What would it take for someone to truly turn to God?
Key Verse:
“The rest of mankind… did not repent of the works of their hands…” —Revelation 9:20 NASB
Background Context:
In Revelation 9:1–12, the fifth trumpet brings intense torment upon those without God’s seal, showing a shift from environmental judgment to direct human suffering.
Now in Revelation 9:13–21, the sixth trumpet sounds, bringing even greater devastation. Yet the most striking part of this passage is not just the judgment—but the response of the people.
(Continued and expanded after scripture.)
The Sixth Trumpet—Army from the East
13Then the sixth angel sounded, and I heard a voice from the four horns of the golden altar which is before God, 14one saying to the sixth angel who had the trumpet, “Release the four angels who are bound at the great river Euphrates.” 15And the four angels, who had been prepared for the hour and day and month and year, were released, so that they would kill a third of mankind. 16The number of the armies of the horsemen was two hundred million; I heard the number of them. 17And this is how I saw in the vision the horses and those who sat on them: the riders had breastplates the color of fire and of hyacinth and of brimstone; and the heads of the horses are like the heads of lions; and out of their mouths proceed fire and smoke and brimstone. 18A third of mankind was killed by these three plagues, by the fire and the smoke and the brimstone which proceeded out of their mouths. 19For the power of the horses is in their mouths and in their tails; for their tails are like serpents and have heads, and with them they do harm.
20The rest of mankind, who were not killed by these plagues, did not repent of the works of their hands, so as not to worship demons, and the idols of gold and of silver and of brass and of stone and of wood, which can neither see nor hear nor walk; 21and they did not repent of their murders nor of their sorceries nor of their immorality nor of their thefts.
Reflection on Revelation 9:13–21:
When the sixth trumpet sounds, a voice comes from the altar before God, and four angels are released—angels who have been prepared for this exact moment.
This reminds us again:
Nothing is random.
Nothing is out of control.
Even the timing of judgment is precise and purposeful.
These angels are released to lead an army of unimaginable size—two hundred million. The imagery that follows is overwhelming: fire, smoke, and brimstone proceed from them, bringing destruction to a third of mankind.
This is an escalation beyond anything we have seen so far.
The scale is massive.
The impact is undeniable.
Yet the most sobering part of this passage is not the judgment itself—it is the response.
“The rest of mankind… did not repent.”
Despite everything:
- the warnings
- the suffering
- the clear demonstration of God’s power
People still refuse to turn to Him.
Instead, they continue in the same patterns:
- idolatry
- worship of false things
- immoral living
- violence
- deception
This reveals something deeply important.
The problem is not lack of evidence.
The problem is the heart.
Just as we saw with Pharaoh in Exodus, people can witness powerful demonstrations of God and still refuse to submit. Hardness of heart is not broken by intensity of circumstances alone.
This passage challenges a common belief:
“If things got bad enough, people would turn to God.”
But Scripture shows that this is not necessarily true.
Without a willing heart, even the clearest warnings can be ignored.
This is why repentance is not just about reacting to circumstances—it is about a change of heart and direction.
God has been:
- revealing Himself
- giving warnings
- showing restraint
- providing opportunities to respond
Yet many continue to choose their own way.
This is both sobering and instructive.
It reminds us that we should not wait for circumstances to force change. The longer a heart resists, the more fixed it can become.
For us, this passage is a call to examine our own response.
Are we responding to God now?
Or are we delaying, assuming there will always be another opportunity?
God’s patience is real—but it is not endless.
He calls us to respond while there is still time.
Application:
- Do not wait for circumstances to force you to turn to God.
- Recognize that hardness of heart can persist even in severe situations.
- Examine areas where you may be resisting God’s truth.
- Turn from anything that draws you away from Him.
- Respond to God’s call with humility and repentance now.
Closing Prayer:
Father, help me to have a soft and responsive heart toward You. Keep me from resisting Your truth or delaying my response. Reveal anything in my life that needs to change, and give me the strength to turn fully to You. Thank You for Your patience and Your mercy. In Yeshua’s name, Amen.
May the grace and peace of our Lord, Yeshua, be with you.
John Golda
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