Silence in Heaven
BIBLE VERSE FOR TODAY… “When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” Revelation 8:1 HCSB
When normal activity comes to a screeching halt it get our attention. For example, if all the highways were empty, we would feel as sense of panic and question, “what is going on?!” Such is the case when we see the opening of the seventh seal and heaven falls silent.
Remember, heaven is a “noisy place.” There is continual praise that is being offered before the throne of God. There are shouts of Hallelujah. There are angels, the twenty-four elders, the living creatures, those in white robes, all giving boisterous praise and worship to the Lamb and “Him who sits on the throne.” So, why silence? Why a prolonged silence? What causes this sense of shock and awe that allows the normal activity of heaven to cease for half an hour?
Revelation chapter 5, reveals a picture of a scroll in the right of “Him who sits on the throne.” John says, “I also saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals?” But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or even to look in it. And I cried and cried because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or even to look in it.” (Revelation 5:2-4 HCSB)
This scroll is written on the front and back, no room to add anything more, it is complete. It contains seven wax seals making it secure. But not just anyone dare to step forward and take the scroll from the hand of God. Apparently John is made aware that the contents of the scroll is related to God’s final salvation for the earth, because he response is one of intense grief.
But one of the elders steps forward and tells John, “Stop crying. Look! The Lion from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has been victorious so that He may open the scroll and its seven seals.” (Revelation 5:5 HCSB) So, we see the Elders in heaven are aware of the purpose of the scroll and “the One” who in the proper time is able to take the scroll and begin to open it.
As Jesus steps forward and takes the scroll, He begins to break each seal; and with the breaking of each seal a judgment comes upon the earth. The first four seals when broken release four colored horses with riders. With them they bring war, economic devastation, death and and plagues. The fifth seal reveals the martyrs who have given their life and long for the Lord’s justice on the earth. The sixth seal reveals disruption in the sky and earth. There is an earthquake, the sun goes dark, the moon turns to blood and stars fall from the skies.
The rulers of the earth, cry out to the mountains, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the One seated on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb, because the great day of Their wrath has come! And who is able to stand?” (Revelation 6:15 HCSB)
The seventh and final seal is broken. This allows the scroll to unfold and for the contents hidden for the ages to unfold and to be seen by all. This awareness of what is about to take place causes those in the courts of heaven to stop their worship and stand in awe and silence. The significance of the final judgments that are ready to be revealed will make those that have already taken place to pale in comparison.
I am reminded of the words of the prophet Habakkuk, “The LORD is in his holy temple; let all the earth be silent before him.” (Habakkuk 2:20 NIV)
The opening of the seventh seal brings seven trumpets sounded by angels. As the last trumpet is sounded we find a great contrast to the silence observed during the opening of the seventh seal,
The seventh angel blew his trumpet, and there were loud voices in heaven saying: “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of His Messiah, and He will reign forever and ever!” (Revelation 11:15 HCSB) This is the “real” hallelujah chorus that will reverberate through the corridors of heaven and earth, signaling the Lord’s ultimate victory over Satan, sin and all evil. Salvation and justice is coming in its fullness.
Prayer for today… Lord, there is much we don’t know and that our minds cannot comprehend about Your final judgments. Allow us to trust You as we focus on what is clear. You bring victory for those who faithfully follow You. All we can do at times is to be silent and to stand in awe of who You are and what You are bringing to pass.