Revelation 11:13
And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.
English Standard Version (ESV)
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It's easy to see the earthquake and the deaths as just the dramatic conclusion to the witnesses' testimony. But notice how the text explicitly connects this judgment to the remnant giving glory to God. This wasn't just random destruction; it was a divine display that terrified survivors into acknowledging God, showing that even fear can become a pathway to repentance and awe.
Immediately following the dramatic resurrection and ascension of God's two witnesses, the city where they were martyred experiences a violent earthquake. This cataclysm shatters a tenth of the city, kills seven thousand people, and terrifies the survivors, causing them to finally acknowledge and give glory to the God of heaven.
When the two witnesses ascend, the city where they were martyred experiences a violent tremor. What does this 'earthquake' signify beyond a literal shaking?
The earthquake here isn't just a natural disaster; it's a powerful symbol of God's judgment and the upheaval that follows defiance against Him. Just as earthquakes can topple buildings and reshape landscapes, this divine tremor shakes the foundations of the persecuting city.
A Sign of Consequence
The 'Tenth Part' of Destruction
The text mentions 'a tenth part of the city fell.' This suggests a significant but not total destruction, indicating a severe blow to the persecuting power, but leaving room for a remnant to respond.
In the wake of the earthquake, some perish, but the 'remnant' are terrified and 'gave glory to the God of heaven.' What does this terrified 'glory' mean?
The response of the 'remnant' is crucial. It's not just fear, but a profound, awe-filled recognition of God's power, leading to glory. This isn't necessarily a deep, repentant faith for all, but a universal acknowledgment of divine authority.
Fear as a Catalyst
Glorifying God in Awe
Understand the original words
seismos · Greek Noun
A sudden, violent shaking of the earth, often used in biblical prophecy as a sign of God's intervention, judgment, or the collapse of human systems in the presence of the Almighty.
doxan didomi · Greek Noun/Verb (phrase: gave glory)
To acknowledge God's character, sovereignty, and worthiness through worship, confession, or recognition of His divine power. In a judicial context, it serves as a final admission of God’s supreme reality.
The earthquake and subsequent terror described in Revelation 11:13 likely represent symbolic, cataclysmic events of divine judgment and a turning point for societal understanding of God's power, occurring within the broader context of Roman imperial power and the early spread of Christianity.
c. 33 AD
Crucifixion and Resurrection of Jesus
The pivotal events of Jesus' life, death, and resurrection, which form the foundation of Christian belief and mission.
c. 44-62 AD
Paul's Missionary Journeys and Epistles
The Apostle Paul spreads Christianity throughout the Roman Empire, establishing churches and writing letters that become foundational New Testament texts.
c. 64-70 AD
Great Fire of Rome and Neronian Persecution
Emperor Nero blames Christians for the Great Fire of Rome, initiating a period of intense persecution and martyrdom.
70 AD
Destruction of Jerusalem and the Temple
The Roman army under Titus destroys Jerusalem and its Temple, a catastrophic event for Jewish life and a sign of judgment.
This passage describes Elijah confronting the prophets of Baal on Mount Carmel. After a powerful demonstration of God's might, the people fell facedown and declared, 'The Lord, he is God; the Lord, he is God,' echoing the sentiment of giving glory to God after a divine intervention.
Jeremiah 13:16This verse calls for giving glory to God before darkness falls, stating, 'Give glory to the Lord your God before he brings the darkness, before your feet stumble on the darkening mountains.' It connects the act of giving glory to God with a recognition of His power and impending judgment or action.
Acts 4:31After Peter and John are threatened for healing a lame man, the believers pray for boldness, and 'when they had prayed, the place in which they were gathered together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the word of God with boldness.' This shows a divine sign (earthquake) accompanying spiritual empowerment and boldness in proclaiming God.
Psalm 55:19This psalm speaks of God hearing the cries of the faithful and bringing deliverance, noting that 'God will hear and humble them, even he who is enthroned from of old... because they do not change, therefore they do not fear God.' The fear and subsequent glorying in God in Revelation suggest a change that contrasts with those who remain unrepentant and fearless.
barnesRevelation 11:13: "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."
And the same hour - In immediate connection with their triumph. Was there a great earthquake - "An earthquake is a symbol of commotion, agitation, change; of great political revolutions, etc. See the notes on Revelation 6:12. The meaning here is, that the triumph of t…
clarkeRevelation 11:13: "And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain of men seven thousand: and the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven."
A great earthquake - Violent commotions among the persecutors, and revolutions of states. Slain of men seven thousand - Many perished in these popular commotions. The remnant were affrighted - Seeing the hand of God's judgments so remarkably stretched out. Gave glory…
It's easy to see the earthquake and the deaths as just the dramatic conclusion to the witnesses' testimony. But notice how the text explicitly connects this judgment to the remnant giving glory to God. This wasn't just random destruction; it was a divine display that terrified survivors into acknowledging God, showing that even fear can become a pathway to repentance and awe.
Immediately following the dramatic resurrection and ascension of God's two witnesses, the city where they were martyred experiences a violent earthquake. This cataclysm shatters a tenth of the city, kills seven thousand people, and terrifies the survivors, causing them to finally acknowledge and give glory to the God of heaven.
Immediately following the dramatic resurrection and ascension of God's two witnesses, the city where they were martyred experiences a violent earthquake. This cataclysm shatters a tenth of the city, kills seven thousand people, and terrifies the survivors, causing them to finally acknowledge and give glory to the God of heaven.
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c. 95 AD— this verse
The Book of Revelation Written
The Apostle John receives his vision on the island of Patmos, likely during a period of Roman persecution, and records the apocalyptic prophecies.
313 AD
Edict of Milan
Emperor Constantine grants religious tolerance throughout the Roman Empire, ending widespread persecution of Christians.
c. 325 AD
Council of Nicaea
The first ecumenical council addresses key theological disputes, particularly regarding the nature of Christ, shaping orthodox Christian doctrine.
"And at that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city fell. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven." — It's easy to see the earthquake and the deaths as just the dramatic conclusion to the witnesses' testimony. But notice how the text explicitly connects this judgment to the remnant giving glory to…
