Charles Ellicott Commentary Revelation 11:13

"And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell; and there were killed in the earthquake seven thousand persons: and the rest were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven." — Revelation 11:13 (ASV)

And the same hour . . .—A better rendering is: And in that hour there was (took place) a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and there were slain in the earthquake names of men seven thousand: and the rest became frightened and gave glory to the God of the heaven.

The hour of their triumph is the hour of a retributive warning on the city where they were slain—a convulsion, with the overthrow of dwellings and the death of seven thousand men. Is it accidental that the number is the same as the number of those who had not bowed to Baal (1 Kings 19:18)?

Rejected reformation avenges itself in revolution, and the city which might have been purified by the word is purged by the spirit of judgment (Isaiah 4:4). Good is effected, even through fear; some are saved though as by fire; and unlike those who did not repent (Revelation 9:21), they give glory to the God of heaven. The visible Church of Christ is stirred; there is a reaction from the spirit of worldliness.