With high expectation and anticipation for the one about to appear in concert; we with thousands of other people suddenly gasp as we hold our breaths.  It happens as we catch a glimpse of the beginning of the appearance of the one we have been waiting.  Interestingly, a concerted hush of silence falls over the entire arena a nano second before the one appears!  We hear, “Let the concert begin!”  Then cheers and applause erupt in waves over the stadium.

A similar hush fell over heaven when the Lamb of God stepped up to open the seventh seal.  Imagine all of heaven stopping the music of glorious praise for thirty minutes in anticipation for what will happen next…

Revelation 8, The Message

When the Lamb ripped off the seventh seal, Heaven fell quiet—complete silence for about half an hour.

Blowing the Trumpets

^2-4 I saw the Seven Angels who are always in readiness before God handed seven trumpets. Then another Angel, carrying a gold censer, came and stood at the Altar. He was given a great quantity of incense so that he could offer up the prayers of all the holy people of God on the Golden Altar before the Throne. Smoke billowed up from the incense-laced prayers of the holy ones, rose before God from the hand of the Angel.

⁵ Then the Angel filled the censer with fire from the Altar and heaved it to earth. It set off thunders, voices, lightnings, and an earthquake.

^6-7 The Seven Angels with the trumpets got ready to blow them. At the first trumpet blast, hail and fire mixed with blood were dumped on earth. A third of the earth was scorched, a third of the trees, and every blade of green grass—burned to a crisp.

^8-9 The second Angel trumpeted. Something like a huge mountain blazing with fire was flung into the sea. A third of the sea turned to blood, a third of the living sea creatures died, and a third of the ships sank.

^10-11 The third Angel trumpeted. A huge Star, blazing like a torch, fell from Heaven, wiping out a third of the rivers and a third of the springs. The Star’s name was Wormwood. A third of the water turned bitter, and many people died from the poisoned water.

¹² The fourth Angel trumpeted. A third of the sun, a third of the moon, and a third of the stars were hit, blacked out by a third, both day and night in one-third blackout.

¹³ I looked hard; I heard a lone eagle, flying through Middle-Heaven, crying out ominously, “Doom! Doom! Doom to everyone left on earth! There are three more Angels about to blow their trumpets. Doom is on its way!”

WHAT DO WE LEARN—HOW DO WE RESPOND?

The sound of a trumpet was used over the ages as a signal call to get ready for battle.  Although God disciplined his own people, they refused to repent.  John’s vision now includes trumpet calls to signal the battle charge for the final war waged between God’s and Satan’s forces.  Doom is coming to those who refused believing in the Son of God, therefore rejecting God, while refusing to accept eternal life.

We recall another moment of silence in heaven as the Jesus, Son of God, looked up once last time then bowed his head in excruciating pain as the Son of Man.  The crown of thorns had resulted in oozing lines blood that poured over his unrecognizable face from the beatings.  Jesus’ last words, “It is finished” prompted the hush of angels.  “Father, into your hands I commit my spirit” (John 19:30; Luke 23:46) Jesus’ last words caused all of heaven to grow silent at the words of the Savior.

The skies grew dark as the Light of the world went out—but only for a little while.  As Jesus gasped His final breath, the earth suddenly stirred and shook.  Then the earth grew quiet, the mocking stopped for there was no one to mock.  A believer with influence and means was given the body to be placed in a new tomb.  A huge stone was rolled in front to keep Jesus body in and the disciples out because “they might steal the body to prove what Jesus said about rising from the dead.”

Soldiers guarded the tomb until God’s created earth shook once more and rolled the stone away!  God’s messenger descended heaven with the Good News of Hope—Jesus defeated death and in God’s resurrection power, a power beyond all other powers, brough Jesus from death to life—forever defeating the Enemy!  The scars of torture remained but the body of Jesus whole again.

Meanwhile, everyone else went about their normal business in the city of trading, buying and selling, while Jesus’ beloved mourned Him. No, we wouldn’t have written the drama of redemption in this way. But, we weren’t asked to, because the redemption plan can only be brought about by God. The players and props were heaven picked and God ordained. We were not asked to design the hour, the place, or the outcome.  And I’m glad!

But we have been asked to respond to God’s Plan to save us from all our sins!

Have you heard the Good News that Jesus died to save us and set us free from ALL sins—to be removed and remembered no more?  We only need to acknowledge and confess our sins to Him.

With a resolved mind and sincere heart, express your love and ask Jesus;  “Jesus I need you, I’m tired of doing life by myself. Jesus, forgive me.  Cleanse my heart, renew mind, and come into my life to stay.  Transform me with the power of your Holy Spirit to be more like you as I relate to you and to others.”

Give your life to God as an offering of worship to Him.  (Romans 12)

Then go tell someone about Jesus and what He has done for you and in you today because He is for everyone who comes to Him!  “Jesus came to them and said, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” –Jesus, Matthew 28:18-20

Lord,

Thank you for the warnings, revealing the outcomes of rejecting you.  I trust you with my life.  I lean on your understanding and wisdom.  Thank you for saving us and setting us free to live, grow, expand and extend your love to others because of your love living in us.  When I fall for temptation, you quickly come to rescue me and give me the power to resist the attacks of evil.  You lift me up in my thinking.  You teach me your Word that is the stored treasure for my soul.  Thank you for who you are and what you do for us every day.  May we realize the full extent of your love for us and intentionally love others like you love us.

In Jesus Name, Amen

Listen for the trumpet of Jesus…