What Shuts Heaven Up?

Scripture: When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1

Observation: Revelation 8 is a breather, after the breaking of the seals of the seven scrolls. These scrolls reveal visions of God’s justice poured out on all who opposed him. Each scroll has been accompanied by terrifying sounds—thunder, cries of angels, voices of doom, earthquakes, and even people calling out for death to released them from the pain of judgment. But when the seventh scroll is opened, there is 30 minutes of silence.
Why silence? Was the angel so stunned by the words released that he was speechless? Looking ahead to what was revealed, we see horrors that even John cannot capture with limited human vocabulary. What will come—the trumpets and bowls of God’s judgment—is so unspeakable, that the angel is unable to speak.

Application: Reading through Revelation, the temptation is to dissect the book, to render it inert by the use of charts and diagrams. To not let the full force of its truth hit me. But what is coming one day is horrible—for those who have opposed God. Even though I know this means justice, I cannot help but hurt for those who have rejected God. Instead of gloating at their defeat, I shudder at a horror so great that they pray for death as a release.

Prayer: God, I have joined with others in attempting to share the love of Christ for 10 days. This truth from Revelation redoubles my effort. Help me to see people through your eyes—the love you have for them, the judgment that awaits if they reject. And let me be moved to pray for opportunities to tell them of your truth. Let the 30 minutes of silence motivate me to speak on the earth.