Mystery Babylon: Chapter 15D

The Merchant's Merchandise (No Longer Found)

VESSELS AND INSTRUMENTS

The words "vessels" and "instruments" found in the Old Testament come from the Hebrew word 45*"kel-ee'." It is defined as follows: "Something prepared, i.e. any apparatus (as an implement, utensil, dress, vessel or weapon)." from Strong's Hebrew. Throughout Old Testament scripture we read of the many instruments or vessels of the House of God. The House of God being another name for the tabernacle of the congregation or the tabernacle in the wilderness, or even Solomon's Temple. These instruments or vessels of service include the High Priest, his temple servants, the great many utensils of which is nearly impossible to mention in this study. The wheat, flour, oil, wine, etc. used in the many offerings as well as the animals used in the sacrifices. The various materials used in the dressing of the House of God were also an important part of the worship of God. Everything used in the temple service pointed to (in one way or another) the worship of Jesus Christ, as we assemble together in the congregations. Apart from the assembling of ourselves together, (if we are truly saved) we still remain a part of the true Temple of God, thereby being symbolically portrayed by many of the Old Testament "vessels" or "instruments" of service for the temple.

"And thou shalt take the anointing oil, and anoint the tabernacle, and all that is therein, and shalt hallow it, and all the vessels thereof; and it shall be holy." (Exodus 40:9)

"Some of them also were appointed to oversee the vessels and all the instruments of the sanctuary, and the fine flour, and the wine, and the oil, and the frankincense, and the spices." (I Chronicles 9:29)

Leviticus 8:9-11 reads:
"And Moses took the anointing oil, and anointed the tabernacle, and all that was therein, and sanctified them."
"And he sprinkled thereof upon the altar seven times, and anointed the altar and all his vessels, both the laver and his foot, to sanctify them." [Moses was a definite "type" of Christ, as he led his people toward the promise land. Moses anointed the altar and all of the vessels, whom God spiritually anoints with the Holy Ghost - all of His true vessels in His Holy Temple.]

Christ tells Ananias (who was frightened of Paul) "Go thy way: for he is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel:" (Acts 9:15). The book of Romans tells us that God had afore prepared us as vessels of mercy, that He might make known the riches of his glory (Romans 9:23). To be a true vessel of God's Temple, we must be covered by the shed blood of Christ our Saviour.

Hebrews chapter nine confirms this from Old Testament types and symbols, as we read in 9:20-23:
V.20 - "Saying, This is the blood of the testament which God hath enjoined unto you."
V.21 - "Moreover he sprinkled with blood both the tabernacle, and all the vessels of the ministry."
V.22 - "And almost all things are by the law purged with blood; and without shedding of blood is no remission."
V.23 - "It was therefore necessary that the "patterns" [an exhibit for imitation] of things in the heavens should be purified with these; but the heavenly things themselves with better sacrifices then these."

God has just stated something of profound consequences that is readily overlooked my many. We have just been told that the Old Testament tabernacle with all of its "vessels of the ministry" were sprinkled with blood. These are all "patterns" of things in the heavens. The heavenly things themselves will be anointed with better sacrifices then these, speaking of the new covenant confirmed with Christ's own blood. Clearly the Old Testament tabernacle and all of its vessels and instruments were patterns or pictures or types of the spiritual (not earthly) Temple of Christ; His Church.

As we come to Revelation 18:12 we sadly discover that these same Old Testament "patterns" and "symbols" of Christ's Church are no longer found where they ought to be. They are (for the most part) no longer found in the worldwide corporate church. It is the time of the end. Christ is about to appear. He has given Satan authority to desecrate the corporate church as God's own judgment upon this once faithful city, which has now merged into the world of Babylon. She is the harlot of harlots, the mother of all harlots because she once had the truth and turned from it. The only comfort in all of this is the fact that God will not allow any of His true believers to be deceived by her. They are commanded to come out of her.

BEASTS

The word 46*"beasts" as used in Revelation 18:13 is the Greek word Ktenos (ktay'-nos), meaning property i.e. specifically a domestic animal: - beast. Its derivative verb ktaomai (ktah'om-ahee) means to possess and/or property in flocks and herds. As near as we can tell, when Revelation 18:13 speaks of beasts, it is depicting ownership or possession of beasts. Ktay'-nos (beasts) is found in only three other New Testament passages:

"And went to him, and bound up his wounds, pouring in oil and wine, and set him on his own beast [ktenos], and brought him to an inn, and took care of him." (Luke 10:34)

"And provide them beasts [ktenos], that they may set Paul on, and bring him safe unto Felix the governor." (Acts 23:24)

"All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts [ktenos], another of fishes, and another of birds." (1 Corinthians 15:39)

This word seems to strongly convey the idea of any domestic animal. Its derivative verb "ktaomai" bears the meaning of possession, as we see from the following passages:

"Provide [ktaomia] neither gold, nor silver, nor brass in your purses," (Matthew 10:9)

"I fast twice in the week, I give tithes of all that I possess [ktaomia]." (Luke 18:12)

"In your patience possess [ktaomia] ye your souls." (Luke 12:19)

"Now this man purchased [ktaomia] a field with the reward of iniquity; and falling headlong, he burst asunder in the midst, and all his bowels gushed out." (Acts 1:18)

"But Peter said unto him, Thy money perish with thee, because thou hast thought that the gift of God may be purchased [ktaomia] with money." (Acts 8:20) "And the chief captain answered, with a great sum obtained [ktaomia] I this freedom. And Paul said, but I was free born." (Acts 22:28)

"That every one of you should know how to possess [ktaomia] his vessel in sanctification and honour;" (1 Thessalonians 4:4)

The general meaning or the symbolism of these beasts found in Revelation 18:13 first details possession and ownership of beasts. The apostle Paul was provided with beasts to carry him safely to Felix. The man who fell among thieves was finally rescued by a certain Samaritan, who set him on his "own" beast and brought him to the inn. The Greek word "ktenos" and its verb "ktaomai" only tell us that possession or ownership of beasts is in view. The Greek language - of course - will not interpret the spiritual meaning that God has in view for us. For that, we must search the scriptures.

The merchandise of gold, and of silver, and precious stones, and of pearls, etc., etc. all belong solely to Christ and His Church. These were purchased with a price; the shed blood of Christ at the cross at Calvary. These are the spiritual and symbolic attire that array the everlasting House of God. Yes, beasts as well, have been assigned as a possession in this Temple of God. These are the figurative types and symbols used in Old Testament scripture foreshadowing the spiritual goods and merchandise that - through Christ our Redeemer - would be brought into God's eternal storehouse; the spiritual Temple of the Church-Age and beyond. All of the Church's merchandise of Revelation 18:12-13 played its pictorial role in the Old Testament tabernacle and temple.

The first mention of beast in scripture is seen in Genesis 1:24:
"And God said, Let the earth bring forth the living creature after its kind, cattle, and creeping thing, and beast of the earth after his kind: and it was so."

In the above verse, the words "living creature" and "beast" come from the Hebrew word chay 47*(khah'-ee), meaning alive, or living thing, whether literally or figuratively. Even though the cattle are a living thing, they are not defined from this Hebrew word. Neither is creeping thing (which is another source of "living things"). God uses the Hebrew word "chay (khah'-ee)" to define living creatures in general, but then peculiarly adds a specific such as beasts to this definition. Remarkably, we find the translation of the twenty-four beasts that stood round about the throne in Revelation to be more properly rendered "living creatures." It seems that God uses beasts to represent various animals throughout scripture. God also uses beasts to symbolize both believers and non-believers in scripture as well.

"He sendeth the springs into the valleys, which run among the hills."
"They give drink to every beast of the field: the wild asses quench their thirst." (Psalm 104:10-11) Scripture teaches that God's springs and waters are pictures of the Gospel of Christ. We examined the above verse in our Old Testament commentary and found that some wild asses do represent believers. Now we see that the beasts of the field in this passage can also be a figure of believers as they spiritually drink from God's wells of salvation. "He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water," John 7:38. Jesus Christ said "...I am the WAY, the TRUTH, and the LIFE...," John 14:6. In Isaiah chapter forty-three God speaks of this "way" and declares that the beasts of the field will come to this WAY!

Isaiah 43:19-20:
"Behold, I will do a new thing; now it shall spring forth: shall ye not know it? I will even make a WAY in the wilderness, and rivers in the desert."
"The beast of the field shall honour me, the dragons and the owls; because I give waters [the Gospel] in the wilderness [the world], and rivers [the Gospel] in the desert [world], to give drink to my people, my chosen."

From the above verse we learn that rivers and waters are synonyms for the "way" of Christ. It is only Christ who came into this spiritual wilderness and spiritual desert that He might bring the way of salvation; that He might make a way in the wilderness. Verse twenty of the above passage declares that the beasts of the field and also the dragons shall honour God - that is also Christ - because God gives them waters in the wilderness and rivers in the desert - to give drink to my people, my chosen. Do we see God's people or God's chosen drinking from these rivers and waters in the wilderness and in the desert? Yes we do. His chosen people are portrayed by the beasts of the field, and again by the dragons of the desert who honour Him because of the gospel waters and rivers! God speaks to us in parables much of the time throughout scripture.

Beasts were also used as an offering in the Old Testament temple:

"And whosoever remaineth in any place where he sojourneth, let the men of his place help him with silver, and with gold, and with goods, and with beasts, beside the freewill offering for the house of God that is Jerusalem."

"And all they that were about them strengthened their hands with vessels of silver, with gold, with goods, and with beasts, and with precious things, beside all that was willingly offered." (Ezra 1:4,6)

Notice in the above verses that beasts were a pertinent part of the freewill offerings to God. Also notice in these verses that God adds "goods" to the list of silver, gold, precious things, and beasts. The Hebrew defines "goods" as property and riches. These were material riches that were used in the decoration of the Temple. It is these same Old Testament material riches that pictured the New Testament spiritual riches to be found in the spiritual Temple of Christ and His church. Sadly, however, with the realization of the abomination of desolation, and Satan being allowed to silence the corporate church, we see from Revelation 18:12-13 that this wonderful merchandise is no longer found in her. It is no longer found in the worldwide corporate church. The truth has fled mainstream Christianity and is no longer found in her.

SHEEP

When we come to sheep in Revelation 18:13 we have no trouble identifying with this analogy. Psalm 144:13 may not be the clearest description of this analogy, but perhaps it is one of the most beautiful of all verses:
"That our garners may be full, affording all manner of store: that our sheep may bring forth thousands and ten thousands in our streets:" (Psalm 144:13)

When we examine the New Testament word for sheep, we find that every verse translates as sheep. We do not have to search for other meanings. All of Christendom would agree that sheep is a symbolical term for the believers. Sheep were used for the sacrificial offerings in Old Testament days, ultimately picturing the sacrifice of the Lamb of God, the Lord Jesus Christ.

HORSES

To equate horses to the House of God is a more difficult task than to equate sheep, wine, oil, etc. Nonetheless, horses are indeed perceived in scripture as a symbolical element of the Church of God. In all fairness, horses are portrayed more often in scripture as representing the forces of Satan. Let us briefly observe how they are figuratively typified as relating to God.

"Mine anger was kindled against the shepherds, and I punished the goats: for the LORD of hosts hath visited his flock the house of Judah, and hath made them as his goodly horse in the battle." (Zechariah 10:3)

The New Testament Church is typified by Israel or by Judah of old. Many more cities of Israel picture the New Testament Church as well. The above verse speaks of God punishing the goats (unbelievers) of Judah, and yet has made "His flock" as His "goodly horse." Goodly signifies honor, beauty, and majesty in this illustration, having everything to do with Christ and His elect. God has prepared His people for the battle, and has called them His goodly horse. This battle is the age-old war between the kingdom of Christ and the fallen kingdom of Satan.

"I will be as dew unto Israel: he shall grow as the lily, and cast forth his roots as Lebanon."
"His branches shall spread, and his beauty [same word as goodly] shall be as the olive tree, and his smell as Lebanon." (Hosea 14:5-6)

This is another depictive way in which God characterizes His Church with pictures and earthly illustrations. The Church is without question typified as the olive tree (Rev. 11:4; Romans 11:17,24; Zech. 4:3,11,12). The word "goodly" appears in more verses, all of which relate solely to the Creator.

In Jeremiah chapter forty-six God speaks to the prophet Jeremiah that he may warn Israel of the imminent danger from the Egyptians. In verses three and four we read:
"Order ye the buckler and shield, and draw near to battle."
"Harness the horses; and get up, ye horsemen, and stand forth with your helmets; furbish the spears, and put on the brigandines."

This is the Christian's spiritual defense of today. Yes, all typified by literal weapons of war. At the cross these weapons of war were transformed into spiritual weapons designed for spiritual warfare. Isaiah 59:16-17 speak of Christ as our intercessor, having been armed with spiritual weapons, of which are the Christian's weapons as well.

"And he saw that there was no man, and wondered that there was no intercessor: therefore his arm brought salvation unto him; and his righteousness, it sustained him."
"For he put on righteousness as a breastplate, and an helmet of salvation upon his head; and he put on the garments of vengeance for clothing, and was clad with zeal as a cloak." (Isaiah 59:16-17)

This is precisely what is ultimately in view as God calls for the weapons of warfare in the above verses of Jeremiah chapter forty-five. "Harness the horses" is a part of that call. Let us look at a few more references which mention horses in relation to the kingdom of God.

"Then shall there enter into the gates of this city kings and princes, sitting upon the throne of David, riding in chariots and on horses, they, and their princes, the men of Judah, and the inhabitants of Jerusalem: and this city shall remain for ever." (Jeremiah 17:25)

To enter into the gates of the city is a figure of speech indicating one coming into salvation, i.e. entering into the spiritual gates of the eternal city of Jerusalem. All believers are typified in scripture as kings and princes (Rev. 1:6, 5:10, 21:24; Ps. 45:16). Christ inherits the throne of David, which pictured the eternal Throne of God where Christ will rule and reign at God's right hand (Heb. 1:3, 8:1, 10:12, 12:2; 1 Peter 3:22). This city is the eternal city which will remain forever, as Jeremiah 17:25 so beautifully declares. The believers come through the gates of this celestial city riding on horses and in chariots, figuratively speaking of course. Christ is portrayed in Revelation chapter six - at His first coming - as riding upon a white horse. White signifying the purity of the Anointed One. Christ came to this earth pictured upon a white horse and having a bow, and a crown was given unto Him. He went forth conquering and to conquer with the two edged sword of salvation (Rev.6:2). When Christ comes to judge the earth, He comes again symbolically upon a white horse. "And the armies [WHICH were] in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean (Rev. 19:11-14). At Christ's second coming those who have previously died in Christ will be coming with Him to judge this earth. They too are clothed in fine linen, white and clean, and figuratively riding upon horses. Recall that fine linen was another spiritual quality found within the true Church of Christ and hence no longer found in the harlot church of Revelation chapter eighteen. Fine linen (as the righteousness of Christ) is associated with the horses of heaven, and both being a spiritual part of God's eternal kingdom.

"And they shall bring all your brethren for an offering unto the LORD out of all nations upon horses, and upon chariots, and in litters, and upon mules, and upon swift beasts, to my holy mountain Jerusalem, saith the LORD, as the children of Israel bring an offering in a clean vessel into the house of the LORD." (Isaiah 66:20)

When the children of Israel passed through the Red Sea on dry land, God says that He "...led them through the deep, as an horse in the wilderness, [THAT] they should not stumble," Isaiah 63:13. God again compares His Israel (His true Israel) to a company of horses:

"If thou know not, O thou fairest among women, go thy way forth by the footsteps of the flock, and feed thy kids beside the shepherds' tents."
"I have compared thee, O my love, to a company of horses in Pharaoh's chariots." (Song of Solomon 1:8-9)

"And Ahab said unto Obadiah, go into the land, unto all fountains of water, and unto all brooks: peradventure we may find grass to save the horses and mules alive, that we lose not all the beasts." (I Kings 18:5)

I Kings speaks of a land wherein are found fountains of waters, brooks, and grass. These are figures of the Gospel. This land can only be the kingdom of God, the promise land. Many times in the Old Testament we read of God declaring that His Word is a fountain of living waters. It is this grass and these brooks and fountains of water that "save" the horses and mules, as we read in I kings 18:5. Mules are also pictured in scripture as representing believers.

King Solomon reigned in Jerusalem over all Israel for a period of forty years. He is an Old Testament type of Christ. His wealth in material goods simply staggers the mind. But why did God allow King Solomon to be this rich in worldly goods? Solomon most probably pictured Christ, in that he was commissioned to build God's Holy Temple in Jerusalem as Christ is commissioned to build God's spiritual and eternal Temple. Solomon's wealth is too awesome to detail. His possessions included camels, spices, gold, precious stones, algum trees, harps, psalteries for singers, silver, ivory, apes, peacocks, raiment, mules, 4,000 stalls of horses and chariots, etc. Doesn't this sound a bit like the merchandise we've been studying in Revelation chapter eighteen? Of course it does. It is picturing the merchandise of Christ's spiritual Temple. II Chronicles 9:22 declares: "And king Solomon passed all the kings of the earth in riches and wisdom." Recall in Chapter 13 "The Merchants Have Become Rich From the Abundance of Her Delicacies," that we saw the many merchants of the earth becoming spiritually rich because of the merchandise that this woman (now harlot) once possessed. They became rich in the Word of God because of the abundance of spiritual merchandise possessed by the once faithful Church. But now it has become apostate. Satan is seated in the Temple of God and the true merchandise is no longer to be found in the mainline corporate church of today.

King Solomon surpassed all of the kings of the earth in riches and in wisdom, which typified Christ, as He, being God incarnate, surpassed all of the kings of the earth (believers) in spiritual riches and in wisdom.

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