Buy or sell?

[InSpiritInTruth]

In Revelation 13:17 we read; “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.” As I’ve noted in other studies I believe the mark of the beast is a spiritual inward mark (heart and mind of the beast) which speaks of the firstborn carnally minded man. But what of the meaning of buying and selling, and just what are they buying and selling?

In Proverbs 23:23 it is written “Buy the truth, and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.” Jesus said in Revelation 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.”

We know Jesus wasn’t actually selling literal gold for others to buy, but rather this verse is symbolic just as Revelation 13:17 also speaks of spiritual things like the buying and selling of knowledge and understanding. We know by scripture that Godly knowledge is given to us freely like a gift when we receive the Holy Spirit.

Romans 8:32; “He that spared not his own Son, but delivered him up for us all, how shall he not with him also freely give us all things? 1 Corinthians 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.”

Just as we also receive the knowledge of the Truth by way of the Holy Spirit. John 16:13; “Howbeit when he, the Spirit of truth, is come, he will guide you into all truth: for he shall not speak of himself; but whatsoever he shall hear, that shall he speak: and he will show you things to come.

The Holy Spirit is like the anointing oil of the Lord, which lightens our way in an evil and darkened world. Which brings us to another clue to solve this mystery of buying and selling as seen here in the 5 wise, and 5 foolish virgins in Matthew 25:9; “But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.”

Notice it was the wise virgins that took oil in their vessels to lighten their lamps, but the lamps of the foolish went out because of the lack of oil. Here we see the connection between the wisdom which only comes from God by His Holy Spirit (anointing oil) and the earthly wisdom of the world (which is truly foolishness).
1 Corinthians 1:20; “Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world?1 Corinthians 3:19; “For the wisdom of this world is foolishness with God. For it is written, He taketh the wise in their own craftiness.
And was it not because they did not seek wisdom from the Lord of Light by faith?

James 1:5; “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:6; “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed.”

So will you go to them that teach the doctrines of men, who also buy and sell their wisdom as the truth, even as Judas also sold out the Word of Truth and Life in Jesus Christ for greedy gain? Or will you rather seek the knowledge of the Truth, and wisdom that is freely given to you from the Father of Light from heaven above?

James 1:17; “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above, and cometh down from the Father of lights, with whom is no variableness, neither shadow of turning.”

 

[x141]

To be a son of God is not of gain, God does not labor to be. You can not ascend unless you have first descended ...

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

We cannot ascend into heaven, unless the Spirit of God's Son first decends upon us from heaven.

John 3:13 And no man hath ascended up to heaven, but he that came down from heaven, even the Son of man which is in heaven.

John 6:62
What and if ye shall see the Son of man ascend up where he was before?

By being made a new man in Him, we also shall be lifted up.

 

[x141]

No more steps to the latter ... no death in the path ...

 

[A New Day]

i asked something and someone participated but he ended his post and he said that he hopes that i'm not writing a paper or asking for someone else to write it for me, i had to swear that i was not.

anyway i don't understand why some copyright to oneself their works when it is the word of god and their wisdom to understand or to explain the word is from god, don't they know that they sell god and they sell him short.
i see that it is not something new
2 Corinthians 2:17 Unlike many people, we aren’t selling God’s word to make money. In fact, it is just the opposite. Because of Christ we speak honestly before God....
John 2:16 ...Take these things away! Do not make My Father’s house a house of merchandise = Psalm 69:9 Because zeal for Your house has eaten me up, And the reproaches of those who reproach You have fallen on me.

Matthew 10:27 Whatever I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; and what you hear in the ear, preach on the housetops.

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

The Lord showed in Revelation that the great men of this world would be the merchants of the world. Just as the early church was also warned of being made merchandise of by false shepherds.

Paul said he preached the gospel without charge.

1 Corinthians 9:18
What is my reward then? Verily that, when I preach the gospel, I may make the gospel of Christ without charge, that I abuse not my power in the gospel.

Many have used the gospel for their own profit and gain, and also made merchandise of those who followed after their deception.

 

[A New Day]

i like to add the passover supper. Luke 22:35 Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don’t own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one.

but Jesus told them in Matthew 10:9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

could it be that after that Jesus will leave them that they can sell the word of God for money? i thought about it for a moment but 2 Corinthians 2:17 says that they didn't, so what i think is that the wallet in Luke 22 means that the money will be a necessity since they will have to travel and they will have many difficulties and they have to be prepared for everything in their life to come, and i remember that the disciples used to do a manual work for money thus what he told them, but i don't know in what verse, do you do?

 

[InSpiritInTruth]

i like to add the passover supper. Luke 22:35 Jesus said to them, “When I sent you out without a wallet, bag, or sandals, you didn’t lack anything, did you?” They said, “Nothing.” 36 Then he said to them, “But now, whoever has a wallet must take it, and likewise a bag. And those who don’t own a sword must sell their clothes and buy one.

but Jesus told them in Matthew 10:9 Provide neither gold nor silver nor copper in your money belts, 10 nor bag for your journey, nor two tunics, nor sandals, nor staffs; for a worker is worthy of his food.

could it be that after that Jesus will leave them that they can sell the word of God for money? i thought about it for a moment but 2 Corinthians 2:17 says that they didn't, so what i think is that the wallet in Luke 22 means that the money will be a necessity since they will have to travel and they will have many difficulties and they have to be prepared for everything in their life to come, and i remember that the disciples used to do a manual work for money thus what he told them, but i don't know in what verse, do you do?

I believe what Jesus told them to do in Luke 22:35 is explained in verse 37 where Jesus said "that this that is written must be accomplished in me, And he was reckoned among the transgressors: for the things concerning me have an end."

So what Jesus commanded of them to do was symbolic, and needed to be fulfilled as prophesied.

Also Jesus told his disciples in Matthew 10:8
Heal the sick, cleanse the lepers, raise the dead, cast out devils: freely ye have received, freely give.

So their work in the ministry was to be freely given.

And yes, the apostles did work other jobs, Paul for instance was a tent maker. And the scriptures also say that if a man will not work, then neither should he eat.