Asking God to punish his enemies to please us.

A prayer to let an adversary know they have reached their last hurrah. Psalm 109 places our plea at God’s tribunal. David seeks intervention when these words are directed to the ears of the Almighty; “O God, whom I praise, do not be silent,” for wicked and treacherous mouths attack me. They speak against me with lying tongues; with hateful words they surround me, attacking me without cause, in return for my love they slander me, even though I prayed for them. They repay me evil for good, hatred for my love.” (Ps 109: 1 - 5).

Daniel is told that, after the seventy years of the captivity, seventy times seven must elapse, and even then Messiah would not come in glory as the Jews might through misunderstanding expect from the earlier prophets, but by dying would put away sin. “Seventy weeks are decreed for your people and for your holy city: Then transgression will stop and sin end, guilt will be expiated, Everlasting justice will be introduced, vision and prophecy ratified, and a most holy will be anointed. (Dn 9: 24).

With the arrival of Jesus, Israel’s long-awaited freedom from captivity was imminent-or was it? They expected the Messiah to free them from Rome. What was needed was freedom from self. Where did this misunderstanding come from? (quoted from a report on the internet).

From earliest years the Jews always expected the Messiah would come and completely eradicate their enemies, but even in this 21st century the hope for freedom from tyrannical governments is not going to occur at this moment in time.

Take a look at our current condition where silent enemies are reaching into the souls of men through subtle use of corrupting our children with indoctrinating tactics none of us would have dreamed about years ago, The politics of 2024 will change the landscape of freedoms we once admired but, now the way of justice has become a visit to fairness with a circus atmosphere.

Will God intervene and correct the ignominy that seems to be prevalent in every generation since Adam? Yes, and perhaps sooner than we may believe during this point in time. As I mentioned before, if all of this eternal warfare occurs in our lifetime, pray that you are included in the Rapture before the return of Christ. “They will fight with the Lamb, but the Lamb will conquer them, for he is Lord of Lords and King of Kings, and those with him are called, chosen, and faithful.” (Rv 17: 14).

“After this I saw another angel coming down from heaven, having great authority, and the earth became illuminated by his splendor. He cried out in a mighty voice: “Fallen, fallen is Babylon the great. She has become a haunt for demons. She is a cage for every unclean spirit, a cage for every unclean bird, (a cage for every unclean and disgusting beast). For all the nations have drunk the wine of her licentious passion. The kings of the earth had intercourse with her, and the merchants of the earth grew rich from her drive for luxury.” (Rv 18: 1 - 3). No normal person should want to be present at this time. The answer to the prayers of the just will now be heard as God’s Son has returned to the earth and swept away the insolence that corrupted God’s people and is now to be hurled into hell for all eternity.

The prayers of those who now are asking God to punish their enemies are heard and in his time will answer with a swift entrance with all the saints to complete the very promise he made in Exodus: “I will take you as my own people, and I will be your God.” (Ex 6: 7).

God’s promise of eternal salvation and all that it represents is true and he will not forget what he promised us.

Ralph B. Hathaway