When Cain was cursed for his willful disobedience, Cain complained to God that his punishment was greater than what he could bear and worried that anyone who saw him would slay him (Genesis 4:15-16). First it in interesting to recognize that at this point in time, other than his parents, there is no mention of any other human beings alive, in the Bible, and so one cannot be sure as to whom Cain is afraid of. Second it is interesting to note that Cain is worried about the same sin that he willfully committed against his brother. A murderer is now worried about being murdered. He was worried about reaping what he had sown. So the Lord said to Cain, that whoever slays Cain, on him would vengeance be taken sevenfold times. And God set a mark upon Cain so that any one who found Cain would not kill him. It is futile to speculate as to what this mark is, as it is not explicitly stated in the Bible, and in fact the identity of the mark is inconsequential. However, what is of utmost importance is that despite Cain’s sin, God in his mercy, sets his divine protection over Cain, so that Cain, who was spiritually dead (for he went out from the presence of the Lord – Genesis 4:16) would not also die physically, before his appointed time.
Points to ponder:
Cain was a marked man – a man who was divinely protected so he would not die physically in the hands of man. A time will come, when all who swear allegiance to the the antichrist (the beast) would be marked as well, but this time God’s divine protection would not be on them, for every one who receives the mark of the beast would die both physically and spiritually, away from the presence of the Lord (Revelation 13:16-18). Let us not be willfully sinful to be marked by God as Cain was and let us not be apostate to bear the mark or number of the antichrist, but let us be like Apostle Paul, dying daily to our selfish desires and sin (1 Corinthians 15:31), and bearing God’s mark – the marks of the Lord Jesus (Galatians 6:17), being crucified daily with him (Galatians 2:20).
Genesis 4:15-16 (KJV)
15 And the Lord said unto him, Therefore whosoever slayeth Cain, vengeance shall be taken on him sevenfold. And the Lord set a mark upon Cain, lest any finding him should kill him.
16 And Cain went out from the presence of the Lord, and dwelt in the land of Nod, on the east of Eden.
Galatians 6:16-18 (KJV)
16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace be on them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God.
17 From henceforth let no man trouble me: for I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus.
18 Brethren, the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with your spirit. Amen.
1 Corinthians 15:31 (KJV)
31 I protest by your rejoicing which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.
Revelation 13:16-18 (KJV)
16 And he causeth all, both small and great, rich and poor, free and bond, to receive a mark in their right hand, or in their foreheads:
17 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.
18 Here is wisdom. Let him that hath understanding count the number of the beast: for it is the number of a man; and his number is Six hundred threescore and six.
