Revelation 8:1-2 - When the Lamb had broken the seventh
seal, there was silence throughout all heaven for what seemed like half an
hour. And I saw the seven angels that stand before
God, and they were given seven trumpets.
John’s vision continues as the Lamb of God opened the 7th
seal. As soon as he broke it a hush of silence came upon the whole of heaven’s
occupants. The silence seemed to go for at
least a half an hour. The he saw these 7 trumpets be given to 7 angels…and they
began to blow them one by one…God unveiling a partial piece of his judgment on
the world with each one.
It’s not going to be pretty.
Hail…fire mixed with blood…burning mountains throwing themselves into
the sea…stars falling from the sky destroying our water supply…the sun darkening
and giving more darkness control of the land…until 1/3 of the earth is completely
destroyed. Lightning….thunder and earthquakes brought a solitary eagle that flew
over the scene and kept crying woe…woe…woe to the people of the earth.
I had a hard time imagining the silence…it is something I
rarely participate in unless I am forced...but these creatures were so overcome
by the appearance of these angels and their trumpets…that it took every word of
praise and worship from every creature that already lives there. They just stood there….no words for the sight
of those angels…as if they knew the moment of judgment had finally come.
That moment that the angels broke that silence began in
motion God’s final play… the decision to stop giving his creation more chances
to repent and come to him made for all eternity. Once that 7th seal
is broken there will be no turning back the clock. Time is up…and 1/3 of the world better be ready
to meet Jesus and join that silent crowd of heavenly creatures.
God doesn’t want panic ….or fear in that day. He wants his perfect love to give us the
strength and the courage we need to be ready.
We might be part of that 1/3 taken quickly by one of these calamities….but
we might also be one of the 2/3 that need to stay till his full judgment is unveiled.
That 2/3’s will need him more than they have ever needed anything in their life
if they are going to remain faithful till the end of that horrible time of history
on the earth.
Father…thank you for the reminder that you have a moment of
time reserved to stop giving me chances to draw closer to you. Forgive me for the times that I have wasted
opportunities to build strength and courage ..and let you create a faith in me
that is unwavierable…even in the realization that you are beginning your final
days on the earth. Help me to take my second chances more seriously….and seek
you in silence to plug into you….seeking wisdom and strength and courage from
your word and soaking up all you have to say to me through prayer. Amen.
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