SOAP: Scripture, Observation, Application, Prayer

Scripture: Revelation 8:1 ¶ When he opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

Observation: The previous chapters of Revelation show heaven to be a place of continuous praise and worship. Silence seems out of place. That silence is mentioned here indicates how unusual it is. From the following verses, I am wondering if God is not looking at the earth he created knowing that soon it would be destroyed with hail, and fire, and sun storm, and falling stars. This was the place he had created to be the home for his highest creation—man. Man’s sin had so corrupted the earth that it must be destroyed. Is God is thinking about what could have been?
In Genesis we read of God taking the form of a man to check out Sodom from an earthly level. He gave Abraham the opportunity to intercede for the city before destroying it because of its sin.

Application: God is thoughtful before active. He thinks before acting out of anger. His anger is under the control of his holiness. He will not be unjust. Instead of counting to 10, maybe I need to be silent for 30 minutes before letting anger motivate me to action.

Prayer: Loving God, you are perfectly holy. When your love is expressed in repeated mercy that is continually rejected your holiness steps in with judgment. Amen.

September 3: Ezekiel 20-21; Psalm 111; Revelation 8

Pastor Leon

Making friends for time and eternity!