Silence

Peter’s Test

Jesus was taken to the home of Annas, the former high priest who was father-in-law to Caiaphas, the current high priest (v. 57) (John 18:13). From there he was taken to Caiaphas’ house. The Sanhedrin were hastily assembled. They already had the verdict (guilty), but they wanted to go …

Sounding of the Seven Trumpets begins

Chapter 8 begins with the breaking of the seventh seal (vv. 1-5). The importance of this event is confirmed by the fact that “there was silence in heaven for about half an hour after it was opened.” Dr. J. Vernon McGee says the silence marks the transition from grace to judgment. God has always …

Jesus is Brought Before Pontius Pilate

The night meeting of the Sanhedrin had been illegal, so as soon as morning came they all got together again to make it legal. From here they bound Jesus and led Him to Pontius Pilate who was then governor of Judea (v. 1). In (Luke 23:1-2) it tells us that their charge became thre …

Elijah’s Mt Carmel Victory

On the day appointed a great crowd gathered on Mount Carmel (v. 20). Mount Carmel, which was agreed on by Ahab, was a fitting location since it lay between Israel and Phoenicia, the lands of the Gods in question. Also Mount Carmel was regarded by the Phoenicians as the sacred d …

IllustrationCasey Stengel’s Statement on Silence

Casey Stengel was a longtime major league baseball manager whose unique way with the English language became known as “Stengelese.” He once said, “I’ve always heard that it couldn’t be done, but sometimes it don’t always work.” That&r …

IllustrationEinstein has nothing to say

Albert Einstein attended a dinner where he received an award. Although he was not scheduled to speak, the audience pleaded for him to do so. Einstein stood and said, “Ladies and gentlemen, I am very sorry, but I have nothing to say.” Einstein sat down, but rose a few se …

IllustrationThe Respected Man’s Silence

It had been a rather stormy board meeting and some very harsh things had been said. One man-always highly respected and unusually wise in his judgments-had said nothing throughout the proceedings. Suddenly one of the leaders in the argument turned to him: “You have not said …

IllustrationCalvin Coolidge Could See Many People

When Calvin Coolidge was President he saw dozens of people every day. Most had complaints of one kind or another. A visiting Governor once told Coolidge he didn’t understand how he could see so many people. “Why, you finish with them by dinner time,” the Governo …