“When He opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (v.1)
Back in chapter 5 we were told of a Book, held in the right hand of God, with writings on both sides, and sealed with seven seals (v.1). And the question was asked, “Who is worthy to loose its seals and open the book” (v.2)? The question was answered by an elder in heaven saying, “The Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seals” (v.5). This was none other than Jesus Christ.
In chapter 6 He (Jesus) opened the first 6 seals ushering in the tribulation period. Chapter 7 described the sealing of 12,000 men from each of the 12 tribes of Judah (totaling 144,000), who bore witness to all the earth ushering in another great multitude, martyrs, who came out of the tribulation and into the kingdom (Ch.7:9-16).
Now here in chapter 8, Jesus opens the seventh seal which begins the seven trumpet judgments upon the earth. This brings a silence in heaven for about a "half an hour”. I believe this to be a time of solemn realization for what is about to happen. That is, the prayers of the martyred saints are about to be answered through the seven trumpet judgments, "How long, Sovereign Lord, holy and true, until you judge the inhabitants of the earth and avenge our blood?" (Revelation 6:10)
While these catastrophic events are yet future, and while they may or may not happen in our lifetime, the remaining verses of chapter 8 (7-13), describe them in detail. And as the angel in verse 13 says, “Woe, woe, woe to the inhabitants of the earth, for there three more trumpets yet to sound.” In other words, you do not want to be in that company, but in the company of the Lord.
The Truth: "Watch therefore, and pray always, that you may be accounted worthy to escape all these things that shall come to pass, and to stand before the Son of man.” (Luke 21:36)
