The Awesome Wonder in Heaven
12/17 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8; Zechariah 4; John 7:1-52
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12/17 Reading Portions: 2 Chronicles 19-20; Revelation 8; Zechariah 4; John 7:1-52
Revelation 8:1
When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
SILENCE
I mentioned it two days ago in the devotional from Revelation 6, that this seventh seal, reveals to us the truth of Christ’s everlasting gospel so that we wonder in silence for about a half a moment every time we ponder His amazing grace. Several theologians and scholars have suggested that this is the host of heaven, silenced in awe as they anticipate what is to come. I would not refute that, as the gospel of Christ includes everything, past, present, and future. Nevertheless, to discount or even dismiss the wonder of the gospel of grace and the salvation of fallen mankind through the incarnation, crucifixion, resurrection, ascension, and return of Christ is the acme of foolishness. Scripture states that the good news of the preached gospel are…
… things into which angels long to look. 1 Peter 1:12
Moreover, we also read in the Old Testament,
Let the heavens praise Your wonders, O LORD, Your faithfulness in the assembly of the holy ones! Psalm 89:5
If the gospel of grace, mercy, and love through the Lord Jesus Christ is so full of wonder that the angels long to look into it, then should it not also be a wonder to you and me? Of course it should.
But why half an hour? I believe it is given as something instructive for the readers of John’s day, as well as for you and me. John sees a heavenly vision; therefore, what he sees is in eternity and not confined to time. Nevertheless, this seems to be indicative of a short prelude prior to the activity of the angels. Perhaps it was to hear from the Lord Jesus Christ as to what they must do. This, likewise, would be our posture and place when we find ourselves pondering the awesome wonder of the Christ’s gospel— to pause to listen for Christ’s command from the gospel, whatever it might be.