Of all the things in this world that are stable and unshakeable, we think first of the ground under our feet. In Scripture, earthquakes are typically evidence of God’s presence (Exodus 19:18; Judges 5:4). In the face of sin and rebellion, God’s coming is judgmental in nature (Ezekiel 38:19). When Jesus died, the earth shook (Matthew 27:51), and when he arose there was “a great earthquake” (Matthew 28:2). Both instances indicate the presence of God. Now too the world in which the beast could roam and the nations could trample the saints was rocked to its foundation at the presence of the God whom they despised. Here is divine judgment on unbelief.
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.