A Revelation Invitation

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

When we watch a suspenseful movie, we know something is about to happen when the soundtrack gets quiet. We hold our breath not daring to disturb the silence. Suddenly something unexpected occurs, something frightening and something that is certain to be consequential. To similar effect this half hour’s silence in heaven was a dramatic pause intending to grab our attention. Whatever the opening of the seventh seal is about to reveal, it will be something most people will not be expecting. It may even be frightening. It will certainly be consequential.

Whenever it seems that God has become silent, we question. Is the Lord no longer intervening on our behalf? Will our enemies continue to prosper? Will our suffering ever cease? Will the wicked continue to gloat over us and scoff at the Lord? When will injustice be vindicated? Is Jesus unable to extend his sovereignty over the earth? Has God hidden his face from us? All fair questions. But if our questions lead to doubt, we have misinterpreted God’s silence. What is the true significance of God’s silence? What ominous purpose does it portend?

The prophet Zechariah once cautioned, “Be silent, all flesh, before the Lord, for he has roused himself from his holy dwelling” (Zechariah 2:13 ESV). This gives heaven’s silence ominous significance. What wonderful, yet terrible measures might God launch when he rouses himself? He takes leave of heaven to deal with a rebellious humanity (all flesh). Zechariah’s terrifying warning begins with a call to be silent. We quiet ourselves in reverent fear awaiting his engagement in the affairs of men. John noticed that the songs of the four living creatures, the worship of the elders around the throne, and the praise of thousands of angels had faded into silence. For the moment there was a sense of expectation that God was about to do something, something foreboding, something powerful. This was the moment John’s readers had been waiting for—the opening of the seventh and final seal of the scroll. It’s time.

While heaven is silent, the noise of this world drones on, evidence that the world is completely unaware that God is about to break in on their comfortable lives. How do we deal with God’s silence? Some who are bothered by silence fill it with the noise of the world in an attempt to avoid wrestling with their Maker only to delay their inevitable confrontation with the God of heaven. Some are filled with a sense of anticipation as they wait for God to reveal himself in some decisive, spectacular way. Others use silence as an opportunity for introspection as a gracious God pauses that they might repent. Let us not misinterpret the silence of heaven. As we will see, God is about to act swiftly and momentously. Like wise servants awaiting their master’s return, let us prepare.

Lord God, I trust that your plans are good and right even when you are silent and your next steps are not apparent to me. I believe that you will never abandon your people. Help me Lord to embrace your silence as a gift. Help me grasp that even in silence you are readying yourself for bold action. Help me wait patiently and reverently. I trust that your ways are greater than my ways. Amen.