Uh oh…
1 When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. (Revelation 8:1–ESV)
It took a long time for me to land on this first verse, but here we are at last. I described chapter 7 as the eye of the storm, and now we come to a final phase. In this phase the habitat of man will fall under God’s wrath. Before it hits, though, there is a moment of silence. All through literature and the history of man silence has found a way to precede destruction. To properly frame this verse consider the eerie silence before a battle is joined.
Every other seal is opened and the action starts right away, but not so with the 7th. Here God’s completion of all things takes on a new dimension. During the 7th chapter there were angels holding back the four winds symbolizing a pause in the destruction. God has finished showing John what he wanted to show in regard to the 144,000 Jews and the unnumbered dead Christians. Something new will come now.
Have you ever had to put a dog to sleep? It is a traumatic experience for even if the dog is ill or something your kids loved more than you there are still so many great memories. To act to conclude it is a tough, tough thing. Would it be any different for God? Did he not make the world and all that is in it? Is the elephant or the Grand Canyon responsible for sin? What about the Carolina Wren or a squirrel? How about that rabbit that runs across the road in the Appalachian Mountains? See the 7th seal brings judgment on that God-crafted, infinitely intricate habitat of men. A habitat man crushed.
Opening ceremonies
Angels and Trumpets
2 Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. (Revelation 8:3–ESV)
After the silent anticipation had stretched to an half hour animation returned. John tells us of seven other angels. These were heretofore unspoken of but still present, still attending to their God-given purpose. In that capacity each received a trumpet; mark in your own mind what trumpets are noted for: intensity, loudness. These characteristics are well suited to announcement.
So put yourself into this heavenly scene. The final seal is broken and heaven goes silent. The expectation of something happening immediately is shattered replaced by an immense perhaps palpable silence. As this ceremony was not routine no one knows how long this developing silence will last. As you wait and watch trumpets are brought in and taken to a cadre of angels which to this point had merely been participants. That they received these trumpets raises your imagination of the scene. Surely they will be blown and in this silent convocation ringing loud, ringing clear. That at least is the implications your mind will craft for you.
An angel and a censer
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. (Revelation 8:2-4–ESV)
The seven angels were fixtures of the scene and maybe John had long noted but not mentioned them for their lack of apparent activity. They were just there, before the throne. After his attention was drawn to them perhaps by other angels bringing in those trumpets another angel walked onto the scene. This angel was not part of the eternal fixture. He had a momentary role and for it he arrived. He brought with him not a musical instrument or a scroll, but a censer. That golden religious utensil may have been swinging at his side, perhaps held.
No matter how he carried this accoutrement all eyes surely were upon him as he moved through the quiet scene. His walking would have grabbed the attention of all in heaven. Where would he go? What was his purpose? This whole scene had never been seen or acted out before. Well, his walk finished at the altar of incense, a fitting place for one carrying a censer.
He, like the angels before him received something: incense. So far so normal, but the heavenly host probably thought, “Look how much!” maybe even going so far to think, “I’ve never seen that much incense offered at one time, and prayers too?” Sometimes normal events take on new dimensions. Here the participants found that new dimension. “So much, so many.” That was probably the emotion of this opening ceremony.
Leave a Reply