Most of the foundations of the different doctrines to include the "mark" are found in Genesis used to set the stage for later. the mark of the beast is simply natural unconverted man (no faith)
I would offer there is no reason to look at the mark any differently than that of the "mark of Cain" a beast of the field, created from the dust of the field .
Cain saw no value in the unseen things of God not having the faith to believe God. When his brother Abel offered the gospel because Cain had no faith it became out of sight out of mind and Cain murdered the misperceived competition Abel, not believing God witnessed the event..(walking by sight) Satan the murderer from the beginning.
Like Esau selling the gospel truth for a bowl of soup both are reckoned as fools (no God in their heart). The penalty as restless wanderers receiving no rest that come from the gospel . Their hearts remained hard all their life as they carried out the death sentence day by day, a living hell without the comfort of Christ giving them rest as he does soften our hearts.
Proverbs 23:23 Buy the truth,
(gospel) and sell it not; also wisdom, and instruction, and understanding.
And Cain
talked with Abel his brother: and it came to pass, when they were in the field, that Cain rose up against Abel his brother, and slew him. And the Lord said unto Cain, Where is Abel thy brother? And he said, I know not: Am I my brother's keeper? And he said, What hast thou done? the voice of thy brother's blood crieth unto me from the ground. And now art thou cursed from the earth, which hath opened her mouth to receive thy brother's blood from thy hand; When thou tillest the ground, it shall not henceforth yield unto thee her strength;
a fugitive and a vagabond shalt thou be in the earth. And Cain said unto the Lord,
My punishment is greater than I can bear. Behold, thou hast driven me out this day from the face of the earth; and from thy face shall I be hid; and I shall be a fugitive and a vagabond in the earth; and it shall come to pass, that every one that findeth me shall slay me.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. Geneisis 4
I think one of the reasons for many looking for a outward sign to seek after as a wonder is in how we view the word hell . As to whether or not it is living work of suffering like that of Cain but rather something that occurs after we shed the bodies of death. When looking at the portion God made sure he did not die prematurely to lessen the punishment.
Cain's punishement which he said was greater than he could bear . Christ bore for us that living hell when he suffered . Christ as eternal God cannot die.
