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No Buying or SellingNo Buying or Selling By Colin and Russell Standish Holy _script_ure details a time prior to the closing of human probation when God's faithful saints will be deprived by law from buying or selling. Beside the fearful persecution meted out during the little time of trouble, Satan conceives another ploy in his scheme to break the will of God's people. By this ploy Satan incites the wicked leaders to enact a law which forbids any financial transaction with God's people. Here is his plan: 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. (Revelation 13:17) Satan says, I will work at cross purposes with God. I will empower my followers to set aside God's memorial, the seventh-day Sabbath. Thus I will show the world that the day sanctified and blessed by God has been changed. That day shall not live in the minds of the people. I will obliterate the memory of it. I will place in its stead a day that does not bear the credentials of God, a day that cannot be a sign between God and His people. I will lead those who accept this day to place upon it the sanctity that God placed upon the seventh day. Through my vicegerent, I will exalt myself. The first day will be extolled, and the Protestant world will receive this spurious sabbath as genuine. Through the nonobservance of the Sabbath that God instituted, I will bring His law into contempt. The words, 'A sign between Me and you throughout your generations,' I will make to serve on the side of my sabbath. Thus the world will become mine. I will be the ruler of the earth, the prince of the world. I will so control the minds under my power that God's Sabbath shall be a special _object_ of contempt. A sign? I will make the observance of the seventh day a sign of disloyalty to the authorities of earth. Human laws will be made so stringent that men and women will not dare to observe the seventhday Sabbath. For fear of wanting food and clothing, they will join with the world in transgressing God's law. The earth will be wholly under my dominion. (Prophets and Kings, pp. 183-184) The time is coming when we cannot sell at any price. The decree will soon go forth prohibiting men to buy or sell of any man save him that hath the mark of the beast. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 152) Already, Rome is paving the way to play its leading role in this economic boycott. On November 27, 2006, Pope Benedict XVI addressed a letter to Cardinal Francis Arinze, prefect of the Vatican's Congress for Divine Worship. In this letter the Pope commended the cardinal's plan to examine in depth the theme: Sunday Mass for the sanctification of the Christian people. Notice, this is not confined to Roman Catholic adherents, but extends to Christians. Benedict XVI in the letter made the false claim that Sunday was not chosen by the Christian community but by the Apostles, and indeed by Christ Himself, who on that day, the first day of the week arose and appeared to the disciples (Matthew 28:1; Luke 24:1; John 20:1, 19; Acts 20:7; 1 Corinthians 16:2) and appeared to them again eight days later (John 20:26). (See http://www.vatican.va/holy_father/benedict_xvi/ letters/2006/documents/hf_ben-xvi_let_20061127_ sacrosanctum-concilium_en.html) It is little wonder that the Pope only provided the references for his Bible texts. Had he quoted them in full, the reader would have detected that not one of these passages or all combined bore the least mandate for Sunday observance. Nevertheless we see that Satan's boast, Through my vicegerent, I will exalt myself (quoted above), is being fulfilled before our eyes. Before the age of technology the universal decree against buying or selling would have seemed impossible to implement or enforce. Surely, John the Revelator could have had no conception as to how such a law could be implemented. Yet he was faithful to the divine revelation given to those of us upon whom the ends of the world are come (1 Corinthians 10:11). Many today forecast the time in the foreseeable future when there will be a cashless society. Such a society would permit a worldwide prohibition of sales or purchases by God's faithful servants. We have lived to the time when such a decree will be enforceable planet-wide. The technology to do so is already in place. It is at this time that God's faithful will be deprived of all human support. In the last great conflict of the controversy with Satan those who are loyal to God will see every earthly support cut off. Because they refuse to break His law in obedience to earthly powers, they will be forbidden to buy or sell. (The Desire of Ages, pp. 121-122) God's loyal ones will not waver, for their faith in Jesus is unmovable. Though they will be tested, they cling to His promises. He shall dwell on high: his place of defence shall be the munitions of rocks: bread shall be given him; his waters shall be sure. (Isaiah 33:16) I have been young, and now am old; yet have I not seen the righteous forsaken, nor his seed begging bread. (Psalm 37:25) We are not to neglect the needful preparation for these foreboding circumstances. God has given to us ample warning. While God has promised our bread and water, we should do all we can to make necessary preparation for the needs of ourselves, our family, and others who, because of circumstances, are unable to do so. Remember, this economic boycott will be enacted while probationary time lingers. Thus, there are still souls left to whom the everlasting gospel must be presented; therefore, God's faithful servents will not limit their activities to self-preservation alone. The counsel of the Lord is our guide in seeking to prepare us for this difficult time ahead. Remember, all stores will be closed to us. Our food supply will be almost wholly confined to that which we can grow. Some may have sympathetic neighbors who may help with food donations; others may be able to barter to obtain food, yet we cannot presume that this will be the case. We will be confined to the clothes which we have. We can purchase no more, and this will be the situation until the return of the Lord. We will not be able to procure toiletries. This will surely be a hardship. We suspect that all God's faithful men will have no choice but to allow their beards to grow. We will need to have skills to do simple repair of any equipment we possess. The life_style_ many of us have now will be no more. Our preparation should begin by seeking to establish plans to leave the cities and suburban regions. Indeed, our decision to do this would be wise even if there was no future no buying or selling decree. Out of the cities, is my message at this time. Be assured that the call is for our people to locate miles away from the large cities. One look at San Francisco as it is today would speak to your intelligent minds, showing you the necessity of getting out of the cities. . . . The Lord calls for His people to locate away from the cities, for in such an hour as ye think not, fire and brimstone will be rained from heaven upon these cities. Proportionate to their sins will be their visitation. When one city is destroyed, let not our people regard this matter as a light affair, and think that they may, if favorable opportunity offers, build themselves homes in that same destroyed city. . . . Let all who would understand the meaning of these things read the eleventh chapter of Revelation. Read every verse, and learn the things that are yet to take place in the cities. Read also the scenes portrayed in the eighteenth chapter of the same book. (Last Day Events, p. 95) We say again, Out of the cities. Do not consider it a great deprivation, that you must go into the hills and mountains, but seek for that retirement where you can be alone with God, to learn His will and way. (Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 355-356) Fathers and mothers who possess a piece of land and a comfortable home are kings and queens. (The Adventist Home, p. 141) In both the antediluvian period and the early postdiluvian period, God's people lived in the country. The countryside was also where Jesus grew up. Living in rural regions was God's original plan. It was the wicked of the antediluvian world who built and lived in cities. And Cain knew his wife; and she conceived, and bare Enoch: and he builded a city, and called the name of the city, after the name of his son, Enoch. (Genesis 4:17) Upon receiving the curse of God, Cain had withdrawn from his father's household. He had first chosen his occupation as a tiller of the soil, and he now founded a city, calling it after the name of his eldest son. He had gone out from the presence of the Lord, cast away the promise of the restored Eden, to seek his possessions and enjoyment in the earth under the curse of sin, thus standing at the head of that great class of men who worship the god of this world. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 81) After the flood, once again the wicked built cities. And Cush begat Nimrod: he began to be a mighty one in the earth. He was a mighty hunter before the Lord: wherefore it is said, Even as Nimrod the mighty hunter before the Lord. And the beginning of his kingdom was Babel, and Erech, and Accad, and Calneh, in the land of Shinar. (Genesis 10:8-10) And it came to pass, as they journeyed from the east, that they found a plain in the land of Shinar; and they dwelt there. And they said one to another, Go to, let us make brick, and burn them throughly. And they had brick for stone, and slime had they for morter. And they said, Go to, let us build us a city and a tower, whose top may reach unto heaven; and let us make us a name, lest we be scattered abroad upon the face of the whole earth. (Genesis 11:2-4) For a time the descendants of Noah continued to dwell among the mountains where the ark had rested. As their numbers increased, apostasy soon led to division. Those who desired to forget their Creator and to cast off the restraint of His law felt a constant annoyance from the teaching and example of their God-fearing associates, and after a time they decided to separate from the worshipers of God. Accordingly they journeyed to the plain of Shinar, on the banks of the river Euphrates. . . . Here they decided to build a city, and in it a tower of such stupendous height as should render it the wonder of the world. (Patriarchs and Prophets, p. 118) Although everything God had made was in the perfection of beauty, and there seemed nothing wanting upon the earth which God had created to make Adam and Eve happy, yet he manifested his great love to them by planting a garden especially for them. A portion of their time was to be occupied in the happy employment of dressing the garden, and a portion in receiving the visits of angels, listening to their instruction, and in happy meditation. Their labor was not wearisome, but pleasant and invigorating. This beautiful garden was to be their home, their special residence. (Last Day Events, p. 94) What were the conditions chosen by the infinite Father for His Son? A secluded home in the Galilean hills; a household sustained by honest, self-respecting labor; a life of simplicity; daily conflict with difficulty and hardship; self-sacrifice, economy, and patient, gladsome service; the hour of study at His mother's side, with the open scroll of _script_ure; the quiet of dawn or twilight in the green valley; the holy ministries of nature; the study of creation and providence; and the soul's communion with God-these were the conditions and opportunities of the early life of Jesus. (The Ministry of Healing, pp. 365-366) While seeking self-sufficiency in a small village or in the countryside, we are not to forget our calling to share the gospel in the towns and cities. As God's commandment-keeping people, we must leave the cities. As did Enoch, we must work in the cities but not dwell in them. (Evangelism, pp. 77-78) The cities are to be worked from outposts. Said the messenger of God, Shall not the cities be warned? Yes; not by God's people living in them, but by their visiting them, to warn them of what is coming upon the earth. (Selected Messages, book 2, p. 358) Not only will the country supply the opportunity to sustain us and our family, it will offer a purer environment for spiritual development and for the necessary growth in Christian perfection for ourselves and our children. Parents flock with their families to the cities because they fancy it easier to obtain a livelihood there than in the country. The children, having nothing to do when not in school, obtain a street education. From evil associates they acquire habits of vice and dissipation. (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 5, p. 232) There is not one family in a hundred who will be improved physically, mentally, or spiritually by residing in the city. Faith, hope, love, happiness, can far better be gained in retired places, where there are fields and hills and trees. Take your children away from the sights and sounds of the city, away from the rattle and din of streetcars and teams, and their minds will become more healthy. It will be found easier to bring home to their hearts the truth of the word of God. (The Adventist Home, p. 137) The Lord desires His people to move into the country, where they can settle on the land, and raise their own fruit and vegetables, and where their children can be brought in direct contact with the works of God in nature. Take your families away from the cities is my message. (Selected Messages, book 2, pp. 357-358) Again and again the Lord has instructed that our people are to take their families away from the cities, into the country, where they can raise their own provisions; for in the future the problem of buying and selling will be a very serious one. We should now begin to heed the instruction given us over and over again: Get out of the cities into rural districts, where the houses are not crowded closely together, and where you will be free from the interference of enemies. (Ibid., p. 141) We must not ignore other problems which we could face after the implementation of the laws against buying and selling. If we are living in rental accommodations, how will we pay the rent, water rates, and utility bills? If we are living in the country, we should seek as far as possible to be self-sufficient. Make sure the property you purchase has a good supply of fresh, clean water. But don't expect the luxury of running hot water. It will be much easier to flourish in the country than in the cities at this time. We can be self-sustaining in almost every way; nevertheless, how will we be able to pay our property taxes, let alone insurance? Insurance we may forego, trusting God to supply protection for our properties. But property taxes are an entirely different matter. God will no doubt reveal this to us if we do all to prepare for that day. How blessed we will be when we see all human support withdrawn from us and witness the mighty hand of God taking charge over our lives! The implications of the laws against all commerce will be more far reaching than a causal evaluation might appear. Remember that, if you are faithful, you will be deprived of contacting family or friends who live a great distance from you. You will not be able to communicate by letter, email, fax, telephone, or website. No vehicles, bus, train, ships, or planes will be available for travel. How earnest will be our prayers for one another, for in many instances we will not know the fate of our loved ones! Are they faithful to their Savior under all circumstances? What tests are they facing? It may not be until the gathering day of Jesus that we will know whether they remained faithful to the end. The authors are very much alert to this eventuality. As identical twins we have had an intimate bonding beyond that of most siblings. Russell lives in Australia and Colin in America. The no buying or selling laws would deprive us of all communication until the return of our Lord. How earnest would our prayers be for each other that God would keep us faithful to the end! These end-time tests will fit us for eternity by refining our characters and will prepare us for the much greater tests during the time of Jacob's trouble. At that time, God will be our complete support and protection.