Through the Bible: RevelationSample

Silence in Heaven

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

A golden censer…the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, ascended before God… Revelation 8:3-4 (ESV)

Now a pause between the sixth and the seventh seal is highlighted by this sober, awestruck, half-hour silence in heaven at the judgments to come. This silence seems like a “breathing space,” so the prayers of the saints can be heard before anything happens at the opening of the seventh seal.

The prayers of God’s people come before the Lord God. Perhaps the tribulation believers are praying for deliverance from their trials or for grace to enable them to withstand them.

Just as incense is precious, pleasant, and rises up to heaven, so do our prayers. As we live in turbulent times, let us solemnly take warning of God’s wrath coming at the sounding of the trumpets. Let us have hope and right attitudes of mind coming to God’s throne of grace, with fervent intercession prayers set ablaze by the fire of the Holy Spirit—for the nations, for our neighbors, for our loved ones—while salvation is still possible before the close of mercy.

Prayer

Dear Abba Father, we come to fall at Your feet and proclaim, "Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb.” When You judge, who can withstand it? In wrath, remember mercy! In Jesus’ name, Amen.