The Sound of Silence

In Revelation 8:1, time is odd in my perspective. To begin with, what do 30 minutes in heaven even mean? Try explaining 30 minutes in eternity! Some scholars believe 30 minutes of silence could be for dramatic effect. Some others believe the silence is to hear the prayers of the saints. If anything, heaven must be active and fun so that God may have added 30-minute silence to focus, or there may be a natural reverence to prayers exist heaven or perhaps the prayers of persecuted Christians commanded it.

However, the more I read this passage, I think we may miss the point if we focus on "time."

The bibleproject.com video on Revelation (at min 8:31) teaches the judgments that follow parallel the plagues in Exodus 7-10.  Honestly, when I read about current affairs, it seems like plagues are still going on today. I believe God's warning is all these supernatural catastrophic events to help us focus on him and repent. 

I can get distracted by focusing on the issues of our life. Not only on a global scale but even on a church or family level—what better way for Christians to lose their direction, meaning, and purpose. And unbelievers to not repent.