A moment of silence is a period of silent contemplation, prayer, reflection, or meditation. During a moment of silence, participants typically bow their heads, remove their hats, and refrain from speaking, or moving, for the duration. I went to a ball game and they had a moment of silence for a teenage player who had died of cancer. The announcer told us a little of his life, his struggle and his love for football. Because of his age there was a lot of sympathy and support in the crowd for the sad loss and shortened life.
Some people are uneasy during a period of “silent meditation,” even while there is soft music playing in the background to reduce their uncomfortable feelings from the absence of normal sounds. Why are some people uncomfortable with silence?
Our lives are constantly filled with noise and activities. This week, I drove past a man raking his lawn with a headset listening to his music. I believe that silent meditation and contemplation are frightening to our culture. Do any of you remember the days before boom boxes, personal radios, pagers, and cell phones? People did live without those objects! Today cell phones and the apps on them make it hard for people to have personal times of silence. If people are not sleeping, they become restless and anxious during times of silence.
In Revelation chapter 8:1-5, the seventh seal of the scroll is completely open. When the Lamb opens the seventh seal, we are met by 30 minutes of silence in verse 1. Why silence? It could be because of the horror of the coming judgement upon those still rejecting God. Or it could be out of respect for the Lamb and His authority. Or it could be the sorrow for unnecessary loss of life.
In chapter 7 the great multitude of people were lavishing songs of praise to God and the Lamb. Now all those in heaven are mute as God unfolds His judgment. Every being that exists in heaven is speechless when they witness God’s power and authority!
There are times in history when the whole world, nations, and groups of people have held their breath, as it were, to watch an unbelievable catastrophe. But nothing compares to this!
The title of the book of Revelation means it is the disclosure of Jesus Christ the Lamb of God, God Himself! This occasion in chapter 8 is a special revelation of God. The might of His judgment is so awesome that humans and the angels have never seen anything similar to this!
And yet, this silence occurs in the context of worship. There is silent worship and awe at this stunning Revelation of God.
The silence in Revelation chapter 8 is dramatic and effective. But it is more. It is as if all of
heaven and earth held its breath before the revelation of the scroll.
Notice what there is not before God’s judgement is carried out. There is not gloating. There is not revenge. There is not personal retribution over our enemies or those who did wrong. The silence is the silent expectation of the awesome day of the Lord.
It was explained in the Old Testament prophecy of Zephaniah in chapter 1
7 Be silent in the presence of the Lord God;
For the day of the Lord is at hand,
For the Lord has prepared a sacrifice;
He has invited His guests.
15 That day is a day of wrath,
A day of trouble and distress,
A day of devastation and desolation,
A day of darkness and gloominess,
A day of clouds and thick darkness,
17 “I will bring distress upon men,
And they shall walk like blind men,
Because they have sinned against the Lord;
Their blood shall be poured out like dust,
And their flesh like refuse.”
18 Neither their silver nor their gold
Shall be able to deliver them
In the day of the Lord’s wrath;
This moment of silence is the realization that the events of history will not just ‘happen,’ driven by some grim predetermined force, such as global warming or some natural disaster. God is displaying His power over all of His creation just as He said He would do.
Nothing on this earth will rescue a person if anyone rejects God’s grace. “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?” Matthew 8:35
Jesus taught us about God’s authority and power. “Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.” – Matthew 10:28
At The Day of the Lord there will be silence in heaven and on earth for all those who have rejected the grace of God. There will be the absolute justice of God’s judgement, and all will be speechless including those who are without excuse.
The apostle Paul wrote: For since the creation of the world His invisible attributes are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even His eternal power and Godhead, so that they are without excuse. – Romans 1:20
We are celebrating communion because we remember that Jesus redeemed us and rescued us by His sacrifice on the cross. If you are not sure you have God’s provision of eternal life for you, ask Him to save you right now and join us as we worship.
“Whoever believes in the Son has everlasting life; and anyone who does not believe the Son shall not see life, but the wrath of God abides on them.” – John 3:36
As we partake of the Lord’s supper let’s come in awe that He has rescued us from His judgement and we can have a moment of silence in awe of the salvation He has given us from the day of the Lord.
(silence)
1 Corinthians 11:23-26
23 For I received from the Lord that which I also delivered to you: that the Lord Jesus on the same night in which He was betrayed took bread;
24 and when He had given thanks, He broke it and said, “Take, eat; this is My body which is broken for you; do this in remembrance of Me.”
25 In the same manner He also took the cup after supper, saying, “This cup is the new covenant in My blood. This do, as often as you drink it, in remembrance of Me.”
26 For as often as you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death till He comes.
Our tradition following the Lord’s Supper, we collect a special offering. This offering supplies for the needs for our brothers and sisters in Christ. This is a voluntary offering and we ask that you give as you are led. The offering basket is on the table as you exit. We base our giving on the Scriptural text:
I John 3:17-18; 23–24 “But whoever has the world’s goods, and beholds his brother in need and closes his heart against him, how does the love of God abide in Him? …let us not love with word or with tongue, but in-deed and truth. Now this is His commandment, that we believe in the name of His Son Jesus Christ, and love one another.