“Cannot Buy or Sell”
Revelation 13:17 says, “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.”
Since we are being taught that this is speaking of a future event, all kinds of false images and scenarios have arisen to cause anxiety in those seeking the holy truth.
We were taught that we needed to stock up on food and supplies before Satan/Antichrist gets here (although Satan has been in power since Christ ascended) because we won’t be able to purchase them without his mark. We also have been advised to get some precious metals to barter for goods. Proverbs tells us that the only gold and silver we should be getting is wisdom and knowledge.
We, too, were caught up in this teaching until we read Proverbs 23: 23.
Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
Such peace flooded our souls and washed away the worry about how we would obtain food, medicine and other necessities! We realized that God is telling us that only the images of truth, created by man, are being bought and sold. We know how difficult it has been to get or give wisdom, instruction and understanding to or from our religious leaders. When we try to “buy” (obtain) understanding and wisdom today we are attacked by those who have the mark, name (nature), and number (army/followers) of the beast (Mankind's religious teachings). This is the spiritual war in which we are involved, Ephesians 6: 12. Praise God, We Win!!!!
World economic times have and always will affect the supply of necessities, but God knows what we have need of and will supply all our needs through Christ! We, as our Father's servants, should be more concerned about "buying and selling" (spreading and sharing freely) His Truth!
When we are told we cannot buy (obtain) or sell (distribute) the hidden TRUTH… it is because it does not confer with the images (teachings) of the beast (man's religious system). The established religions of the world will condemn teachings they do not already accept. Not to liken ourselves to Jesus Christ, although we are His followers, He was crucified for teaching ideas (selling) that were different from the traditional teachings of the Sanhedrin. Please remember, His teachings did agree with the scriptures, because He fulfilled the scriptures.