Momentary Silence

Revelation 8

When the seventh seal was opened, there was silence for a half hour. An angel then offered incense, mixed with the prayers of God’s people, and seven angels prepared to blow their trumpets, announcing further judgments. The judgment of the seventh seal encompasses those of the seven trumpets and seven bowls that follow, which depict a whole new round of judgments on the earth from an all powerful God.
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The 30-minute pause, where all things are still and silent, allows for repentance before God unleashes the next round of judgment, beginning with fire. This provision underscores God’s mercy and grace, but its brevity highlights the need to repent quickly as opportunity remains.
These prayers, being offered as incense from the bowl by the Elders around the Throne, are the petitions of martyrs from the tribulation who cried out previously for divine vengeance and justice and were told to wait. This rising incense of prayers suggests a pleasant experience for God, as He desires to receive the prayers of His people.

“Be silent before the Lord God! For the day of the Lord is near; the Lord has prepared a sacrifice and consecrated his guests.” Zephaniah 1:7

“When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. 2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. 3 And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, 4 and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 5 Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.” Revelation 8:1–5 (ESV)

The silence in heaven is the lull before the storm. Even the heavenly hosts stop their worship as they contemplate the awesome judgments about to fall. But those judgments are the answer to the saints’ prayers, “Thy kingdom come!” Do not stop praying!

“Now the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared to blow them. 7 The first angel blew his trumpet, and there followed hail and fire, mixed with blood, and these were thrown upon the earth. And a third of the earth was burned up, and a third of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.” Revelation 8:6–7 (ESV)

Dr. Tony Evans writes, “Hail and fire, mixed with blood depicts a firestorm that dwarfs even the most gigantic contemporary wildfires. While wildfires in the western United States, for example, burn tens of thousands of acres, this firestorm will affect a third of the planet.”

“The second angel blew his trumpet, and something like a great mountain, burning with fire, was thrown into the sea, and a third of the sea became blood. 9 A third of the living creatures in the sea died, and a third of the ships were destroyed. 10 The third angel blew his trumpet, and a great star fell from heaven, blazing like a torch, and it fell on a third of the rivers and on the springs of water. 11 The name of the star is Wormwood. A third of the waters became wormwood, and many people died from the water, because it had been made bitter. 12 The fourth angel blew his trumpet, and a third of the sun was struck, and a third of the moon, and a third of the stars, so that a third of their light might be darkened, and a third of the day might be kept from shining, and likewise a third of the night. 13 Then I looked, and I heard an eagle crying with a loud voice as it flew directly overhead, “Woe, woe, woe to those who dwell on the earth, at the blasts of the other trumpets that the three angels are about to blow!” Revelation 8:8–13 (ESV)

The eagle’s warning in verse 13 suggests the remaining judgments will be harsh. That is because they are intended to purify and reclaim the earth. It also underscores the graciousness of God in offering an opportunity for humanity to repent before judgment falls.

Men have wanted to die, so God will send His servants to do the job. One-third of mankind will be killed, which means that half of the world’s population is now dead! The world must make a choice: life or death. Are you offering them the gift of life in Jesus Christ?

“I call heaven and earth to witness against you today, that I have set before you life and death, blessing and curse. Therefore choose life, that you and your offspring may live, 20 loving the Lord your God, obeying his voice and holding fast to him, for he is your life and length of days, that you may dwell in the land that the Lord swore to your fathers, to Abraham, to Isaac, and to Jacob, to give them.” Deuteronomy 30:19–20 (ESV)

Is this passage a reminder to you of the power of the God of all creation and of the universe? Does it remind you of the importance of repentance? Does it remind you of His great love and second chance?

How will you worship Him today?

The ones in Christ need not fear but be quick to share salvation and eternal hope found only in Christ Jesus.

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