Expositor's Bible Commentary 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)

The earthquake is God’s further sign of the vindication of his servants (cf. 6:12). But unlike the earthquake under the sixth seal, this one produces what appears to be repentance: “The survivors... gave glory to the God of heaven.” The opposite response in 16:9, “they refused to repent and glorify him,” seems to confirm that v.13 here speaks of genuine repentance (cf. 14:7; 15:4). Since the death, resurrection, and ascension of the two witnesses is worldwide in scope (vv.9–10), we may infer that the earthquake is also symbolic of a worldwide event. Even in the midst of judgment, God is active in the world to save those who repent. If there is such hope in the terrible time of final judgment, how much more now! God has not abandoned the human race. Neither should we!