seals and silence
In Revelation 8, John has a powerful vision of the opening of the 7 seals, ultimately referring to the “will” that Jesus is able to open as his work on the cross gains the inheritance from God for all people.
As each seal is open there is a variety of apocalyptic like actions and images. Creatures and angels and thousands of people worshipping. Loud voices like trumpets, and movements of the earth in thunder and lightning and earthquakes.
And then, after the seventh seal is opened. Silence.
Revelation 8:1, “When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.”
The juxtaposition of this moment is startling. Revelation is a book full of jarring, movie-like images. Most Christians shudder away from even turning to the pages of this vision, because it’s so overwhelming. And yet, in the middle of Jesus doing his greatest work - gaining eternal inheritance for all of those who follow him —
There is silence.
Oh the character of God is so beautifully unchanging.
In the middle of desperate cries for a Messiah amidst abuse of the people of God - there is a baby born on a silent night.
In the middle of torturing and ridicule and a death he never deserved - there is Jesus whispering to heaven, “Father forgive them.”
In the middle of the greatest act of redemption and justice in eternity, there is half an hour of silence.
There are so many conclusions we could draw. The picture of Sabbath rest shown in this pause. The sheer awe that would lead to speechlessness. The gentleness that is found in a God who knows when to be quiet for the sake of his people.
But I am most moved by a God who sees us in our waiting. He knows that we’re expecting a warrior king and are confused by a baby, and he sees us in that space. He knows we want every enemy to be struck down, but he whispers forgiveness and invites us to do the same. He knows we’re eager for the end of the story, and he is fully deserving of the glory he will finally fully receive, but he gives us 30 minutes of quiet.
To recognize that in so many of our stories, we are desperately waiting for the fruit to come, for the seventh seal to be opened, for the prayer to be answered. And we’re in the quiet. 30 minutes turns into 30 years really quick. And we’re wondering,
“Will he ever come? Is he still here? Does he care?”
Revelation 8 reminds us that the God of the universe paused as he was righting all of the eternal wrongs. He knows what it is like to wait, and I don’t think that’s on accident. I think it’s because he has divine purpose in every 30 minute period of silence. The purpose might be different for you than for me. But whatever his purpose is in your waiting, I think Revelation 8 begs us not to miss it.
Maybe the purpose is to sit in awe like those angels did. To pause and not forget how far he has brought you.
Maybe the purpose is to rest as he did on the seventh day. To trust that the waiting is a space of recuperation and preparation.
Maybe the purpose is to simply grow your faith and to trust in the silence he will speak again.
Whatever it is, the times where God doesn’t speak are as purposeful as the times where his voice is louder than audible.
When God was silent during the inter-testamental period, that time was followed by the birth of the Messiah.
When God turned his face from Jesus on the cross, that was followed by the forgiveness of all sins.
When silence fell after the 7th seal was opened, soon after the story was finished and the winner was made clear. God poured out his wrath and his goodness and all the pain was wiped away.
I wonder what’s coming after the silence you’re experiencing in your life.
It may feel like he’s not answering your prayers for that baby, that husband, that job, that physical or emotional healing. But when he’s not speaking, something big is coming. Whether it’s preparation or rest or worship or faith - he is growing something in you.
Don’t miss out. Don’t miss out on the beauty of his presence in the waiting. Because silence doesn’t indicate absence. And he’s with you, friend.
And he’s going to speak soon, take heart, your faith is growing in the waiting.
xo,
cris
