“When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.” (Rev 8:1)
Are you curious as to why heaven suddenly goes silent? Me too. Six of the seven seals have just been opened in chapter 6, revealing one incredible judgment after another, but as the final seal is broken, we read there was 'silence in heaven for half an hour'. No one is exactly sure why heaven goes silent at this moment, but there is something else I don't want you to miss out on in this chapter.
Those in heaven have never been completely silent in their continuous worship of God. In fact, scripture tells us that there are four living creatures who never cease, to cry: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is, and is to come” (Rev 4:8) - and yet, as the seventh seal is broken a heavenly hush descended on the assembly, as another mighty angel enters with a golden censer.
Many theologians believe this angel is 'The Angel of the Lord' , or our Lord Jesus, who is God's anointed High Priest of heaven. The Book of Hebrews tells us that Jesus is the One at the right hand of the Father, interceding for all the saints day and night.
He is the Kingly-Priest after the order of Melchizedek, but I also want you to notice here that in this hallowed scene, “He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand.” (Rev 8:3-4)
Did you know your prayers are being stored?
Just stop to think for a moment that the angel was holding a golden censer, and was given much incense to burn before the Lord. The smoke of the incense and perfumed fragrance of the spices, which exhale its sweet perfume when burned, was given to him so he might mingle it with the prayers of all the people of God on the golden altar before the throne of the Lord.
From the beginning of time prayers of petition, intercession,
thanksgiving and praise have ascended from God's people to His throne of
grace.
- Abraham prayed when he reached the
- Noah prayed when safely delivered from the waters that flooded the earth.
- Daniel faced
- And think how often The Psalms have been turned to for prayers! And,
- Jesus encouraging us to pray, "Thy Kingdom come, Thy will be done, as it is in heaven."
_Peter assured us that the eyes of the Lord are always on the righteous and His ears are attentive to the prayers and petitions of His people.
_Psalms 116 tells us that God bends down to listen to our prayers
Beloved, our prayers are a sweet-smelling aroma that ascend to our Lord. Even though they may not seem so eloquent, or might not have been answered yet, we can trust that a day is coming when heaven will be silent for half an hour; to usher in a mighty angel with His golden censer. And the smoke of the incense of Christ's High Priestly intercessions will be combined with the our prayers - as the final phase of God's plan of redemption begins.
Just how cool is that?
Blessings,
sue