2/15/22 CBB
The lame beggar and others by the pool waited and listened for the sound of angels stirring the water, hoping to be the first to respond and to receive the blessing of healing. Such is the way in the world. Always some waiting and listening for a sign and competing for God’s favor….
But a time is coming when the angels in heaven will be silent….. themselves listening and waiting……
Mark Creech in an op-ed in The Christian Post this week writes:
“Starting in Revelation 6-7, and the start of chapter 8, the Lamb of God, Christ, opens the seven seals of the scroll given to him, which is the title deed to the earth. (Recall in Matthew 5,” Blessed are the meek for they shall inherit the earth!”) These seven seals and their judgments represent the first half of seven years of what the book of Daniel calls the 70th week (Daniel 9:25-27). It is the darkest moment in human history — a time of spiritual apostasy and the rise of a mighty world figure who deceives the masses — a time of war — a time of famine — a time of death — a time of Christian martyrdom — a time of terror when the universe itself is shaken.
In Revelation 8, Christ breaks the seventh seal, and this is what happens:
When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour. I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and they were given seven trumpets” (Revelation 8: 1-2)
Silence in Heaven for about a half hour? What is this momentary pause that creates a solemn interval where everyone and everything within the heavenly realm is hushed?
John Metcalfe offers this explanation for the silence. He writes:
“Silence pertains to the ear. It is what is required if something is to be heard by those who listen. They are not making the noise. They are not making a sound. The noise comes from elsewhere. And all Heaven is still during this sufficient interval to catch the sound. What sound?
“Since the following verses show that the prayers of all saints are ascending into the silence of Heaven, for long enough an interval for Heaven to catch all that is breathed; to every sigh; and to listen to each one of the groanings; indeed, to detect even the near silent drop of every tear; the whisper of every lip: then the reason for the silence is confirmed.
“That is why there is silence in Heaven, because by this, in a figure, God is assuring his elect that all Heaven — in a moment, in one brief, but very distinct interval — inclines to hear the very words and sighs breathed from the saints below…
Solemn assembly…. the time and place of outpouring prayers that silences even the angels.
But even solemn assemblies may be interrupted by the sounds of praise and the joyful noise of hearts soaring, along with the lifted prayers, at being in God’s Presence and knowing we are heard.
We would do well to be silent, like the angels, at the outpouring of prayers before heaven.