And they cried with a loud voice, saying, How long, O Lord, holy and true, dost thou not judge and avenge our blood on them that dwell on the earth?
How long? х Heoos (G2193) pote (G4219)] - 'Until when?' As in the parable, the woman (the Church) cries day and night to the unjust judge for justice against her adversary always oppressing her (cf. Revelation 12:10); so the elect (not only on earth, but under Christ's covering, in His presence in Paradise) cry day and night to God, who will assuredly, in His own time, avenge His and their cause, "though He bear long with them" (Luke 18:1-8). This need not be restricted to particular martyrdoms, but receives partial fulfillments, until the last exhaustive fulfillment before Christ's coming. So as to the other events foretold here. The glory even of those in Paradise shall only be complete when Christ's and the Church's foes are cast out, and the earth become Christ's kingdom at His coming to raise the sleeping, and transfigure he living, saints.
Lord, х ho (G3588) Despotees (G1203)] - "Master;" implying He has them, their foes, and all creatures, as absolutely at His disposal as a master has his slaves; hence, (Revelation 6:11) "fellow-servants," or fellow-slaves, follows. Holy - `the Holy One.'
Avenge - `exact vengeance for our blood.'
On - `from them.'
That dwell on the earth - the ungodly, of earth, earthy; distinguished from the Church, whose home and heart are even now in heaven.