Revelation 9:20
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues still did not repent of the works of their hands. They did not stop worshiping demons and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood, which cannot see or hear or walk.
Now the rest of mankind who were not killed by these plagues
This phrase refers to the survivors of the catastrophic events described earlier in Revelation 9, specifically the plagues unleashed by the sixth trumpet. These plagues are part of a series of divine judgments meant to lead humanity to repentance. The context is apocalyptic, with imagery that echoes the plagues of Egypt in Exodus, serving as a divine warning. The "rest of mankind" indicates a significant portion of humanity that remains after a period of intense suffering and death.

still did not repent of the works of their hands
Despite witnessing the severity of God's judgments, the survivors persist in their sinful behaviors. "The works of their hands" is a biblical idiom often used to describe idolatry and the creation of idols (e.g., Isaiah 2:8, Jeremiah 1:16). This phrase underscores the stubbornness and hardness of human hearts, a recurring theme in Scripture where people refuse to turn away from sin even in the face of divine intervention.

They did not stop worshiping demons
This highlights the spiritual blindness and deception prevalent among the people. Worshiping demons suggests a deeper spiritual rebellion against God, aligning with the forces of evil. In 1 Corinthians 10:20, Paul warns that sacrifices to idols are, in fact, sacrifices to demons. This connection emphasizes the spiritual warfare aspect of idolatry and the influence of demonic forces in leading people away from God.

and idols of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood
The mention of materials used for idols reflects the ancient practice of crafting physical representations of deities. These materials are often associated with wealth and status, indicating that idolatry is not only a spiritual issue but also tied to materialism and human pride. The prophets frequently condemned such practices (e.g., Isaiah 44:9-20, Jeremiah 10:3-5), highlighting the futility of worshiping man-made objects.

which cannot see or hear or walk
This phrase underscores the impotence and lifelessness of idols, contrasting them with the living God who sees, hears, and acts. The futility of idol worship is a common biblical theme, as seen in Psalm 115:4-7 and Isaiah 46:6-7. These passages mock the idea that inanimate objects could possess divine attributes or offer any real help, emphasizing the foolishness of turning away from the true God.

Persons / Places / Events
1. Mankind
Refers to the people on earth who survived the plagues described in Revelation 9. Despite witnessing these catastrophic events, they remain unrepentant.

2. Plagues
Catastrophic events or judgments sent by God as part of the end-times tribulations. These are meant to lead people to repentance, yet many remain hardened.

3. Demons and Idols
Represents false gods and spiritual entities that people worship instead of the one true God. Idols are described as lifeless objects made of gold, silver, bronze, stone, and wood.
Teaching Points
The Hardness of the Human Heart
Despite witnessing divine judgment, the human heart can remain unrepentant. This calls for self-examination and a softening of our hearts towards God’s truth.

The Futility of Idolatry
Idols, whether physical or metaphorical, cannot provide salvation or true fulfillment. Believers are called to worship God alone, who is living and active.

Call to Repentance
The passage serves as a warning and a call to repentance. It reminds us of the importance of turning away from sin and towards God before it is too late.

Spiritual Warfare
Recognizing the influence of demonic forces in leading people away from God highlights the need for spiritual vigilance and reliance on God’s power.

Endurance in Faith
In times of trial and judgment, believers are encouraged to remain steadfast in their faith, trusting in God’s ultimate plan and justice.
Bible Study Questions
1. What does the persistence of idolatry in Revelation 9:20 reveal about the nature of sin and the human heart?

2. How can we identify and remove modern-day idols in our lives that may not be as obvious as those described in the passage?

3. In what ways does the call to repentance in Revelation 9:20 apply to both believers and non-believers today?

4. How can understanding the spiritual warfare described in Revelation 9:20 help us in our daily walk with Christ?

5. What lessons can we learn from the Israelites' idolatry in Exodus 32 that apply to the warnings in Revelation 9:20?
Connections to Other Scriptures
Exodus 32
The worship of the golden calf by the Israelites parallels the idolatry mentioned in Revelation 9:20, showing a historical pattern of turning away from God.

Psalm 115:4-8
This passage describes idols as having mouths but not speaking, eyes but not seeing, similar to the description in Revelation 9:20, emphasizing their powerlessness.

Romans 1:21-23
Paul discusses humanity's tendency to exchange the glory of God for images resembling mortal man and animals, which aligns with the idolatry mentioned in Revelation.
The Inefficiency of Judgments to Lead All to RepentanceR. Green Revelation 9:12-21
ImpenitenceF. D. Maurice, M. A.Revelation 9:13-21
Man's Stubborn WillS. Conway, B. A.Revelation 9:13-21
The Sixth TrumpetJ. A. Seiss, D. D.Revelation 9:13-21
People
Abaddon, Apollyon, John
Places
Euphrates River, Patmos
Topics
Able, Bow, Brass, Brazen, Bronze, Cease, Death, Demons, Devils, Didn't, Either, Evil, Evils, Giving, Gold, Golden, Hands, Hearing, Idols, Images, Killed, Leave, Mankind, Move, Plagues, Power, Reform, Repent, Repented, Rest, Seeing, Silver, Spirits, Stone, Stop, Walk, Walking, Wood, Wooden, Works, Worship, Worshiping, Worshipping, Wouldn't, Yet
Dictionary of Bible Themes
Revelation 9:20

     4131   demons, kinds of
     4132   demons, malevolence
     4312   bronze
     4333   gold
     4363   silver
     4366   stones
     4552   wood
     5147   deafness
     8710   atheism
     8770   idolatry, in NT

Revelation 9:20-21

     4019   life, believers' experience
     5561   suffering, nature of
     6195   impenitence, results
     6734   repentance, importance
     8748   false religion
     8829   superstition

Library
Another Part of My Smoke' which You Frequently Laugh at is My Pretence
31. Another part of my smoke' which you frequently laugh at is my pretence, as you say, to know what I do not know, and the parade I make of great teachers to deceive the common and ignorant people. You, of course, are a man not of smoke but of flame, or rather of lightning; you fulminate when you speak; you cannot contain the flames which have been conceived within your mouth, and like Barchochebas, the leader of the revolt of the Jews, who used to hold in his mouth a lighted straw and blow it out
Various—Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.

The Comforts Belonging to Mourners
Having already presented to your view the dark side of the text, I shall now show you the light side, They shall be comforted'. Where observe: 1 Mourning goes before comfort as the lancing of a wound precedes the cure. The Antinomian talks of comfort, but cries down mourning for sin. He is like a foolish patient who, having a pill prescribed him, licks the sugar but throws away the pill. The libertine is all for joy and comfort. He licks the sugar but throws away the bitter pill of repentance. If
Thomas Watson—The Beatitudes: An Exposition of Matthew 5:1-12

Jesus Heals Two Gergesene Demoniacs.
(Gergesa, Now Called Khersa.) ^A Matt. VIII. 28-34; IX. 1; ^B Mark V. 1-21; ^C Luke VIII. 26-40. ^b 1 And they came to the other side of the sea [They left in the "even," an elastic expression. If they left in the middle of the afternoon and were driven forward by the storm, they would have reached the far shore several hours before dark], ^c 26 And they arrived at the country of the Gerasenes, which is over against Galilee. ^a 28 And when he was come into the country of the Gadarenes. ^c 27 And
J. W. McGarvey—The Four-Fold Gospel

Thyatira
In the Epistle to Thyatira we have the reference to another and more intensified form of idolatry as developed and established in the days of Ahab, king of Israel; another who, like Balaam, "made Israel to sin" (1 Kings xvi. 30). Ahab was the first king who officially introduced and organised he most abominable form of heathen idolatry that the human mind ever conceived (1 Kings xvi. 33). See Revised Version, where the special significance of this abomination is conveyed and contained in the word
E.W. Bullinger—Commentary on Revelation

Triumph Over Death and the Grave
O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin: and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, who gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. T he Christian soldier may with the greatest propriety, be said to war a good warfare (I Timothy 1:18) . He is engaged in a good cause. He fights under the eye of the Captain of his salvation. Though he be weak in himself, and though his enemies are many and mighty, he may do that which in other soldiers
John Newton—Messiah Vol. 2

The Eternity of God
The next attribute is, God is eternal.' Psa 90:0. From everlasting to everlasting thou art God.' The schoolmen distinguish between aevun et aeternum, to explain the notion of eternity. There is a threefold being. I. Such as had a beginning; and shall have an end; as all sensitive creatures, the beasts, fowls, fishes, which at death are destroyed and return to dust; their being ends with their life. 2. Such as had a beginning, but shall have no end, as angels and the souls of men, which are eternal
Thomas Watson—A Body of Divinity

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