When the Lamb broke the seventh seal of the scroll, silence fell on the heavenly scene. For "half an hour" awesome silence continued as all of those assembled around the throne waited expectantly to see what God would do next. This is probably a literal30 minutes since there are no clues in Revelation that we should interpret time references non-literally. Beale interpreted the silence as representing the final judgment but said he did not know why it lasts for about a half hour. [1] The purpose of the silence is apparently to prepare for what is about to happen by heightening expectation of God"s awesome judgments to follow (cf. Habakkuk 2:20; Habakkuk 3:3; Zephaniah 1:7-8; Zephaniah 1:15; Zephaniah 1:17-18; Zechariah 2:13). Perhaps the silence represents God listening to the prayers of the saints. [2] It is the lull before the storm, as a few moments of calm normally precede the most devastating destruction of a tornado or hurricane. [source][source][source]
Context Summary
Revelation 8:1-13 - The Four First Trumpets Include The Devastation Of Natural Objects. The Dumb Creation, And Even The Earth Itself, Suffers For Man's Sin. Think Of The Horses Wounded In Battle, Dying In Long Agony; Of Vast Tracks Of Country Once Smiling, With Harvest Becoming A Wilderness; Of The Soil Compelled To Produce The Ingredients Of Poisoning And Intoxication. Poor Mother Earth! Goethe Said That He Could Hear Her Sighing As A Captive For Redemption.
The seventh seal includes the seven trumpets. What a contrast that pause must have been to the jubilant songs of the great multitude! In the Jewish temple, we are told, the musical instruments and chanting resounded during the offering of the sacrifices, which occupied the first part of the service; but at the offering of the incense a solemn silence was observed, Psalms 62:1. The people prayed quietly without, at the time of incense. What a glimpse is here afforded of the intercession of our great High Priest! The smoke of the incense of His great merit arises with the prayers of the saints. Pray on, believer, though your voice be feeble, and so much imperfection mingles with your efforts to serve God. The incense of Christ's intercession is fragrant enough to make even you acceptable.
The four first trumpets include the devastation of natural objects. The dumb creation, and even the earth itself, suffers for man's sin. Think of the horses wounded in battle, dying in long agony; of vast tracks of country once smiling, with harvest becoming a wilderness; of the soil compelled to produce the ingredients of poisoning and intoxication. Poor Mother Earth! Goethe said that he could hear her sighing as a captive for redemption. [source]
Chapter Summary: Revelation 8
1At the opening of the seventh seal, 2Seven angels have seven trumpets given them 6Four of them sound their trumpets and great plagues follow 9Another angel puts incense to the prayers of the saints on the golden altar
Greek Commentary for Revelation 8:01
And when he opened [και οταν ηνοιχεν] Here modal αν an is used with οτε hote (used about the opening of the preceding six seals), but οταν hotan is not here rendered more indefinite, as is sometimes true (Mark 3:11; Revelation 4:9), but here and possibly (can be repetition) in Mark 11:19 it is a particular instance, not a general rule (Robertson, Grammar, p. 973). [source]
There followed a silence [εγενετο σιγη] Second aorist middle of γινομαι ginomai “There came silence.” Dramatic effect by this profound stillness with no elder or angel speaking, no chorus of praise nor cry of adoration, no thunder from the throne (Swete), but a temporary cessation in the revelations. See Revelation 10:4.About the space of half an hour (ως ημιωρον hōs hēmiōron). Late and rare word (ημι hēmi half, ωρα hōra hour), here only in N.T. Accusative of extent of time. [source]
About the space of half an hour [ως ημιωρον] Late and rare word (ημι hēmi half, ωρα hōra hour), here only in N.T. Accusative of extent of time. [source]
When [ὅτε] Read ὅταν , the indefinite particle with the indicative mood. For a similar construction, see Mark 11:19(correct reading). Alford observes that it occurs in the opening of this seal only, giving it an indefiniteness which does not belong to any of the rest. [source]
There was [ἐγένετο] More literally, come to pass. Rev., there followed. [source]
Greek Commentary for Revelation 8:01
Here modal αν an is used with οτε hote (used about the opening of the preceding six seals), but οταν hotan is not here rendered more indefinite, as is sometimes true (Mark 3:11; Revelation 4:9), but here and possibly (can be repetition) in Mark 11:19 it is a particular instance, not a general rule (Robertson, Grammar, p. 973). [source]
Second aorist middle of γινομαι ginomai “There came silence.” Dramatic effect by this profound stillness with no elder or angel speaking, no chorus of praise nor cry of adoration, no thunder from the throne (Swete), but a temporary cessation in the revelations. See Revelation 10:4.About the space of half an hour (ως ημιωρον hōs hēmiōron). Late and rare word (ημι hēmi half, ωρα hōra hour), here only in N.T. Accusative of extent of time. [source]
Late and rare word (ημι hēmi half, ωρα hōra hour), here only in N.T. Accusative of extent of time. [source]
Read ὅταν , the indefinite particle with the indicative mood. For a similar construction, see Mark 11:19(correct reading). Alford observes that it occurs in the opening of this seal only, giving it an indefiniteness which does not belong to any of the rest. [source]
More literally, come to pass. Rev., there followed. [source]
A usual form of expression with John. See John 1:39; John 6:19; John 11:18. [source]