Today's reading: Revelation 8
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Revelation 8:1 NRSV
As each seal is opened, something very dramatic happens. The suspense intensifies as the seals get closer and closer to the seventh seal. Then, when the seventh seal is reached there is....about a half an hour of silence.
Anti-climatic? Possibly
Biblical? Definitely.
In the book of I Kings, the prophet Elijah has gone up the mountain of Horeb to meet with God. While up there, several things happened. First there was a great wind that was so strong it broke stones. The second was an earthquake. The third was fire. And after the fire there was sheer silence. It was in the silence that Elijah realized God was present.
Something very holy and God-filled happens when the Lamb breaks the seventh seal. It isn't dramatic and doesn't involve anyone crying out or making a proclamation. Instead, it is pure silence. No angel or saint sings to God or praises the Almighty. Silence reigns instead.
Makes me wonder if I could spend about half an hour in holy silence today. How about you?
God, thank you for the silence. May we open our hearts to you to day in the quiet. In Jesus' name we pray. Amen.
Copyright 2010 Amelia G. Sims
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