Many at first appeared to receive the warning; yet they did not turn to God with true repentance. They were unwilling to renounce their sins. During the time that elapsed before the coming of the Flood, their faith was tested, and they failed to endure the trial. Overcome by the prevailing unbelief, they finally joined their former associates in rejecting the solemn message. Some were deeply convicted, and would have heeded the words of warning; but there were so many to jest and ridicule, that they partook of the same spirit, resisted the invitations of mercy, and were soon among the boldest and most defiant scoffers; for none are so reckless and go to such lengths in sin as do those who have once had light, but have resisted the convicting Spirit of God.

Mange syntes til at begynde med at tage imod advarslen, men de omvendte sig ikke til Gud med sand anger. De var uvillige til at afstå fra deres synder. I den tid, der gik, før syndfloden kom, blev deres tro sat på prøve, men de bestod den ikke. De blev overvundet af den almindelige vantro og sluttede sig til sidst til deres tidligere omgangskreds og forkastede det alvorlige budskab. Nogle var fuldt overbevist og ville gerne have rettet sig efter advarselsordene; men der var så mange, der spøgte og gjorde nar, at de blev præget af den samme ånd og modstod nådens indbydelser, og snart var de blandt de dristigste og mest udfordrende spottere; for der er ingen, der er så ligegyldige og går så vidt i synd, som de, der engang har haft lyset, men har modstået Guds Ånds påvirkning.