After the encouraging vision and the rich promise of Revelation 7, we see how the Lamb opens the seventh seal. But then a curious event occurs. We read in Revelation 8:1, “And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.” So, the encouraging vision is followed by a silence of roughly half an hour. We should not read too much into this time indication, for it says "about half an hour.” It suggests a time period that is neither too short nor too long.
Why this silence? The first thing we should realize is that it is not that nothing happens in this silence, but that the heavenly choirs are silent and God is silent. It is silent, but in that silence we see all kinds of things happening, which are described in verses 2-5a. First, John sees how, in this impressive silence in God's throne room, seven angels receive seven trumpets, ram's horns, or shofars. Immediately preceding and following this silence, we find God's judgments. God is coming! He comes to redeem His own and defeat His enemies. He comes, redeeming and judging, delivering and punishing.
This all reminds us of the story in Joshua 6, about the fall of Jericho. Seven priests, each carrying a ram's horn, march before the ark around Jericho. Everything happens in silence, for seven days. The seventh day is different. On that day, the priests march around Jericho seven times, and after the blowing of the trumpets, all the people shout loudly, and the wall collapses. The trumpets serve as a sign of God's judgment, both punishing and redeeming at the same time.
Similarly, in Joel 2:1 and 15, where the Day of the LORD is described, we read, "Blow the trumpet in Zion.” The Day of the LORD is a day of judgment as well as redemption. Who will endure that day? All who call upon the LORD and repent to God.
Likewise, in Revelation 8, during this silence, trumpets are given, and they will soon blow, after which God's judgments will be unleashed on earth. These judgments will cause the mighty walls of earthly Babylon to fall, and her place will be taken by the heavenly Jerusalem. The trumpets will herald the Day of the LORD, the great day from which no one escapes.
Are we prepared for that Day? In Jesus Christ, that Day is a day of deliverance. In Him, we do not have to fear that Day.