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Complete Silence?

I am no expert when it comes to the book of Revelation or the end times. If you want that, go check out one of the 56 books by Tim LaHaye. But it's part of the Bible and so once every decade, I take a peek. I found something that left me wanting.

"When the Lamb ripped off the seventh seal, Heaven fell quiet— complete silence for about half an hour." (Revelation 8:1)

As a father of 3 young children, and a youth pastor by trade, I don't know what 5 minutes of silence would look like, much less 30. Actually, this is quite remarkable, even for Heaven. If you read the first 7 chapters, you have Elders and Angels all singing, all the time. And I have to believe it's loud. Plus it's probably loud. What reason is there to whisper in heaven?

But the silence is not to last. And it looks like the silence there is similar to the silence that occasionally comes to my house. It's the calm before the storm. It's only quiet because something bad is about to happen. In my house, if it's too quiet, you can be sure there's plotting going on. Silence in my house is usually followed by one of several scenarios; rolls of toilet paper inextricably strewn about, a child climbing his/her way to the ceiling, quick giggles followed by shouts of 'don't tell Mom!', or blood.

I'm not saying God was plotting, but the silence is followed by 7 trumpets. And no, it's not a band. It's the tune of fire and brimstone.

Maybe you look forward to some silence in your day. So do I, but I may just remember to be a tad more thankful for the relative calm in the noise.
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