BIG IDEA: The gospel must inform our cries for justice.
As we mine these verses about patient waiting, our aim will be to feel their intensity, identify with the souls, and respond as faithful witnesses.
This text locates them under the altar where the blood of earthly animal sacrifices ended up, which symbolically suggests to martyr’s that God equally values their sacrifice. In fact, Romans 12 tells us that God also respects our living (non-fatal) sacrifices (suffering).
Some Historicists and most futurists refuse to associate these cries for justice with New Testament believers who are supposed to forgive, but forgiveness and justice are not opposed to one another.
First, one can hardly begrudge anyone for wanting their mistreatments and murders to be avenged.
Second, we don’t set aside justice when we forgive, rather we declare by faith that “Christ’s death paid for your sin like it paid for mine.”
Third, true faith expects a time when the sovereign and holy God will judge and avenge the unrepentant and justly sentence them to eternally pay for their sins. Still, certain saints are literally dying to know “How long will judgment take?”!
The question is, “What are we supposed to do while we wait?"
First, embrace the full gospel message.
Second, embrace mercy over judgment.
Third, embrace the process.
