Revelation 11:13 Meaning and Explanation
“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.”
King James Version (KJV)
Read this verse in context with translation switching:
Read Full Chapter →The final clause makes this verse especially important. The earthquake is terrifying and destructive, yet the remnant responds by giving glory to God. John records judgment without allowing us to overlook the possibility that fear may awaken acknowledgment of heaven's God.
Following the witnesses' resurrection and ascension, a great earthquake brings grave loss in the city, while the frightened remnant gives glory to the God of heaven.
The Context of Revelation 11:13
After the beast kills the two witnesses, people from many nations look upon their bodies and celebrate their death. Revelation 11:11 says that the Spirit of life from God enters them, and verse 12 says they ascend to heaven in a cloud before their enemies. Verse 13 follows in the same hour with a great earthquake, the fall of a tenth of the city, and seven thousand deaths. The surviving remnant is frightened and gives glory to God. Verse 14 closes the second woe, and the seventh trumpet soon declares the reign of the Lord and his Christ.
What Does Revelation 11:13 Mean?
John joins several events in "the same hour": the witnesses' vindication, a great earthquake, the fall of a tenth part of the city, many deaths, and the response of the remnant. The numbers are presented as part of the vision's solemn account. We should resist treating them casually or claiming certainty about details the chapter does not explain. The word "remnant" distinguishes survivors from those slain, and "affrighted" conveys their alarm before a manifestation of divine power. Their response is striking: they "gave glory to the God of heaven." In a chapter where many rejoice at the death of prophets, this acknowledgment marks a decisive change in the scene.
The earthquake belongs to Revelation's recurring portrayal of God's majesty and judgment. It comes after the enemies behold the witnesses' ascent, making clear that their death did not settle the conflict. The city had been described spiritually as Sodom and Egypt, names that evoke grave corruption and oppression. Yet verse 13 does not say that every survivor responds identically or explain the full depth of their response. It says they gave glory to the God of heaven. That wording directs attention away from the beast, the crowd, and the city toward the God whose authority has been publicly displayed. The following trumpet enlarges that horizon to the kingdoms of the world.
The chapter connects this event to Christ through the witnesses' resurrection-like raising and ascent immediately before it. Their enemies see God's life overcome their death, and the earthquake becomes part of the public aftermath. Jesus' crucifixion is explicitly recalled in verse 8, while the witnesses' later vindication points beyond the seeming finality of violence. The God of heaven receives glory in verse 13 because he is shown to be Lord over death, cities, hostile powers, and history. The verse therefore calls us to take divine holiness seriously while remembering that God's revealed power can turn a proud world's attention toward him.
Bible Verses Related to Revelation 11:13
“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 11:11
“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud; and their enemies beheld them.”
- Revelation 11:12
“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 16:18
“Who shall not fear thee, O Lord, and glorify thy name? for thou only art holy: for all nations shall come and worship before thee; for thy judgments are made manifest.”
- Revelation 15:4
Where Revelation 11:13 Echoes in Scripture
Revelation 16:18 offers a strong later echo through its description of a great earthquake within the climactic judgments. Both passages use earthquake imagery to portray God's overwhelming intervention in a rebellious world. Revelation 11:13 has its own emphasis, however: after the quake and loss, the remnant is afraid and gives glory to the God of heaven.
How to Apply Revelation 11:13 Today
This verse invites sober reverence before God rather than delight in disaster or in another person's downfall. We can grieve the deaths named in the vision and also recognize that God confronts evil with a holiness beyond human control. The remnant's response encourages honest acknowledgment when God's dealings expose our frailty, pride, or false security. In daily life, giving glory to God can include confession, gratitude, worship, and changed conduct after correction. It also includes praying for communities marked by violence and hardness of heart, that fear may become a true turning toward God.
Reflection & Prayer
When events expose how little control we have, where does our heart turn first? Ask God to make our reverence truthful and fruitful rather than momentary alarm. Pray: "God of heaven, receive our praise and search our hearts. Teach us to grieve evil, to humble ourselves before thy power, and to live in a way that gives thee glory."