers that God will execute justice upon those who persecute the church, affirming His commitment to protect and vindicate His people.

The Book of Revelation

The Book of Revelation provides a vivid portrayal of the ultimate triumph of God's kingdom over the heathen. Revelation 19:15 describes Christ's return: "From His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter." This imagery conveys the certainty of Christ's victory and the subjugation of all opposing forces.

Revelation 6:10 captures the cry of the martyrs, "How long, O Lord, holy and true, until You avenge our blood and judge those who dwell upon the earth?" This plea is met with the assurance that God's justice will prevail in His perfect timing.

Theological Implications

The avenging of the church against the heathen underscores several key theological principles. It affirms God's justice, His faithfulness to His covenant people, and the ultimate victory of His kingdom. Believers are called to trust in God's sovereign plan, knowing that He will right all wrongs and establish His righteousness on the earth.

The anticipation of divine vengeance also serves as a call to evangelism, urging the church to proclaim the gospel to all nations, offering the hope of salvation to those who are currently estranged from God. As 2 Peter 3:9 reminds us, "The Lord is not slow in keeping His promise as some understand slowness, but is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance."

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Psalm 149:7
To execute vengeance on the heathen, and punishments on the people;
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 10:25
Pour out your fury on the heathen that know you not, and on the families that call not on your name: for they have eaten up Jacob, and devoured him, and consumed him, and have made his habitation desolate.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Obadiah 1:15
For the day of the LORD is near on all the heathen: as you have done, it shall be done to you: your reward shall return on your own head.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

Third Sunday after Epiphany
... The lesson as read in the Church ends here ... is here intended"peace with Christians
and heathen, with the ... He not only gives us assurance that we shall be avenged ...
/.../luther/epistle sermons vol ii/third sunday after epiphany.htm

Letter Xl. St. Ambrose Begs Theodosius to Listen to Him, as He ...
... And at Alexandria a basilica was burnt by heathen and Jews, which surpassed all
the rest. The Church was not avenged, shall the Synagogue be so? 16. ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/letter xl st ambrose begs.htm

The Desolations of the Lord, the Consolation of his Saints
... I shall mean no offense to any ... should find scores of our young men rising up to go
out and preach the gospel to the heathen; and then the church, taking an ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/the desolations of the lord.htm

Introduction to the Homilies on S. Ignatius and S. Babylas.
... to the famous suburb of Daphne, on which we shall have more to ... near the shrine of
Apollo, and the Christian church standing hard by the heathen temple was ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/introduction to the homilies on.htm

Samson Conquered
... have gone into the lands of the heathen, where men ... And you who are members of Christ's
church, you have ... that the day shall come when Israel shall be avenged ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 4 1858/samson conquered.htm

Baptism
... exclude them from membership in the visible church, so that ... of beasts offered in
sacrifice to heathen gods; and ... over to the devil's side, my soul shall have no ...
//christianbookshelf.org/watson/the ten commandments/4 4 baptism.htm

Period ii. The Church from the Permanent Division of the Empire ...
... For wherever he destroyed heathen temples, there he was accustomed ... who is a believer
in the Catholic Church {HORIZONTAL ELLIPSIS} no one shall move me ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period ii the church from.htm

Psalm II.
... 1. "Why do the heathen rage, and the people meditate vain ... 4. "Then He shall speak
unto them in His wrath ... it of anything rather than of the Church, where daily ...
/...//christianbookshelf.org/augustine/exposition on the book of psalms/psalm ii.htm

Epistle xviii. Reply of St. Ambrose to the Memorial of Symmachus.. ...
... The possessions of the Church are the maintenance of the poor. ... into the mind of the
gods of the heathen to avenge ... What shall I say of the Gauls which were more ...
/.../ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/epistle xviii reply of st.htm

The Second vision "On Earth"
... known only to the New Testament prophets; the prophets given to and for the Church. ...
Day of the Lord." And in the days when the seventh angel shall sound they ...
/.../bullinger/commentary on revelation/the second vision on earth.htm