To execute vengeance upon the heathen, and punishments upon the people;
To execute vengeance upon the heathen - as the Maccabees (according to the prophetic anticipation here) subsequently did upon Antiochus Epiphanes' hosts. The fuller accomplishment of this scripture is in the triumphs of the spiritual Israel, the Church, by "the sword of the Spirit, the Word of God," "sharper than any two-edged sword" (Mark 6:20; Acts 24:25; 2 Corinthians 10:4; Ephesians 6:17; Hebrews 4:12). As it is written of the Captain of our salvation (Revelation 1:16). The full accomplishment shall be when He shall come again "in righteousness to judge and to make war, and the armies in heaven shall follow Him, and out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations" - namely, the anti-Christian hosts confederated against Him and his saints.