Revelation 8
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Revelation 8:1-2, When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
The interlude is over. It’s time for the seventh seal to be opened. After watching the last seals be opened, John is probably expecting something really big but this time, there is nothing but…silence. The Scripture says there is silence in heaven for about half an hour.
Silence is often a way to show reverence to God in worship. There are whole religious orders that take vows of silence before God. I don’t know about you but, as an extroverted extrovert, I struggle with silence. It is in long, extended periods of silence that we are faced with our own thoughts, our doubts, and our struggles. That’s not always fun. But I’ve also found tremendous value in silence - it’s in those long periods of silence that I take time to really engage with God and allow time for listening, for resting in the presence of God. Mother Teresa is quoted as saying, “We need to find God, and He cannot be found in noise and restlessness. God is the friend of silence. See how nature—trees, flowers, grass—grows in silence; see the stars, the moon and the sun, how they move in silence … We need silence to be able to touch souls.” Could it be that we learn the most from God in the silence? What has been your experience?
God can also use silence as a method of preparation. We find this in today’s Scripture. After the silence, things get pretty intense. The seven angels who stand before God are given seven trumpets. The prayers of God’s people (symbolized by the incense) make their ways to God’s nostrils. And then, the trumpets blow and God’s wrath is poured out on the earth. The purpose of the trumpet blows is to warn the unbelievers of God’s impending wrath and judgment. There is something about a trumpet that makes you take notice. It’s quite loud, so loud in fact that there is no way to NOT notice it. Take notice, these angels are saying. Pay attention! Turn from your wicked ways and acknowledge God!
Who do you know who has not yet acknowledged God? Are there people in your life that need to know the saving grace of Jesus Christ? Read the words of the apostle Paul from 2 Corinthians 6 and then take a moment and lift them in prayer right now.
2 Corinthians 6:1-4,
As God’s co-workers we urge you not to receive God’s grace in vain. For he says,
“In the time of my favor I heard you,
and in the day of salvation I helped you.”[a]
I tell you, now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation.
Let’s pray…Lord Jesus, May today be a day of salvation! We lift up those who do not yet know you. Help us point people to you in meaningful ways. Give us opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with others. Remove any obstacles or sense of fear we have. In YOUR Name, Amen.