Revelation 11:13Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Perhaps then an earthquake will occur visibly as well. But in the spiritual sense, we think this signifies the passage of the wavering into constancy and firmness. The fall of the tenth part of the city signifies the fall of impiety, which was not corrected by the ascension of the prophets, while some will be saved. The seven thousand who perish indicate those attached to the time of the present life, measured by the number of seven days, who do not await the eighth, the resurrection. They will be slain in fiery Gehenna by eternal torment, the second death. But perhaps these are also seven thousand Jews who will submit to and believe in the antichrist. After the punishment of the impious and the glorification of the martyrs for Christ, those counted worthy of salvation will praise God.

Sorrow is no longer sorrow once it has passed. The very thing that very often seems to cast us down is what raises us up. Misfortune seems heavy to us only while it continues. Yet though its time may be grievous, the consequences of endured trials are saving for the soul.