The silence here indicates that the Lord has been tolerating the sinful and rebellious situation on the earth; He tolerates for the gospel to be preached and the bride to be prepared, but at this point, there's no more tolerance.
Rev. 8:2 And I saw the seven angels who stand before God, and seven trumpets were given to them.
The seventh seal equals to seven trumpets.
Rev. 8:3 And another Angel came and stood at the altar, having a golden censer, and much incense was given to Him to offer with the prayers of all the saints upon the golden altar which was before the throne. (The another Angel is Christ, He stands on the position sent by God to execute God's administration- As appeared in OT that Christ often came as the Angel of the Lord)
Rev. 8:4 And the smoke of the incense went up with the prayers of the saints out of the hand of the Angel before God.
(The Lord wants to come in and deal with the worldly situation, but there's a need for the saints to pray). A very important principle, even though God wants to do many things, He waits for the saints to pray so that He can move.
Rev. 8:5 And the Angel took the censer and filled it with the fire of the altar and cast [it] to the earth; and there were thunders and voices and lightnings and an earthquake.
Rev. 8:6 And the seven angels who had the seven trumpets prepared themselves to trumpet.
Rev. 8:7 And the first trumpeted, and there was hail and fire mingled with blood, and it was cast to the earth; and the third part of the earth was burned up, and the third part of the trees were burned up, and all green grass was burned up.
Rev. 8:8 And the second angel trumpeted, and as it were a great mountain burning with fire was cast into the sea; and the third part of the sea became blood,
Rev. 8:9 And the third part of the creatures which were in the sea [and] had life died, and the third part of the ships were destroyed.
Rev. 8:10 And the third angel trumpeted, and a great star fell out of heaven, burning like a torch, and it fell upon the third part of the rivers and upon the springs of waters.
Rev. 8:11 And the name of the star is called Wormwood; and the third part of the waters became wormwood, and many of the men died from the waters because they were made bitter.
Rev. 8:12 And the fourth angel trumpeted, and the third part of the sun and the third part of the moon and the third part of the stars were smitten, so that the third part of them would be darkened and the day would not appear for the third part of it, and the night likewise.
The secret of God's economy is in the seven seals.