606. 13:17 So that no one can buy or sell if he does not have the mark or the name of the beast, or the number of its name. This symbolically means that no one is allowed to teach from the Word, or consequently to be inaugurated into the priesthood, to be accorded the badge of the teaching office, to be granted the doctor's cap, and called orthodox, but one who acknowledges that doctrine and swears to a belief in it and love for it, and to such as is in conformity with it, or such as does not conflict with it.

To buy and to sell mean, symbolically, to acquire concepts, in this case concepts having to do with that doctrine, and to teach them, as shown below. The mark of the beast symbolizes an acknowledgment that one is a Reformed Christian, and a confession that one is such (no. 605). The name of the beast symbolizes the character of the doctrine, a name symbolizing character (nos. 81, 122, 165, 584), and the beast symbolizing the doctrine accepted by the laity, thus by the general populace (no. 567). Moreover, because the verse says "or the name of the beast," it symbolizes its character or such as is in conformity with it. A number symbolizes the character of a thing (no. 448), and because the verse says "or the number of its name," it symbolizes the character of the doctrine or such as does not conflict with it.

It is stated so, because the doctrine symbolized by the dragon and its beast is not the same throughout the kingdoms in which Reformed Protestants are found, though it is the same in respect to this postulate or principal tenet of the doctrine, that faith justifies and saves apart from works of the law.

[2] That to buy and to sell mean, symbolically, to acquire concepts for oneself and to teach them, and so likewise to market, trade, and make a profit, is clear from the following passages:

Everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and you who have no money, come, buy and eat. Yes, come, buy wine and milk without money... (Isaiah 55:1)

You have sold yourselves for nothing; (therefore) you shall not be redeemed with money. (Isaiah 52:3)

With your wisdom and your understanding you have gained riches for yourself...; by your great wisdom in your trading you have increased your riches... (Ezekiel 28:4-5)

Since Tyre symbolized the church in respect to its concepts of goodness and truth, therefore we are told the following concerning Tyre:

All the ships of the sea... were... to market your merchandise... Tarshish was your trader...(in) silver... Javan, Tubal, and Meshech were your merchants. With human life... they carried on your trading... Syria was your trader... with chrysoprase... Your riches, your wares, and your merchandise..., ...those carrying on your trade..., will fall into the midst of the seas on the day of your ruin. (Ezekiel 27:9, 12-13, 16, 27)

Wail, you ships of Tarshish! For (Tyre) is laid waste..., whose merchants are princes, and whose traders are the honored of the earth? (Isaiah 23:1-8)

Trading has the same meaning in the Lord's parable about a man traveling to a far country, who gave his servants talents to trade with and make a profit (Matthew 25:14-30). In another parable about a man who gave his servants ten minas for them to do business with (Luke 19:12-26). In the parable regarding a treasure hidden in a field, which a man found and hid, who sold all that he had and bought the field (Matthew 13:44). And in the one about a man seeking beautiful pearls, who, when he had found one precious one, sold all that he had and bought it (Matthew 13:45-46).

Such have they become..., your merchants from your youth; they shall wander each one from his region, not saving you. (Isaiah 47:15)

And so on elsewhere.

584. 13:6 Then it opened its mouth in blasphemies against God and His name. This symbolizes their assertions, which are scandalous, against the Divine itself and the Lord's Divine humanity, and at the same time against everything that the church has from the Word by which the Lord is worshiped.

Its opening its mouth in blasphemies symbolizes assertions which are falsehoods. A mouth symbolizes doctrine, preaching and discourse (no. 452). Therefore to open the mouth means, symbolically, to utter those falsehoods. Blasphemies symbolize falsifications of the Word and more, as said in nos. 571, 582 above, here scandalous assertions as well, because the phrase follows, "against God and His name." God symbolizes the Lord's Divinity, as is the case often elsewhere in the book of Revelation. And His name symbolizes everything by which the Lord is worshiped, including the Word, because worship is conducted in accordance with it (no. 81).

That the name of Jehovah or of God symbolizes the Lord's Divine humanity and at the same time the Word, as well as everything by which He is worshiped, can become further seen from the following passages:

(Jesus said,) "Father, glorify Your name." Then a voice came from heaven, saying, "I have both glorified it and will glorify it again." (John 12:28)

(Jesus said,) "I have manifested Your name to... men... and I have made known to them Your name...." (John 17:6, 26)

Whatever you ask in My name, that I will do, that the Father may be glorified in the Son. If you ask anything in My name, I will do it. (John 14:13-14)

In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God... As many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name... And the Word became flesh... (John 1:1, 12, 14)

(Jesus said,) ."..he who does not believe (in Him) is judged already, because he has not believed in the name of the only begotten Son of God. (John 3:18)

In the second commandment of the Decalogue, the name of Jehovah God that is not to be profaned, and in the Lord's Prayer, the name of the Father that is to be hallowed, have precisely this meaning.