Revelation 6:9-11 - Avengeance

Damnatio ad bestias [1]

"Avengeance" is an obsolete form of the word "vengeance." It's a word that merits dusting off and putting back into circulation. Avengeance is the noun form of the verb, "avenge."

The verb avenge means to execute justice. Chiefly, to punish wrong done to a third party.
Revenge (a verb and a noun) means taking justice into my own hands to punish someone who has hurt me personally. [2] [3]

The Bible says,
“Never take your own revenge, beloved, but leave room for the wrath of God, for it is written, 'Vengeance is Mine, I will repay,' says the Lord.” (Romans 12:19, New American Standard Bible, 1995)

People take revenge. God takes avengeance.

Here's an example going on right now, in heaven. John wrote:
“9 ...I saw under the altar the souls of all who had been martyred for the word of God and for being faithful in their testimony. 10 They shouted to the Lord and said, 'O Sovereign Lord, holy and true, how long before you judge the people who belong to this world and avenge our blood for what they have done to us?' 11 Then a white robe was given to each of them. And they were told to rest a little longer until the full number of their brothers and sisters—their fellow servants of Jesus who were to be martyred—had joined them.” (Revelation 6:9–11, New Living Translation, 2015)

White robes being a consolation is enigmatic, but it may seem downright cruel that God says that more people have to suffer, before He avenges their deaths. Particularly when they were sometimes tortured in the process. [1]

Is God unreliable or powerless? No, He is waiting; giving evil people a chance to repent and turn to Him. (2 Peter 3:3-9) Waiting for that to happen may mean that some people get away with murder. But some day God will say, "Enough," and justice will be ultimately settled (Genesis 6:13; 15:13).

God, You tell us that, “if our enemies are hungry, feed them. If they are thirsty, give them something to drink.” (Rom 12:20, NLT) Thank you for handling injustices on our behalf so that we don't have to compound evil by trying to get even, but we can “conquer evil by doing good,” (Rom 12:21) through Christ our Savior,  Amen.

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[1] Illustration: Damnatio ad bestias - 'condemnation to beasts' {https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Damnatio_ad_bestias}
Not all martyrs were "fed to lions," but some were. Even secular historians admit that martyrs of both Old and New Testament suffered in various ways: beaten, stoned, beheaded, crucified.... (Cp. Heb 11:35-27, Ac 7:59; Jn 21:18-19).
https://theconversation.com/mythbusting-ancient-rome-throwing-christians-to-the-lions-67365

[2] “Avenge is a verb meaning to inflict a punishment or penalty for an injury or a wrong. ... a pursuit of justice for someone other than one’s self ...avenge has more to do with justice or retribution than it does with personal retaliation. *** Revenge is both a noun and a verb and generally means the act of taking vengeance for injuries or wrongs; retaliation ...more personal form of vengeance and is usually centers around feelings of anger and resentment. ...Revenge is much less concerned with retributive justice than it is with personal satisfaction or an 'evening up of the score'.”  https://writingexplained.org/avenge-vs-revenge-difference

[3] “Revenge is an act of passion; vengeance of justice. Injuries are revenged; crimes are avenged.” https://www.brainyquote.com/quotes/samuel_johnson_162803#