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Introduction

The book of Revelation is one of the most controversial books in the Bible for the

contemporary Christian interpreters and commentators. Because of its symbolic languages and

imageries, each commentator takes different view on its interpretation. Even biblical scholars in

the Adventist circle failed to make wholesome unity in the interpretation of the book of

Revelation. However, there are many attempts to interpret the Book of Revelation heavily relied

on Ellen White’s writings only, and these interpretations in which were deviated from the

biblical perspective and contextual meaning. Furthermore, some interpretations even ignoring

Ellen White’s original intention. These kinds of interpretations were introduced to the lay people

in the church with causing segregation of church due to having different views on the

interpretation of comments of Ellen White about the book of Revelation. This phenomenon gives

implication that the significance of the book of Revelation is increasing because of its

interpretation of prophecies in the book of Revelation.

One of difficult tasks on interpretation of the book of Revelation is identifying and

distinguishing the author’s

 

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intention of usages of the words as symbolic or literal. The book itself seems to be symbolic on

the most in parts. However, there are imageries that the author saw seem like literal descriptions.

Especially, if the book of Revelation heavily employs symbolic languages, thus the interpreter

has to pay close attention to the author’s intentions by analyzing on textual, inter-textual,

historical and socio-cultural implications. Otherwise, deviation from what the author intended is

inevitable.

One of the examples in the book of Revelation is chapter 13. In chapter 13, John uses

many symbols such as sands of the sea, the beast, the ten horns, dragon, lion, leopard, seal, mark

of the beast, 666 and so on. Symbols were used not only as nouns but also the verbs

(movements). However, the phrase “no men might buy or sell” in verse 17 considered as ‘literal’

according to many commentators including many Adventist scholars and lay people. This literal

understanding of this phrase makes practical Christian life application, which was taken by the

modern readers to respond what is going to happen in the future. This interpretation resulted

emphasis on rural life style and self-sustain life style without having modern technologies such

as electricity, gas, transportation and so on. Thus, It is relevant to attempt to identify the authors

intended meaning of this phrase especially for the contemporary readers of the book of

Revelation.

The purpose of this study is to attempt to observe on this phrase ‘no man might buy or

sell’ in the context of what the author would mean in terms of historical setting and inter-textual

relationship.

The exegetical method is required in order to observe the connection in inter-textual

evidences. Furthermore, the information of historical background is needed as well in the

perspective of the first century Christians.

 

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This study is presupposed that the book of Revelation is written by the John the Revelator

who really saw and received the prophesy directly from God, the disciple of Jesus Christ who

lived in the first century.

Textual Analysis

Revelation 13:17 indicate the consequence of not receiving the mark of the beast.1 The

consequence is ‘no men might buy or sell iºna mh/ tiß du/nhtai aÓgora¿sai h£ pwlhvsai’.

Especially the Greek conjunction iºna indicates that this phrase is directly related to the previous

verse or previous clause. The verbs ‘to buy (aÓgora¿sai)’ and ‘to sell (pwlhvsai)’ are not the

main verbs in this phrase. The main verb in this clause is ‘be able (du/nhtai)‘ which indicates

significant literal meaning of this phrase. As the main verb used as “able to (might)” with

                                                                                                               1Joseph L. Mangina, Revelation (Grand Rapids, MI.: Brazos

Press, 2010), 165.

 

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negation (mh), this gives implication that ‘to buy’ or ‘to sell’ represents one concept.2 The

conjunction ‘or (h£)’ is also indicates that these two infinitives have to be taken as one, which

indicates author’s one intention.3 Therefore, the author John tries to indicate one concept with

employing these two different infinitives ‘aÓgora¿sai’ and ‘pwlhvsai’. However, it is difficult to

define the meaning by other usages of this whole phrase because of its only occurrence in the

Revelation. Importantly, the conjunction ‘or’ also indicates that these infinitive verbs are

intended to same meaning in the context, therefore, the usage of each infinitive indicates may

show the syntactical meaning of ‘to buy or to sell’.

The root of the word “to buy aÓgora¿ ” used 49 times in the New Testament; however,

the usage of this word does not indicate significant connection to the word intended in the book

of Revelation in general. Interestingly, the author of the book of Revelation, John the disciple

employs this word several times in his books. In the book of John, the root of the word (aÓgora¿)

used three times4; all of three occurrences indicate that this word was used to describe the literal

meaning as buying foods or materials. In the book of Revelation, John uses the root of the word

(aÓgora¿) for six times5; and these usages indicate that this word is not used as description of

actual and literal buying in the market place. The image of ‘to buy’ used as symbolic meaning in

the context of the book of Revelation. Furthermore, other forms of the word (aÓgora¿) translated

as meaning ‘redeemed’, which indicates that, the ‘buying’ related to Christ’s sacrifice for

sinners. However, it seems that the meaning of Christ’s sacrifice does not have connection to

13:17, but the usage of the word (aÓgora) makes illusion that the word ‘to buy (aÓgora¿sai)’ in

                                                                                                               2Many commentators take this phrase ‘buy or sell’ as

exchange, market, and economic activities. 3  Craig S. Keener, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Mich.:

Zondervan, 2000), 352.  4John 4:8; 6:5; 13:29. 5Revelation 3:18; 5:9; 13:17; 14:3; 14:4; 18:11    

 

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the context of the Revelation should not be taken as literally. John also uses infinitive form of the

root (aÓgora¿sai) two times in the book of Revelation including 13:17. The other text that John

used infinitive form was found in 3:18, in the context of messages to the seven churches in

chapter two and three. This form was clearly used to describe of buying activity is symbolic in

the context. The difference between 13:17 and 3:18 is 3:18 uses infinitive form with direct

object. For instance, in 3:18 indicates that the church was urged to buy gold, white garments,

anointing the eyes in order to have consequence such as being rich, covering shame, open

eyesight and so on.6 However, 13:17 does not mention anything about the consequences directly.

Although there are differences of using the word, but it is enough to give implication that the

usage of the word ‘to buy’ in the context of the book of Revelation might suggest that this word

has to be taken as symbolically.

The word ‘to sell (pwlhvsai)’ is another part of the phrase, which the root of the word

occurs 21 times in the New Testament. This word was used as describing the literal meaning of

selling in the context of the New Testament in general. Furthermore, the infinitive usage of the

word occurs only once in the book of Revelation. Thus, significance of this word cannot be

found in the New Testament. However, the infinitive usage without the directive object may give

the connection with the usage of ‘to buy’. Therefore, ‘to buy or to sell’ might be the symbolic

meaning in the context of the book of Revelation as a one phrase.

                                                                                                               6  I counsel you to buy from Me gold refined in the fire, that

you may be rich; and white garments, that you may be clothed, that the shame of your nakedness may not be revealed; and anoint your eyes with eye salve, that you may see.  

 

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Historical Analysis

Many commentators interpreted the mark of the beast in chapter 13 as the Roman

emperors in the days of John especially those who observe the Revelation in preteristic view.7 If

the mark of the beast was emperor worship in the first century, what does this phrase ‘to buy and

to sell’ mean in the historical context? Some research also indicates that the Latin names of

                                                                                                               7Mark Hitchcock, “A Critique of the Preterist View of

Revelation 13 and Nero,” BlBLlOTHECA SACRA 164 (July-September 2007): 341-56.

 

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emperors of Roman Empire in the days of John the author of the Revelation are representing the

mark of the beast because the Latin, Hebrew, Greek letters of these emperors names representing

the number 666.8 However, this view is skeptical for the interpreters because there is no record

that the first century Christian writers perceived John’s intention in the book of Revelation.

Then, how could the first century readers of the book of Revelation perceive the phrase

‘no man might sell or buy’ in their historical context? Historically, Roman Emperors did not

persecute specifically Christians with prohibition of economic activities. 9 There were

persecutions toward Christians locally in the first century, but those were persecutions resulted

physical damage or fatality. Even Osborne says that there is no record of legislation on

prohibition of economic activities of Christians in the fist century.10 There were several

occasions that burning incense required in order to get in to the market place, but this did not

happen in the first century. Hence, an assumption was made that this might happen locally where

John could have witnessed according to Osborne. However, Osborne’s explanation is not strong

enough to assume that this prohibition actually happened.

There is another view on 13:17 in the historical perspective. Deborah Furlan Taylor, she

argues that John intentionally mentions 13:17 because of the engraving of the Roman Emperor’s

face on coins in regarding to the mark of the beast.11 Moreover, Taylor claims that the Roman

monetary system and the census in Philistine bring the images of the mark of the beast in

                                                                                                               8Mitchell G. Reddish, Revelation (Macon, Ga.: Smyth & Helwys

Publishing, 2001), 260-261. 9Grant R. Osborne, Revelation (Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker

Academic, 2002), 518.  10 Ibid, 518. 11Deborah Taylor, “The Monetary Crisis in Revelation 13: 17

and the Provenance of the Book of Revelation,” THE CATHOLIC BIBLICAL QUARTERLY 71 (2009): 580-96.

 

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Revelation 13.12 However, this argument is not valid if the audience of the book of Revelation

was primarily Christians in those seven churches in Minor Asia.13 Taylors argument is mainly

pointing out the issues of monetary issues in Philistine, in addition to that, Taylor claims Roman

Emperors’ identities based on their Latin names’ numeric perception, which is not valid to make

an argument to identify these emperors as the mark of the beast.14 Basically, the fundamental

deviation of Taylor’s application on the perception of the phrase ‘buy or sell’ is based on the

understanding of its phrase as literally.

Historically, there is no official record on ‘no man might (to) buy or (to) sell’ in the first

century. Thus, John did not use this imagery in order to bring the caution of prohibition of

economic activities. Therefore, theological approach is significant in order to identify the

intended meaning of this phrase. And furthermore, it suggests that the author of the book of

Revelation assumed and intended the symbolic meaning of the text.

                                                                                                               12 Ibid, 585. 13M. Eugene Boring, Revelation (Louisville: Westminster John

Knox Press, 1989), 8-9. 14Hitchcock,349.  

 

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Theological Implication

Ranko Stefanovic claims that this imagery can be compared in Revelation chapter 18, as

imagery of merchant. Stefanovic argues that because of the relationship between chapter 13 and

18, the concept of buying and selling is figurative.15 Although the imagery of chapter 18 seems

different from the imagery in chapter 13, these two chapters deal with both groups of people in

the opposite side. 13:17 claims that the ones who won’t be able to buy or sell is the group of

people who rejected to receive the mark of the beast. In contrast, the merchant in chapter 18

gives depiction of the merchants as the opposite side of God because they were deceived by the

city Babylon. Moreover, 18:11 depicts the imagery that the merchandise of the earth weeps

because they cannot sell the products that they used to sell. Even though it is different image,

which was depicted in chapter 13, chapter 18 gives significant implications. Fist, the symbolic

language of chapter 18 implies that chapter 13:17 has to be understood as symbolic. Second, the

products and items that these merchandise that were sold to these merchandise were not taken as

literally, but these items represents the products of Babylon in spiritual manner, therefore, the

imagery of chapter 13 has to be considered as figurative language. Lastly, buying and selling

activity were symbolizing the deception in chapter 18. This may imply merchandise activity in

chapter 13:17, which depicts the refusal of mark of the beast by the men of God. If the men of

God might not sell or buy in the same sense on chapter 18, which also may symbolize that they

cannot teach or preach because of the power of Evil.

Even though the significant connections cannot be identified, the theological implication

shows that the imagery of buying or selling in the context of the book of Revelation indicates the

                                                                                                               15Ranko Stefanović, Revelation of Jesus Christ: Commentary

On the Book of Revelation, 2nd ed. (Berrien Springs, MI.: Andrews University Press, 2009), 436.

 

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figurative and simbolic usage. In the context of chapter 13, the first beast was depicted as an

entity against God in the time of 42 month, the prophetic time. History indicates the fact that

there were religious persecutions in this prophetic period. Then the second beast appeared, and

this beast is the one who will make the mark of the beast for the counterfeit worship. The context

tells that the second beast imitate the first beast in many areas. Then the assumption can be made

that this phrase ‘buy or sell’ might happen in the prophetic time for the first beast before this

beast was slain. It can also be possible connection that the second beast follow what the first

beast done in the history. The following question could be was there any prohibition of economic

activities in the medieval period. Unfortunately, there is no record specifically showing that there

was any decree regarding to this action.

Therefore, the phrase ‘buy or sell’ does not have strong connection to actual historical

event. It is significant that John did not use this word to be intended as literal in the context of

Revelation and other John’s writings in the Bible.

 

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Ellen White’s comments on 13:17

Ellen White mentions several times in her writings in regarding to 13:17 as she describes

the events in the last days. It seems that in many of her writings describe this verse 13:17 as

literal sense. However, there is one same intention applied through out her writings. When she

mentions Revelation 13:17, 1) warning of the future events are given, 2) urging the readers to be

ready, 3) the usages of 13:17 were simply function as quotation from the book of Revelation in

order to describe the events in the last days, 4) she interpreted the phrase in order to show God’s

provision for the people in the last days. Therefore, her interpretation of Revelation 13:17 has

intention to give her readers that God will provide when the men of God face the persecution and

life threatening situation in the future. However, she does not give any way to avoid this

consequence, but face it with faith in God. Therefore, her statements cannot be taken as the

reason to spend our time and resources to prepare the persecution. Rather, White’s implication is

all of men who will face the persecution because of the mark of the beast has to stand firm even

 

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though this tribulation will bring the consequence of it. Her statements encourage men of God to

be faithful because God is the provider.

 

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Conclusion

The contextual evidences of the book of Revelation seem to propose the possibility of

perceiving the phrase as symbolic. Furthermore, the usages of each term ‘to buy’ and ‘to sell’ in

the context of writings of John the author of Revelation indicate that these terms have to be

interpreted symbolically. Historical evidences support this view because this prohibition of

economic activities was not found in the perspective of religious persecution in the first century

and in the medieval period. In contrast to these evidences, Ellen White’s writings seem to accept

this phrase as literal sense as she describe the last day events.

In conclusion, by these evidences, the suggestion can be made that 1) ‘no man might buy

or sell’ is symbolic in the context of the writings of John the author of the book of Revelation. 2)

Historically, religious persecutions were more in physical harm rather then just prohibiting

economic activities. 3) Ellen White perceived and explained this phrase as literal in the terms of

God’s provision for the saints in the last days. According to the evidences, it seems the evidences

are contrast. However, significance of this interpretation has to be founded

 

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on the main context of the book of Revelation. John saw what will happen in the future based on

what had happened. In Chapter 13, John describes what had happened in 42-month period, and

he projects the future through out the chapter of 13. Therefore, the mark of the beast is not yet

appeared in the history, so that no one may not know what it is exactly will happen. Thus, the

fulfillment of 13:17 cannot be determined until the phenomenon actually happens in the history.

Until then, the interpreters and readers should not define what it would be exactly like.

Lastly, the context of the book of Revelation chapter 13 describes what is going to

happen in the last days in second part of the chapter. Therefore, the consequence of not receiving

the mark of the beast, as John describes ‘not able to buy and sell’ cannot be understood until the

mark of the beast appears in the history. There is a danger for the Adventist Christians who put

their resources and finances in order to be prepared for this phenomenon because the implication

of the context indicates to show God’s victory and provision for those who reject to receive the

mark of the beast. By ignoring the contextual meaning of chapter 13, and rely on the preparation

for the literal consequence of being faithful in the last days contradicts the characteristics of

God’s remnant people who face these persecution with faith and under the protection of God.

This view indicates appropriate relationship among these evidences in order to make harmony

with Ellen White’s writings regarding to 13:17 as well.

According to the book of Revelation and its context, the Adventists Christians have to be

aware of what is going to happen in the future. However, this preparation has to be performed

not in the sense of preparing for the persecution, but preparation in order to stand for the seal of

God.

 

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