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Revelation 11:13

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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 {G2532} the same {G1722}{G1565} hour {G5610} was there {G1096} a great {G3173} earthquake {G4578}, and {G2532} the tenth part {G1182} of the city {G4172} fell {G4098}, and {G2532} in {G1722} the earthquake {G4578} were slain {G615}{G3686} of men {G444} seven {G2033} thousand {G5505}: and {G2532} the remnant {G3062} were {G1096} affrighted {G1719}, and {G2532} gave {G1325} glory {G1391} to the God {G2316} of heaven {G3772}.

In that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand people were killed in the earthquake, and the rest were awestruck and gave glory to the God of heaven.

And in that hour there was a great earthquake, and a tenth of the city collapsed. Seven thousand were killed in the quake, and the rest were terrified and gave glory to the God of heaven.

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.

Commentary

Revelation 11:13 KJV describes a dramatic moment immediately following the miraculous ascension of the two witnesses. This verse is part of a pivotal section in the Book of Revelation, detailing divine judgment and human response during the end times.

Context of Revelation 11:13

This verse occurs at the midpoint of the tribulation period, specifically after the two witnesses have completed their prophetic ministry, been killed by the beast from the bottomless pit (Revelation 11:7), and then resurrected and ascended to heaven. Their ascension is witnessed by their enemies, and this immediate, powerful earthquake serves as a divine affirmation of their message and a clear sign of God's power and judgment. The "city" mentioned is widely understood to be Jerusalem, a central location for many prophetic events, though some interpretations view it symbolically as any great wicked city. The timing, "the same hour," emphasizes the direct correlation between the witnesses' vindication and this ensuing divine judgment.

Key Themes and Messages

  • Divine Judgment: The earthquake and the slaying of seven thousand men are undeniable acts of God's judgment upon those who opposed His witnesses and rejected His truth. This highlights the severe consequences of defying God's authority and serves as a significant event in the apocalyptic narrative.
  • Partial Destruction and Warning: The falling of "the tenth part of the city" and the slaying of "seven thousand" (a symbolic number indicating completeness or a significant portion) show that the judgment is precise and impactful, yet not total annihilation. It serves as a stark warning to the survivors, intended to prompt a change of heart.
  • Fear and Acknowledgment of God: The phrase "the remnant were affrighted, and gave glory to the God of heaven" is profoundly significant. Unlike other instances in Revelation where people refuse to repent and instead blaspheme God (Revelation 16:9), here, a portion of the survivors are terrified into acknowledging God's sovereignty. While this might not be full repentance leading to salvation, it is an acknowledgment of His power and authority, a glimmer of hope amidst widespread rebellion.
  • God's Sovereignty: This event powerfully underscores God's absolute control over earthly events, demonstrating that He orchestrates even the most catastrophic occurrences to fulfill His purposes and bring about justice. It reinforces the theme that no earthly power can ultimately thwart His plans.

Linguistic Insights

The phrase "gave glory to the God of heaven" (KJV) uses the Greek word didōmi doxan (δίδωμι δόξαν), which literally means "to give glory" or "to render praise." In this context, it signifies a forced acknowledgment of God's majesty and power, often compelled by overwhelming divine display, rather than a willing act of worship. The title "God of heaven" emphasizes His supreme position and authority over all earthly powers and inhabitants, a common designation in Old Testament prophetic books (e.g., Daniel 2:18), fitting for a book dealing with cosmic judgment and the establishment of His kingdom.

Practical Application

Revelation 11:13 serves as a powerful reminder of God's ultimate justice and His unwavering commitment to upholding His truth. Even in times of great tribulation and widespread rejection, God acts decisively. For believers, this verse offers assurance that God is in control and will ultimately vindicate His servants and His word. It reminds us that even when evil seems to triumph, God's plan is unfolding. For those who do not believe, it is a sober warning that God's judgments are real and will elicit a response, whether it be forced acknowledgment or genuine repentance. It calls us to consider our own response to God's warnings and His clear demonstrations of power today, urging us towards a willing and heartfelt surrender rather than a forced acknowledgment under duress.

Note: If the commentary doesn’t appear instantly, please allow 2–5 seconds for it to load. It is generated by Gemini 2.5 Flash (May 20, 2025) using a prompt focused on Biblical fidelity over bias. While the insights have been consistently reliable, we encourage prayerful discernment through the Holy Spirit.

Please note that only the commentary section is AI-generated — the main Scripture and cross-references are stored on the site and are from trusted and verified sources.

Cross-References

  • Revelation 14:7 (8 votes)

    Saying with a loud voice, Fear God, and give glory to him; for the hour of his judgment is come: and worship him that made heaven, and earth, and the sea, and the fountains of waters.

  • Revelation 6:12 (6 votes)

    And I beheld when he had opened the sixth seal, and, lo, there was a great earthquake; and the sun became black as sackcloth of hair, and the moon became as blood;

  • Joshua 7:19 (5 votes)

    And Joshua said unto Achan, My son, give, I pray thee, glory to the LORD God of Israel, and make confession unto him; and tell me now what thou hast done; hide [it] not from me.

  • Revelation 11:11 (4 votes)

    And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and great fear fell upon them which saw them.

  • Revelation 16:18 (4 votes)

    And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were upon the earth, so mighty an earthquake, [and] so great.

  • Revelation 16:19 (4 votes)

    And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in remembrance before God, to give unto her the cup of the wine of the fierceness of his wrath.

  • Revelation 11:19 (4 votes)

    And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were lightnings, and voices, and thunderings, and an earthquake, and great hail.