“But the wicked are like the churning sea, which cannot rest, whose waves cast up mire and mud” (Isaiah 57:20). Our world is in a perfect storm… rejection of God, a love of sin and immorality, and great division everywhere, creating chaos. Evil is called good, and good is called evil; waves of dysfunction and evil are pummeling in, one after another, with barely time to process the first disaster… when another crashes in.
Meanwhile… the prayers of God’s people are ascending to His Throne room… “Another angel who had a golden censer, came and stood at the altar. He was given MUCH incense to offer, with the prayers of all God’s people on the golden altar in front of the Throne… there, the incense and prayer went up before God from the angel’s hand” (Revelation 8:3, 4). Then something profound happens!
All the believers in Heaven, witnessing this angel deliver the prayers to God, fall completely silent! The chaotic clamorings of earth are silenced by a heavenly hush. Why? Because a great exchange takes place; the prayers of the people are replaced with God’s judgment… “When the 7th seal was opened, there was silence in heaven for half an hour (vs 1). Then the angel took the censer, filled it with fire from the altar, and hurled it to the earth; and there came peals of thunder, rumblings, lightning flashed, and a terrible earthquake (vs 5).” Devastation follows for the unrepentant God haters on earth.
Anytime we see judgment from God, we ALWAYS know it was preceded by great patience and striving, calling mankind to Himself, over and over again; “He is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.” But His judgment WILL come and it WILL be fully just. This heavenly hush is a state of awe and reverence that falls over their hearts. They are watching their “Lion of Judah” roar into action with a fire fueled by their prayers.
May we never grow complacent about prayer… it is ascending to God, every word, every tear, every groan… and He’s turning them into Righteous Justice. Even knowing this now causes our hearts to ponder it all in silent wonder…
Comments