Why is a great earthquake in Jerusalem historically plausible?
Jerusalem and especially the Jordan Valley, Dead Sea, and Sea of Galilee sit right on a tremendous fault line, and this is historical. That geographic setting makes a great earthquake in Jerusalem plausible. The area's fault line explains why such seismic activity could occur there.
Les explains that verse 13 places a great earthquake at the same hour, at the midpoint of the tribulation, when the two witnesses ascend. He reminds us that Jerusalem, especially the Jordan Valley, the Dead Sea, and the Sea of Galilee, sits right on a tremendous fault line, and this is historical. Because the region is located on that fault line, a great earthquake in Jerusalem is geographically plausible. He also frames these tribulation days as days of the supernatural, when God is not hiding His power.
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.