A Pause

Revelation 8:1-5

The Seventh Seal and the Golden Censer

When the Lamb opened the seventh seal, there was silence in heaven for about half an hour. Then I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them. And another angel came and stood at the altar with a golden censer, and he was given much incense to offer with the prayers of all the saints on the golden altar before the throne, and the smoke of the incense, with the prayers of the saints, rose before God from the hand of the angel. 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.

We are in the pause in Revelation before the Lord’s judgement is poured out on the earth. The story of the chosen people of God is put on hold while the body of Christ takes shape and the Bride of Christ is fashioned. 

This is the time for invitations to the wedding banquet to be extended to all who would come. Israel declined when they received the first invitation. The door was opened to those beyond the house of Israel. They won’t make that same mistake again. 

Romans 11:11-12 (ESV Strong's)

Gentiles Grafted In

11 So I ask, did they stumble in order that they might fall? By no means! Rather through their trespass salvation has come to the Gentiles, so as to make Israel jealous. 12 Now if their trespass means riches for the world, and if their failure means riches for the Gentiles, how much more will their full inclusion mean!

Matthew 22:8-10 (ESV Strong's)

8 Then he said to his servants, ‘The wedding feast is ready, but those invited were not worthy. 9 Go therefore to the main roads and invite to the wedding feast as many as you find.’ 10 And those servants went out into the roads and gathered all whom they found, both bad and good. So the wedding hall was filled with guests.