There is a very intriguing incident that takes place in heaven as recorded by the apostle John in the book of Revelation: “When the Lamb broke the seventh seal on the scroll, there was silence throughout heaven for about half an hour ” [Revelation 8:1; NLT].
Two items immediately stand out in that statement: the word “silence” and the phrase “half and hour.” Both seem out of place in the context of occurring in heaven. We don’t usually consider an awareness of time being a part of heaven, and it’s certainly not a place of silence!
God Himself exists outside the boundaries of the created reality we know as “time”, but He is quite adept at working within the confines of time to accomplish His purposes. To live in the realm known as eternity or heaven, where God dwells, would be to live outside the confines of time as we know it here on earth. But the book of Revelation indicates at least an awareness in heaven of time as it affects the sequence of events both there and on earth. Whether these references to time are to be interpreted literally, figuratively, or both is subject to debate. We read of the thousand year binding of Satan, and the thousand year reign of Jesus Christ on earth. The “four living beings” are mentioned as worshiping day and night around the throne of God. Saints in white robes serve God in His temple day and night also. Even Satan is pictured as busily accusing believers before God day and night. The sixth trumpet judgment involves four angels who have been “prepared for this hour and day and month and year…”
But perhaps the most specific of these references to time is the verse in chapter eight where a period of “about half an hour” is mentioned. As the apostle John was recording the sequence of events unfolding before him in heaven, he tells us neither how he measured the passing of that half hour nor the significance of its meaning. Somehow he was in heaven but still aware of the passing of earthly time. The most intriguing fact is that this half hour is described as a period of silence.
As mentioned earlier, most Christians do not think of heaven as a quiet place. Peaceful, certainly—but not quiet. Most would perceive it to be a place of great rejoicing filled with the sounds of happiness. In churches where expressive praise and worship is highlighted and encouraged, specific references are often made to the exuberant and loud worship and praise continually going on around the throne of God in heaven—day and night, as it were. Believers are sometimes exhorted that they will be in for quite a shock in heaven if they are uncomfortable with expressive praise and worship here on earth! But perhaps expressive worshipers will be equally shocked to realize there will be a period of absolute silence in heaven also! We can be as equally intimidated by silence as we can by sound—sometimes more so. And this is no ordinary silence: it is a silence throughout all of heaven. What could cause such an unimaginable silence?
Let’s take a quick look at the context surrounding this mysterious thirty-minute period of silence in heaven. In chapter seven just prior to this event, a multitude of people, too vast to count—from every nation, tribe, people and language, is seen standing in front of the throne and the Lamb. They are shouting mightily, “Salvation comes from our God Who sits on the throne and from the Lamb!” Then all the angels, the twenty-four elders, and the four living beings fall before the throne, faces to the ground, and worship God. They exclaim an “Amen!” to the worship of the multitude clothed in white robes, and then sing their own blessing to the glory of God.
Following this resounding chorus of praise and worship from all heaven’s inhabitants, Jesus opens up the final of the seven seals binding up the scroll He received from the right hand of God on the throne. It is something only He, the glorified Lamb, can open up. No one else in heaven or on earth or under the earth is able or worthy to break the seals, open the scroll and read it [Rev. 5:2-3]—only Jesus, the Lion of Judah and the Lamb of God. He breaks the final seal, and there is silence throughout all of heaven—and incredible anticipation.
Here is a summary of four key points drawn from this event and its context:
1) We have a worship environment/atmosphere, where:
2) Jesus is the center/focus; where the worshipers respond in:
3) Silence – which is wed to:
4) Anticipation – which is birthed out of worship…
Can we apply these four points to our worship experience here on earth? In Part 2 of this article, Silence and Anticipation Here On Earth, I share my observations!
Click here for Part 2.
