And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour.
Was - `began to be.'
Silence in heaven about ... half an hour. The last seal being opened, the book of God's plan of redemption is opened for the Lamb to read to the blessed ones. The half-hour's silence contrasts with the loud anthem of the great multitude, taken up by angels (Revelation 7:9-11). It is the solemn introduction to the eternal Sabbath-rest, commencing with the Lamb's reading the book, heretofore sealed, which we cannot know until then. In Revelation 10:4. similarly at the eve of the sounding of the seventh trumpet, when the seven thunders uttered their voices, John is forbidden to write them. The seventh trumpet (Revelation 11:15-19) winds up God's vast plan of providence and grace, just as the seventh seal does. So the seventh vial (Revelation 16:17). Not that the seven seals, seven trumpets, and seven vials, though parallel, are repetitions. They each trace the divine action up to the grand consummation in which they all meet, under a different aspect. Thunders, lightnings, an earthquake, and voices, close the seven thunders and the seven seals alike (cf. Revelation 8:5 with Revelation 11:19). Compare at the seventh vial (Revelation 16:18). The half-hour silence is GIVEN TO JOHN between the preceding vision and the following one: it is, on one hand, the solemn introduction to the eternal sabbatism following the seventh seal; on the other, the silence during the incense accompanied prayers which usher in the first of the seven trumpets (Revelation 8:3-5). In the Jewish temple, musical instruments and singing resounded during the whole offering of sacrifices, which formed the first part of the service. But at the offering of incense solemn silence was kept (Psalms 62:1, "My soul waiteth upon God;" margin, 'is silent;' Psalms 65:1, margin), the people praying secretly. The half-hour stillness implies, too, the adoring expectation with which the blessed spirits and angels await the unfolding of God's judgments. A short space; for even an hour is so used (Revelation 17:12; Revelation 18:10; Revelation 18:19).