Marked Men

Bill Brinkworth

In the Word of God, several men and groups have been or will be physically and visibly marked by God. At a glance it was, or will be possible, to tell for whom they stood. Were they standing for the cause of Christ, or did they choose to stand against God?

The first man to be marked by God was Cain, the murderer of his brother, Abel. God cursed Cain for his sin by promising that his farming efforts would be for naught, and that he would spend the rest of his life without a permanent home; he would be a vagabond (Genesis 4:12). To keep others from killing Cain, God placed a mark on Cain. The Bible does not further describe what this mark was. Whatever the branding was, one look at Cain, and the people knew he was under the special care of God, and that none should harm him.

Others that will be marked will include 144,000 Jewish, virgin men that will be a group of soul-winners in the beginning of the future, seven-year tribulation (Rev. 7:3-8). God will place His seal, His marking, on their foreheads (Rev. 7:3). The marking will be God’s name (Rev. 14:1), and it will clearly identify them as servants of God at a time when the inhabitants of earth will not tolerate anyone that stands for God. These evangelists will win many to the cause of Christ and pluck many out of Hell’s grasp. Their efforts will result in their deaths, but they will have a special position in heaven for their stand for Christ.

Another group that will voluntarily have a mark placed on their hand or forehead will also be seen during the tribulation period (Rev. 13:15-18). They will be told that they will not be able to buy or sell unless they have the mark of 666 placed on them. In doing so, they will be branding themselves as part of the anti-christ’s and false prophet’s systems. They might temporarily be able to get food, and what they need to survive; but they will mark themselves as enemies of God and will end up in hell — forever!

These, and others in the Bible, were visibly identified as being for or against God. Although, we are not marked physically, we, too, can be marked. God knows the sway of our heart and our allegiance to or against Him. He knows Mark of Beast what we do for Him, and the value we place on abiding by His commandments. We are “marked” in His eyes.

The unsaved world can also often see how we, who claim to be Christians, are “marked”. They see if we are boldly living for Him, or if we will ashamedly back down on biblical principles to blend in with those around us. Our refusal to pray in a public restaurant, in fear of what others think, will mark us as being like all others that do not claim to be Christians. A cowardly decision not to tell our friends and acquaintances about God’s way of salvation or other biblical teachings will also brand us as being like everyone else, in their eyes. However, a verbal stand for biblical righteousness when we may receive persecution from others, will boldly mark us for whom we stand in God’s eyes and on-lookers.

The world is looking for ones with the Truth. They do not know where to look. Unfortunately, many are looking in the wrong places for answers. If you are a Christian, and you cross paths with those unsaved, what markings are they seeing in your behavior and character? Do they know from your actions and words that you are a child of God, or have you hidden Whom you are standing for? For which side are you marked: God’s or Satan’s?
“And if it seem evil unto you to serve the LORD, choose you this day whom ye will serve; … but as for me and my house, we will serve the LORD.” Jos. 24:15

To learn more about those “marked” during the tribulation period, read the book of Revelation. To read a brief summarization of what happens during those times go to http://www.openthoumineeyes.com/blog/, and select “Revelations” from “Devotions from the Books of the Bible” on the right-side of the page. Then select which chapter you want to read a brief explanation of what the chapter is about.

“Your walk talks louder than your talk talks.”