Teacher’s Choice – “No Man Can Buy or Sell Unless They Have the Mark”

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Teacher’s Choice Study

No Man Can Buy or Sell Unless They Have the Mark

[Study Aired August 26, 2019]

The following is a discussion started on our email list.

First we will look at the spiritual significance of this verse.

The following is from the study titled “Revelation 13:14-18” from the website. Here is the link to the full study: http://www.iswasandwillbe.com/rev-13_14_18/

Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

The mark, name, number and image of our beast are one and all associated with our knowledge of, and faith in, the doctrines of the great red dragon who is the father of the beast within us. We are even told that when we worship the beast, we are actually worshiping the dragon.

Rev 13:4  And they worshipped the dragon which gave power unto the beast: and they worshipped the beast, saying, Who is like unto the beast? who is able to make war with him?

We have all had the name, number, mark and image of the beast which are all one package. Notice how that is demonstrated in these two verses:

Rev 14:11  And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name.

Rev 15:2  And I saw as it were a sea of glass mingled with fire: and them that had gotten the victory over the beast, and over his image, and over his mark, [and] over the number of his name, stand on the sea of glass, having the harps of God.

So the “mark of the beast” and the “number of the beast” are both demonstrations of “his name”. The name of the beast has no more to do with whether it is Lucifer or Beelzebub, than the blaspheming of God’s name has to do with how His name is pronounced. The ‘name’ of the beast, like the name of God, has only to do with what others see in us while we all claim to be of Christ. That is what Christ meant when He made this statement:

Luk 6:46  And why call ye me, Lord, Lord, and do not the things which I say?

That is what Paul meant when he said this:

Rom 2:22 Thou that sayest a man should not commit adultery, dost thou commit adultery? thou that abhorrest idols, dost thou commit sacrilege?
Rom 2:23 Thou that makest thy boast of the law, through breaking the law dishonourest thou God?
Rom 2:24 For the name of God is blasphemed among the Gentiles through you, as it is written.

The word ‘name’ in scripture has nothing at all to do with whether God’s name is pronounced with a Y or a J, or whether it is pronounced at all. God wants His “good name” to be respected by how we live our lives in obedience to the “things He says”. That is the meaning of “a good name”.

Pro 22:1 A good name is rather to be chosen than great riches, and loving favour rather than silver and gold.

Ecc 7:1 A good name is better than precious ointment; and the day of death than the day of one’s birth.

The image, number, mark and name of the beast, like the name of God, is recognized as being upon us by the life we are living. When we tremble at God’s Word, we will never blaspheme His name, and we will always do the things He says to do. When we fail to do that, then we automatically blaspheme God and those that dwell in heaven, and we demonstrate that we have the image, name, number and mark of the beast.

The “two horns like a lamb” of the beast that comes up out of the earth, tells us that this part of our self-centered beastly progression is cloaked in a religious experience. Another symbol of this part of the “things that are all ours” is the great harlot of Rev 17-18.

Rev 18:1  And after these things I saw another angel come down from heaven, having great power; and the earth was lightened with his glory.
Rev 18:2  And he cried mightily with a strong voice, saying, Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and the hold of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.
Rev 18:3  For all nations have drunk of the wine of the wrath of her fornication, and the kings of the earth have committed fornication with her, and the merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies.
Rev 18:4  And I heard another voice from heaven, saying, Come out of her, my people, that ye be not partakers of her sins, and that ye receive not of her plagues.

“The merchants of the earth are waxed rich through the abundance of her delicacies… Come out of her my people…” It is by coming out of Babylon that God’s people are considered to be “the smell of death” to those who are in Babylon, and it is by coming out of Babylon that we can no longer “buy or sell” her merchandise. While we are in Babylon, our beast with two horns causes us to prosper in the sales of her goods. However, when we leave “that great city”, we have “gotten the victory over the image, name, number and mark of the beast. When we “come out of Babylon”, we deny that we have a will that is free from the will of God, and in doing that we are destroying “the beast with two horns like a lamb, who speaks as a dragon”, who is the same as the “man of sin, the son of perdition” who sits in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God”.

Rev 13:11  And I beheld another beast coming up out of the earth; and he had two horns like a lamb, and he spake as a dragon.
Rev 13:12  And he exerciseth all the power of the first beast before him, and causeth the earth and them which dwell therein to worship the first beast, whose deadly wound was healed.
Rev 13:13  And he doeth great wonders, so that he maketh fire come down from heaven on the earth in the sight of men,
Rev 13:14  And deceiveth them that dwell on the earth by the means of those miracles which he had power to do in the sight of the beast; saying to them that dwell on the earth, that they should make an image to the beast, which had the wound by a sword, and did live.
Rev 13:15  And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast, that the image of the beast should both speak, and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.

2Th 2:3  Let no man deceive you by any means: for [that day shall not come], except there come a falling away first, and that man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition;
2Th 2:4  Who opposeth and exalteth himself above all that is called God, or that is worshipped; so that he as God sitteth in the temple of God, shewing himself that he is God.
2Th 2:5  Remember ye not, that, when I was yet with you, I told you these things?

The “worship of the image of the beast” of Rev 13:15, and the worship of oneself “sitting in the temple of God, showing himself that he is God” is one and the same spiritual fornication and adultery in which we all indulge, at that time and place in our progression.

Put another way, our beast with two horns like a lamb, speaking as a dragon, is the same as our man of sin, who sits in the temple which we are, and demands our unwavering self-serving worship, of doing what we want to do and seeking just what is permissible to please ourselves, instead of seeking what is commendable to please the incoming king who destroys our two-horned lamb and our man of sin within us in “the day of Christ”.

2Th 2:1  Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,
2Th 2:2  That ye be not soon shaken in mind, or be troubled, neither by spirit, nor by word, nor by letter as from us, as that the day of Christ is at hand.

The gold, silver and precious stones of God are His doctrines, His thoughts and His mind.

Rev 3:13  He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches.
Rev 3:14  And unto the angel of the church of the Laodiceans write; These things saith the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of the creation of God;
Rev 3:15  I know thy works, that thou art neither cold nor hot: I would thou wert cold or hot.
Rev 3:16  So then because thou art lukewarm, and neither cold nor hot, I will spue thee out of my mouth.
Rev 3:17 Because thou sayest, I am rich, and increased with goods, and have need of nothing; and knowest not that thou art wretched, and miserable, and poor, and blind, and naked:
Rev 3:18  I counsel thee to buy of me gold tried in the fire, that thou mayest be rich; and white raiment, that thou mayest be clothed, and that the shame of thy nakedness do not appear; and anoint thine eyes with eyesalve, that thou mayest see.

Verse 17 describes the true worth of the merchandise of Babylon, while verse 18 contrasts Babylon’s merchandise with the true wealth of the “keeping of every word of God” (Mat 4:4), and the wealth of obeying His commandment to “keep the things written in this book” (Rev 1:3).

Rev 3:14-18 explains it all. What imparts to us the image of the beast is that which we value and which we so eagerly “buy and sell”. Just as our new man is “renewed in knowledge after the image of Christ”, so is our old man renewed in knowledge after the image of his father the devil. It is the doctrines, the thoughts and the mind of both God and the Adversary, which are also their gold, silver and precious stones, and it is the loss of all that “merchandise” which causes the death of both. We all choose the merchandise of Babylon and the worship of our own “man of sin”, first. But when Christ does come into our hearts and minds, all the delicacies of Babylon suddenly are seen for their true worthlessness, and our “man of sin” we have served for so long begins to be destroyed by the brightness of the coming of Christ into our hearts and minds to claim His rightful place on the throne of our hearts.

Col 3:10  And have put on the new man, which is renewed in knowledge after the image of him that created him:

2Th 2:8  And then shall that Wicked be revealed, whom the Lord shall consume with the spirit of his mouth, and shall destroy with the brightness of his coming:

Rev 18:10  Standing afar off for the fear of her torment, saying, Alas, alas, that great city Babylon, that mighty city! for in one hour is thy judgment come.
Rev 18:11  And the merchants of the earth shall weep and mourn over her; for no man buyeth their merchandise any more:
Rev 18:12  The merchandise of gold, and silver, and precious stones and of pearls, and fine linen, and purple, and silk, and scarlet, and all thyine wood, and all manner vessels of ivory, and all manner vessels of most precious wood, and of brass, and iron, and marble,

2Th 2:8, Rev 18:10-12, and Rev 3:17-18, are all one and the same event.

Ecc 9:2  All things come alike to all: there is one event to the righteous, and to the wicked; to the good and to the clean, and to the unclean; to him that sacrificeth, and to him that sacrificeth not: as is the good, so is the sinner; and he that sweareth, as he that feareth an oath.

Here again is that “one event”.

Rev 13:17  And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

The above verse is the explanation of the spiritual and what is kept inwardly which is acknowledged in this statement.

Now let’s explore further to see if this could be the beginning and a new meaning of the outward fulfillment of Rev 13:17 “And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.”

We need to remind ourselves with the following admonition from Paul.

1Co 3:1  And I, brethren, could not speak unto you as unto spiritual, but as unto carnal, even as unto babes in Christ.
1Co 3:2  I have fed you with milk, and not with meat: for hitherto ye were not able to bear it, neither yet now are ye able.
1Co 3:3  For ye are yet carnal: for whereas there is among you envying, and strife, and divisions, are ye not carnal, and walk as men?
1Co 3:4  For while one saith, I am of Paul; and another, I am of Apollos; are ye not carnal?
1Co 3:5  Who then is Paul, and who is Apollos, but ministers by whom ye believed, even as the Lord gave to every man?
1Co 3:6  I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase.
1Co 3:7  So then neither is he that planteth any thing, neither he that watereth; but God that giveth the increase.
1Co 3:8  Now he that planteth and he that watereth are one: and every man shall receive his own reward according to his own labour.
1Co 3:9  For we are labourers together with God: ye are God’s husbandry, ye are God’s building.
1Co 3:10  According to the grace of God which is given unto me, as a wise masterbuilder, I have laid the foundation, and another buildeth thereon. But let every man take heed how he buildeth thereupon.
1Co 3:11  For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ. 
1Co 3:12  Now if any man build upon this foundation gold, silver, precious stones, wood, hay, stubble; 
1Co 3:13  Every man’s work shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it, because it shall be revealed by fire; and the fire shall try every man’s work of what sort it is.
1Co 3:14  If any man’s work abide which he hath built thereupon, he shall receive a reward.
1Co 3:15  If any man’s work shall be burned, he shall suffer loss: but he himself shall be saved; yet so as by fire.
1Co 3:16  Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwelleth in you?
1Co 3:17  If any man defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.
1Co 3:18  Let no man deceive himself. If any man among you seemeth to be wise in this world, let him become a fool, that he may be wise. 
1Co 3:19  For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
1Co 3:20  And again, The Lord knoweth the thoughts of the wise, that they are vain.
1Co 3:21  Therefore let no man glory in men. For all things are yours;
1Co 3:22  Whether Paul, or Apollos, or Cephas, or the world, or life, or death, or things present, or things to come; all are yours;
1Co 3:23  And ye are Christ’s; and Christ is God’s.

If we follow Paul as he followed Christ, we can conclude that in Paul’s generation the ones that fulfilled Rev 13:17  (And that no man might buy or sell, save he that had the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name) are the following:

2Ti 1:15  This thou knowest, that all they which are in Asia be turned away from me; of whom are Phygellus and Hermogenes.

Those who turned away are the ones that “can buy and sell” the lies of Babylon because they have the mark, or the name of the beast, or the number of his name.

We all experience this, as the study above mentioned. Lord willing, we continue onto perfection because we are given the following, and we will also give this to all mankind eventually.

1Co 2:12  Now we have received, not the spirit of the world, but the spirit which is of God; that we might know the things that are freely given to us of God.

Rev 21:5  And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.
Rev 21:6  And he said unto me, It is done. I am Alpha and Omega, the beginning and the end. I will give unto him that is athirst of the fountain of the water of life freely. 
Rev 21:7  He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son.

Mat 10:8  Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

As in Paul’s generation there are those forsaking us as we have experienced in our fellowship. They cannot receive what is freely given to us and must buy and sell what the Harlot has to offer.

Rev 17:4  And the woman was arrayed in purple and scarlet colour, and decked with gold and precious stones and pearls, having a golden cup in her hand full of abominations and filthiness of her fornication:
Rev 17:5  And upon her forehead was a name written, MYSTERY, BABYLON THE GREAT, THE MOTHER OF HARLOTS AND ABOMINATIONS OF THE EARTH.

This will continue until all is fulfilled in this age.

So, what are we to do as we become subject to the happenings of the article which was shared?

This is what we do being ambassadors of Christ.

Act 5:29  Then Peter and the other apostles answered and said, We ought to obey God rather than men. 

Rom 13:1  Let every soul be subject unto the higher powers. For there is no power but of God: the powers that be are ordained of God.
Rom 13:2  Whosoever therefore resisteth the power, resisteth the ordinance of God: and they that resist shall receive to themselves damnation.
Rom 13:3  For rulers are not a terror to good works, but to the evil. Wilt thou then not be afraid of the power? do that which is good, and thou shalt have praise of the same:
Rom 13:4  For he is the minister of God to thee for good. But if thou do that which is evil, be afraid; for he beareth not the sword in vain: for he is the minister of God, a revenger to execute wrath upon him that doeth evil.
Rom 13:5  Wherefore ye must needs be subject, not only for wrath, but also for conscience sake.
Rom 13:6  For for this cause pay ye tribute also: for they are God’s ministers, attending continually upon this very thing.
Rom 13:7  Render therefore to all their dues: tribute to whom tribute is due; custom to whom custom; fear to whom fear; honour to whom honour.

Tit 3:1  Put them in mind to be subject to principalities and powers, to obey magistrates, to be ready to every good work,
Tit 3:2  To speak evil of no man, to be no brawlers, but gentle, shewing all meekness unto all men.
Tit 3:3  For we ourselves also were sometimes foolish, disobedient, deceived, serving divers lusts and pleasures, living in malice and envy, hateful, and hating one another.
Tit 3:4  But after that the kindness and love of God our Saviour toward man appeared,
Tit 3:5  Not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost;
Tit 3:6  Which he shed on us abundantly through Jesus Christ our Saviour;
Tit 3:7  That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life.
Tit 3:8  This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men. 
Tit 3:9  But avoid foolish questions, and genealogies, and contentions, and strivings about the law; for they are unprofitable and vain.
Tit 3:10  A man that is an heretick after the first and second admonition reject;
Tit 3:11  Knowing that he that is such is subverted, and sinneth, being condemned of himself.

In conclusion, we should not seek after the outward appearance of things that are in the world or yet to come.

1Sa 16:7  But the LORD said unto Samuel, Look not on his countenance, or on the height of his stature; because I have refused him: for the LORD seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the LORD looketh on the heart.

We are given a higher calling.

Mat 6:33  But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you.
Mat 6:34  Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.

As these things continue to invade “our freedom” realize what our true freedom is.

Gal 5:1  Stand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage.

Gal 5:13  For, brethren, ye have been called unto liberty; only use not liberty for an occasion to the flesh, but by love serve one another.
Gal 5:14  For all the law is fulfilled in one word, even in this; Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.

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