All praise and worship of the angels for the eternal God stop. The hushed souls of the martyred saints who had cried out, “How long, O Lord, before you avenge our deaths?” wait in silence. The voices of the four livinng creatures full of eyes who had declared the holiness of the Lord God Almight day and night saying, “Holy, holy, holy Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come” become silent. The 24 elders who had bowed down saying, “You are worthy. O Lord, to receive glory and honor and power; for You created all things, and by Your will they exist and were created” cease to speak.
Who could be found worthy to open the scroll with seven seals that would unleash earth’s final judgment for the sins that reached heaven’s portals? The scroll could not be read until all the seals have been opened. No creature in heaven and on earth or in all of creation was found worthy to open the seals on the scroll or to look at it. All the saints of all time hardly dared to breathe, but watched and waited in silence. Only one man on earth was called to observe and to write all that he saw. John watched in suspense too intense to bear, and so John began to weep.
The One who sat on the throne held the scroll in His right hand. Waiting. All eyes turned to Jesus. Surely the only begotten Son of the most high God, the Son who heard His Father say, “This is My beloved Son in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him” would be worthy.
What did Jesus say that was so important that God had to instruct man to listen to His beloved Son? John knew. In that moment John, the disciple whom Jesus loved, remembered Jesus’ words, “Most assuredly, I say to you, he who hears My word and believes in Him who sent Me has everlasting life, and shall not come into judgment, but has passed from death into life.” Again John recalled the words of Jesus, “This is the will of Him who sent Me, that everyone who sees the Son and believes in Him may have everlasting life; and I will raise him up at the last day.”
And then Jesus, the lion from the tribe of Judah, stepped forward, reached out His nail-scarred hand and took the scroll. A thunderous chorus erupted from thousands upon thousands of angels, the four living creatures, and the 24 elders saying, “Worthy, worthy is the Lamb of God who was slain to receive power and riches and wisdom, and strength, honor and glory and blessing.”
John watched with stunned attention as Jesus opened the first seal. The beginning of sorrows for the world. With each seal came another judgement on earth. When Jesus opened the seventh seal signifying the begining of the seven trumpet judgements , there was an eerie silence in heaven for half an hour as all of heaven waited.
After a half an hour of ominous silence, the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. Judgment begins.
The good news for believers, however, is found in Romans 8:1, “There is therefore now no condemnation to those who are in Christ Jesus.” We will not come under judgment. Do you have loved ones who may not be believers? Take time to tell them the gospel of Jesus Christ. Disciple them. Pray for them.