Worship Loud or Worship Quiet - Revelation 6-11

Revelation 8:1 (ESV)

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour.

We are not told why the silence in heaven, it this section of The Revelation begins some of the worst punishments on mankind.  God is pouring His wrath out on mankind for their rejection of Him.  The silence last, per John, for about one-half hour.   Notice what comes after the silence:

Revelation 8:5 (ESV)

Then the angel took the censer and filled it with fire from the altar and threw it on the earth, and there were peals of thunder, rumblings, flashes of lightning, and an earthquake.

The silence John experienced is in stark contrast to what he had experienced so far, in this visit.  Note:

1. God’s throne was full of noise:

Revelation 4:5 (ESV)

From the throne came flashes of lightning, and rumblings and peals of thunder, and before the throne were burning seven torches of fire, which are the seven spirits of God,

2.  The Elders around the throne were full of noise:

Revelation 4:11 (ESV)

“Worthy are you, our Lord and God,

to receive glory and honor and power,

for you created all things,

and by your will they existed and were created.”

3. The four living creatures made noise:

Revelation 5:8 (ESV)

And when he had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each holding a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.

4. More angles made noise:

Revelation 5:11-12 (ESV)

Then I looked, and I heard around the throne and the living creatures and the elders the voice of many angels, numbering myriads of myriads and thousands of thousands, 

saying with a loud voice,

“Worthy is the Lamb who was slain,

to receive power and wealth and wisdom and might

and honor and glory and blessing!”

5. There was noise when the seals were open:

Revelation 6:1 (ESV)

Now I watched when the Lamb opened one of the seven seals, and I heard one of the four living creatures say with a voice like thunder, “Come!”

6. The riders on the horses made noise:

Revelation 6:2-3 (ESV)

2 And I looked, and behold, a white horse! And its rider had a bow, and a crown was given to him, and he came out conquering, and to conquer.

3 When he opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, “Come!”

Heaven, at this point, was not quiet.  That is why John records this silence.   This pause is to create the suspense that as the seventh seal is open more noise and destruction and vengeance by God is coming.   It is assuring to know that we, as believers, are a witness to all this and we hear it all.   In heaven, there seems to be a time of great worship with noise and a time for great worship in silence.