Page 74 - The Mark of the Beast

their fat portions. And Yahweh had regard for Abel and for his offering; but for Cain
and for his offering He had no regard. So Cain became very angry and his
countenance fell. Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Why are you angry? And why has your
countenance fallen? If you do well, will not your countenance be lifted up? And if
you do not do well, sin is crouching at the door; and its desire is for you, but you
must master it."

The beast nature is essentially selfish, and seeks its own welfare while considering
little about the welfare of others. Cain was jealous of his brother Abel, for Yahweh showed
more consideration to his offering than Cain’s. The beast nature within was manifesting.
Something that did not look like God was present within Cain’s being. An evil that did not
originate in God was dwelling in Cain’s flesh, and Yahweh warned Cain that He must
master it.
The language that Yahweh used in speaking to Cain alludes to the beast nature.
Yahweh declared, “sin is crouching at the door,” and the image here is that of a wild beast
that is prepared to spring upon its victim. The words would be fitting of a lion that lies
crouching as it awaits its prey, and truly there was something bestial that was seeking an
opportunity to overcome Cain.
Yahweh also spoke to Cain and said, “You must master it.” This command is a mirror
of the words He had spoken to Cain’s parents before they sinned.

Genesis 1:28
Replenish the earth, and subdue it; and rule over the fish of the sea and over the
birds of the sky and over every living thing that moves on the earth.

To master the sin that sought to have dominion over him, Cain would have to subdue it and
rule over it. Like his parents, however, Cain failed to heed the command of God and he too
listened to the voice of the beast. This time, however, the beast was not external to man, for
the poison of the serpent had entered mankind’s flesh and it now performed its deadly work
from inside his being.

Genesis 4:8
And it came about when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his
brother and killed him.

Having failed to subdue and rule over the beast within, Cain acted in a manner that
was contrary to the divine nature. Far from laying down his life for his brother, Cain rose
up and slew him. The very words used here are once more a picture of what occurs within
sinful man when he does not subdue and rule over the beast. We are told that “Cain rose
up.” Cain’s flesh rose up and gained dominion over him. What a contrast this is to the Son
of God who “laid down” His life for others.
Yahweh once more approached Cain to confront him with his wickedness.

Genesis 4:9-15
Then Yahweh said to Cain, "Where is Abel your brother?" And he said, "I do not
know. Am I my brother's keeper?" He said, "What have you done? The voice of your
brother's blood is crying to Me from the ground. Now you are cursed from the