In Revelation we read about the Mark of the Beast: a very bad “mark”. For those who accept it declare their choice to bow in worship before the Antichrist in order to buy and sell in the tribulation economy, resulting in their eternal destruction.
And the third angel followed them, saying with a loud voice, If any man worship the beast and his image, and receive his mark in his forehead, or in his hand, The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God, which is poured out without mixture into the cup of his indignation; and he shall be tormented with fire and brimstone in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence of the Lamb: And the smoke of their torment ascendeth up for ever and ever: and they have no rest day nor night, who worship the beast and his image, and whosoever receiveth the mark of his name. Revelation 14:9-11
But there are other “marks” in Scripture which are good:
For instance, Noah and his family “found grace in the eyes of the Lord” (Genesis 6:8) and were marked for deliverance. And only they, who placed their faith in God and went aboard the Ark, were rescued from the waters of judgment.
For instance, Israel was “marked” as God’s chosen people beginning with Abraham and were not only destined to be delivered from bondage in Egypt, but also to receive the Law and the land of Canaan (Genesis 12).
For instance, when the 10th plague came upon Egypt, the firstborn of those whose door posts were “marked” with the blood of the lamb escaped as the death angel passed by, or over, them (Exodus 12).
Likewise, in Ezekiel 9, God was preparing to slay or scatter most of the children of Judah (southern Israel) for their rebellion against God. But beforehand, He sent a messenger (man/angel) dressed in linen robes (priestly garments) to go through Jerusalem and mark those whose righteous souls were vexed with the wickedness of their fellow Jews (see Lot in II Peter 3:7). Then He commanded that those who were “marked” should be left alive. Later, at the end of the passage, despite the vast numbers of the slain, God declared that the messenger had done his job.
He cried also in mine ears with a loud voice, saying, Cause them that have charge over the city to draw near, even every man with his destroying weapon in his hand. And, behold, six men came from the way of the higher gate, which lieth toward the north, and every man a slaughter weapon in his hand; and one man among them was clothed with linen, with a writer’s inkhorn by his side: and they went in, and stood beside the brasen altar… And he called to the man clothed with linen, which had the writer’s inkhorn by his side; And the LORD said unto him, Go through the midst of the city, through the midst of Jerusalem, and set a mark upon the foreheads of the men that sigh and that cry for all the abominations that be done in the midst thereof. And to the others he said in mine hearing, Go ye after him through the city, and smite: let not your eye spare, neither have ye pity: Slay utterly old and young, both maids, and little children, and women: but come not near any man upon whom is the mark; and begin at my sanctuary. Then they began at the ancient men which were before the house… And, behold, the man clothed with linen, which had the inkhorn by his side, reported the matter, saying, I have done as thou hast commanded me. Ezekiel 9:1-6,11
Sadly, out of the 7.8 billion people alive today on planet earth, only a small fraction are born-again believers in Christ. When God’s judgment comes like it did in the days of Ezekiel, only those marked as God’s children through faith in the shed blood of Jesus Christ will escape – but praise God they will! In the New Testament we read of the sacrifice of the Son of God who gave His life for us upon a cross, that through Him we might be redeemed and received once again as God’s children.
My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow me: And I give unto them eternal life; and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of my hand. John 10:27, 28
There is therefore now no condemnation to them which are in Christ Jesus, who walk not after the flesh, but after the Spirit. Romans 8:1
And there shall in no wise enter into it [The New Jerusalem; Heaven] anything that defileth, neither whatsoever worketh abomination, or maketh a lie: but they which are written in the Lamb’s book of life. Revelation 21:27
But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name. John 1:12
Jesus (our High Priest and the One mediator between God and man) knows His sheep and they follow Him; He gives unto them eternal life, and they shall never be destroyed! They are “marked” for eternal life (John 3:16), sealed with the Holy Spirit of promise (Ephesians 1:13,14), washed in the blood of the Lamb (Revelation 1:5), and have their names inscribed in the Lambs Book of Life. They shall never perish. They are secure in Christ. They have passed from death unto life.
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life. John 5:24
The all-important question: “Are you one of them?”