Calm Before The Storm or Silence Before The Thunder

 

 

“And when he had opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven about the space of half an hour. And the seven angels which had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to sound. And I saw another mighty angel come down from heaven, clothed with a cloud: and a rainbow was upon his head, and his face was as it were the sun, and his feet as pillars of fire....And cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roareth: and when he had cried, seven thunders uttered their voices. And in the days of the voice of the seventh angel, when he shall begin to sound, the mystery of God should be finished, as he hath declared to his servants the prophets.” Revelation 8:1, 6 & Revelation 10:1, 3, 7.

 

We hear from quite a number who are concerned about the rarity of fellowship, as well as it being so quiet inwardly and outwardly. The word of revelation is not stirring in them like they once knew it, and we are asked: “What happened to the ministries who used to travel the country breaking new ground with the word of the Kingdom and sharing revelations from on high with the body of Christ? Why has there been such a stillness, such a hush from hearing our Lord’s voice? Other than The Pathfinder, and a couple of others that come by mail, why are we alone and without other sources? Just to read or be with one or two others who speak the same language would be wonderful. Where are they? The thunder and trumpets of revelation used to be the norm, but not now! Why is it so still and quiet? It is like a holy hush has settled over the body of Christ.”

 

We, of course, empathize with each of them; but we should be encouraged that although silence has swept over our lives, trumpets and thunder are coming.

 

Trumpets and thunder are two of the most awe-inspiring phenomena known to man. It goes without saying that when a trumpet sounds, all attention is given to it. Thunder can roll fiercely through the heavens with the deep roar of a lion and then wane into the muffled clouds as searching for its prey. In the scriptures, they both often represent declarations and some sort of judgment upon people and nations. Trumpets signify a clear declaration, a command, a revelation, or a message.

 

There is a thunder that comes from fiery channels of lightning streaking through the dark body of vapors, seemingly slicing it open and signaling the earthbound rain and hail to start their descent. "The clouds poured out water: the skies sent out a sound: thine arrows also went abroad. The voice of thy thunder was in the heaven: the lightning lighted the world: the earth trembled and shook. Thy way is in the sea, and thy path in the great waters, and thy footsteps are not known." Psalm 77:17-19.

 

At times lightning bolts are never seen, other than illuminations from deep within the secret chambers of charged thunder clouds; but if one is near enough, the report of those secret conclaves can be heard.

 

Thunder can come as an instant clap, an ear-piercing burst that jars the heavens and set the earth ablaze, and every living creature scurries for cover in fear as the Psalmist wrote: "At Thy rebuke they fled; at the voice of thy thunder they hasted away." Psalm 104:7. The resound of thunder, symbolizing the majestic voice of God, who can silence it? It would be just as easy to chain the wind or stay the tide as it would to shut His mouth of thunder.

 

There are vast resources and treasures in God's heavens, and one of them is Thunder, and notably so; for it is often used in reference to judgment, change, and restoration. Although judgment is not pleasant to anyone who is contrary to God or who might be running from Him. For instance, I knew a man who loved to hear the word of the Lord. It excited him as revelation a chord in his spirit; but after a few weeks, he pulled back the reins, dismounted, as it were, and went back to his old way of life. I questioned him to see what caused this sudden change of direction. He said: “I came to the realization that the more I know the more I will be held accountable and responsible for. If I don’t know about it, I won’t be responsible for not living it. Therefore, I do not want to hear any more of the word.” I told him that if a bridge has been washed out by a flood, it is a good thing to know about it so you can be accountable and apply the brakes before plunging into the river. But, sadly he did not take heed, and he plunged into the metaphorical river. For he was tragically killed sometime later at the young age of forty-nine years old.