Monday, May 7, 2012
MARK 16
Mark 16 17-18: This passage is one of the most contentious in the church. However, I have heard of a case where a Christian on trial for his faith drank poison and lived. The Book of Acts records an incident where a snake attached itself to Paul's hand but he lived. I have heard of instances of people speaking in tongues in a recognised human language and a person who was with them who spoke that language understanding what they were saying.
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What has been personally revealed to me about the matter of poison is that it is actually referring to His chosen servants being able to be around things that would poison the faith of others. The deal with handling snakes is in reference to the same thing {Romans 3:13}, with more of an emphasis upon dealing with the devil and his demons, which does not always involve casting them out {2 Corinthians 12:7-10}, and speaking in tongues has more to do with speaking of things that are far beyond the understanding of the Spiritual immature than anything else {1 Corinthians 14:18-21}. Although, saying something in one language while someone else is hearing it in another can certainly happen, as it did on the day of Pentecost {Acts 2:1-6}.
I must admit that 1 Corinthians 14:22 still causes me some confusion. For it says that speaking in tongues is a sign for unbelievers while the rest of the passage {23-25} says that speaking in tongues will only convince them that they are witnessing a bunch of lunatics (paraphrasing here), but prophesying will help convict their hearts. Now, it has been revealed to me that our Heavenly Father had His Holy Scriptures placed into written form in such a way that allows as many as will to use them to justify just about anything they want while He faithfully explains to all who will but humbly accept what He actually says is absolutely true what they are really saying, but that 22nd verse appears to be just plain wrong, which is something that I am very reluctant to believe.
I won't deny that this passage in Mark 16 could have that interpretation, but that does not exclude the instances of the more literal types of these things happening throughout history.
Yes, there is no denying such things as the Apostle Paul being bitten by deadly asp and not suffering any ill consequences, along with other historical accounts like that. I should have added that what I have been given to say is meant to address questions about purposely drinking poison and literally taking up rattlers as a show of faith as some do to their detriment--regardless of whether they physically survive or not. Now, it is entirely possible for our Heavenly Father to instruct one of His chosen servants, which could be anyone willing to answer His call, to actually drink poison to help prove that He does indeed exist to those who do not want to believe it, but for most part, those who regularly do such things as part of their worship service are not doing it at His request. The same goes for those who take up snakes in their churches.
I would have to agree with you that these snakehandlers and people like that are doing it out of pride and vanity.
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