Chapter 7 is an interlude between the 6th seal and the 7th seal. This is considered to be the middle of this Great Tribulation. In Daniel’s 70 weeks, this is 3 ½ years into the last week or 7 years according to most commentaries.
1 When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.
There are other references for times of silence before the Lord.
“The Lord is in His holy temple; let everyone on earth be silent in His presence.” – Habakkuk 2:20
“Be silent in the presence of the Lord God, for the Day of the Lord is near.” – Zephaniah 1:7
“Let all people be silent before the Lord, for He is coming from His holy dwelling.” – Zephaniah 2:13
The reference to half an hour can literally mean half an hour but it is generally interpreted to mean “for a time”. I associate this time to a time similar to when I was raising my sons. When they had purposely disobeyed and destroyed something I would order them to their room and then tell them I’d be there in a few minutes. During that time they would go to their room in fear of the discipline to come and I would make sure to calm down from my anger so I wouldn’t actually destroy them like I felt like doing. But for a few minutes there was silence and a lot of tension with regards to the coming confrontation.
I think this moment of silence is a stunning time. Up to this point there has been much worship with song where thousands upon thousands were making a joyful noise. Now, there is a moment of silence. I think it is a moment of awe and reverence for the power of God that is about to be used.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Do you remember the prayers of the saints? In Rev 5:8 the 24 elders had bowls of incense which was the prayers of the saints. No one should ever under estimate the power of prayer.
“It’s a good fall when a man falls on his knees.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth.” – Marvin J. Newell
“Prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven, but getting God’s will done on earth. It is not overcoming God’s reluctance but laying hold of God’s willingness.” – Richard Trench
“When we depend on organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon educations, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon God, we get what God can do.” – A.C. Dixon
“Prayer releases the grip of Satan’s power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital.” – Alan Redpath
“No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the devil; not that he practices it, but he suffers from it.” – Guy King
“God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” – John Wesley
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” – Oswald Chambers
David Platt notes some aspects of the spiritual conflict we are to engage.
2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
3 Another angel, who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given much incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people, on the golden altar in front of the throne. 4 The smoke of the incense, together with the prayers of God’s people, went up before God from the angel’s hand. 5 Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it on the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning and an earthquake.
Do you remember the prayers of the saints? In Rev 5:8 the 24 elders had bowls of incense which was the prayers of the saints. No one should ever under estimate the power of prayer.
“It’s a good fall when a man falls on his knees.” – Charles Spurgeon
“Prayer lays hold of God’s plan and becomes the link between His will and its accomplishment on earth.” – Marvin J. Newell
“Prayer is not getting man’s will done in heaven, but getting God’s will done on earth. It is not overcoming God’s reluctance but laying hold of God’s willingness.” – Richard Trench
“When we depend on organizations, we get what organizations can do; when we depend upon educations, we get what education can do; when we depend upon man, we get what man can do; but when we depend upon God, we get what God can do.” – A.C. Dixon
“Prayer releases the grip of Satan’s power; prayerlessness increases it. That is why prayer is so exhausting and so vital.” – Alan Redpath
“No one is a firmer believer in the power of prayer than the devil; not that he practices it, but he suffers from it.” – Guy King
“God does nothing but by prayer, and everything with it.” – John Wesley
“Prayer does not fit us for the greater work; prayer is the greater work.” – Oswald Chambers
David Platt notes some aspects of the spiritual conflict we are to engage.
- Our battle is fierce! – There are demons who are fighting you and want to destroy you.
- Our prayers are effective! – Our cries go up and His kingdom comes down.
- Our God is faithful! – He will demonstrate His power, vindicate His people, extend His mercy, and uphold His justice. (“Life of the Christian”)
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