power to tread on serpents...

[awaken]

Luke 10
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt (5661) you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

In this passage, what do you understand the serpents and scorpions are?

 

[Scarlett O.]

The short version?

....I don't know. Strong's Concordance says it's literal. I don't know. I haven't studied it.

But ...

...whatever temporary authority Jesus gave them, he gave them a warning with it. They had already come back on a "spiritual high" about their successes.

I find it much more interesting to ponder why Jesus warned them NOT to rejoice over His power flowing through them. The only thing that comes to me is that I've seen people who've experienced God's power in unbelievably obvious and incredible ways and I've seen how easy it is too marvel at the experience and not the God of the experience.

I guess if we are merely the instrument God uses to perform some of His great works we shouldn't be rejoicing in the instrument. Like patient saved by a doctor isn't going to praise the scapel or the stethoscope.

We should never exclaim "Look what we did in Jesus' Name!"

Scorpions and serpents. Literal or figurative.

I don't think it necessarily matters, but I'm interested in hearing what everyone has to say.

 

[awaken]

The short version?

....I don't know. Strong's Concordance says it's literal. I don't know. I haven't studied it.

But ...

...whatever temporary authority Jesus gave them, he gave them a warning with it. They had already come back on a "spiritual high" about their successes.

I find it much more interesting to ponder why Jesus warned them NOT to rejoice over His power flowing through them. The only thing that comes to me is that I've seen people who've experienced God's power in unbelievably obvious and incredible ways and I've seen how easy it is too marvel at the experience and not the God of the experience.

I guess if we are merely the instrument God uses to perform some of His great works we shouldn't be rejoicing in the instrument. Like patient saved by a doctor isn't going to praise the scapel or the stethoscope.

We should never exclaim "Look what we did in Jesus' Name!"

Scorpions and serpents. Literal or figurative.

I don't think it necessarily matters, but I'm interested in hearing what everyone has to say.

I agree that we should rejoice more in the fact that our name is written in heaven!

That said..in the same verse it says that the spirits were subject to them.
It also says in verse 18 ...AND over all power of the enemy. It seems to refer to scorpions and serpents being a power of the enemy.

When we look up serpents in the Bible it says in Exodus 7...
10 And Moses and Aaron went in unto Pharaoh, and they did so as the LORD had commanded: and Aaron cast down his rod before Pharaoh, and before his servants, and it became a serpent.
11 Then Pharaoh also called the wise men and the sorcerers: now the magicians of Egypt, they also did in like manner with their enchantments.
12 For they cast down every man his rod, and they became serpents: but Aaron's rod swallowed up their rods.

THis is a picture in the OT of the power of God over the power of satan (serpents being illustrated).

 

[Don]

Is there a point?

 

[Zenas]

In this passage, what do you understand the serpents and scorpions are?

The serpents and scorpions are probably literal. Cf. Acts 28 where Paul is not harmed by the snake bite he received on Malta.

 

[awaken]

Is there a point?

A better understanding of God's Word! Do you have an input? Do you agree or disagree with what is posted so far?

 

[awaken]

The serpents and scorpions are probably literal. Cf. Acts 28 where Paul is not harmed by the snake bite he received on Malta.

But his disciples also heard Jesus speaking of the Pharisees as serpents...

Matthew 23
29 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! because ye build the tombs of the prophets, and garnish the sepulchres of the righteous,
30 And say, If we had been in the days of our fathers, we would not have been partakers with them in the blood of the prophets.
31 Wherefore ye be witnesses unto yourselves, that ye are the children of them which killed the prophets.
32 Fill ye up then the measure of your fathers.
33 Ye serpents, ye generation of vipers, how can ye escape the damnation of hell?

 

[Scarlett O.]

Luke 10
17 And the seventy returned again with joy, saying, Lord, even the devils are subject unto us through thy name.
18 And he said unto them, I beheld Satan as lightning fall from heaven.
19 Behold, I give unto you power to tread on serpents and scorpions, and over all the power of the enemy: and nothing shall by any means hurt (5661) you.
20 Notwithstanding in this rejoice not, that the spirits are subject unto you; but rather rejoice, because your names are written in heaven.

In this passage, what do you understand the serpents and scorpions are?

Strong's (I know it's not the end-all, be-all) says that "serpents" is the same word in this passage and when Jesus called the religious leaders serpents. And the same word as when he says for them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

It also says the the ancients used the word to symbolize cunning.

Just some food for thought.

 

[awaken]

Strong's (I know it's not the end-all, be-all) says that "serpents" is the same word in this passage and when Jesus called the religious leaders serpents. And the same word as when he says for them to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.

It also says the the ancients used the word to symbolize cunning.

Just some food for thought.

Thanks! That helps! I think I leaning more toward the serpents not being literal in Luke 10! But I am still searching for the greater evidence in scripture!

 

[Revmitchell]

A better understanding of God's Word! Do you have an input? Do you agree or disagree with what is posted so far?

yea, you have and end game and that is what is being inquired of. Don't really believe your end game is simply a better understanding of God's word.

 

[Revmitchell]

Thanks! That helps! I think I leaning more toward the serpents not being literal in Luke 10! But I am still searching for the greater evidence in scripture!

That would make it easier for you to hold on to your other false doctrines wouldn't it. That way you do not have to explain why that is not happening today. Or even why you do not engage in it.

 

[Scarlett O.]

That would make it easier for you to hold on to your other false doctrines wouldn't it. That way you do not have to explain why that is not happening today. Or even why you do not engage in it.

Oh, ..... well, let me clarify my posts then for awaken.

I believe that Christ ordained these particular 70 men to have power over supernatural things and gave them the warning He did to not rejoice in having that ability, but rather rejoice in being saved.

I do not believe that Christians in general are anointed with this power.

That particular power to perform those incredible supernatural things were for a purpose. The same purpose that Jesus had in exercising that power Himself.

It was to bring light to the fact that Jesus who He claimed to be.

Today, we have that power inside the Bible and the Word. That's all we need.

There may be occasional people for whom God uses in a special way like that, but it's rare. And they - like the men Jesus anointed - should NEVER, EVER rejoice in it.

 

[awaken]

Mark 16
17 And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues;
18 They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
19 So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
20 And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen.

Well, now we come to the verse that led me to my search! THis does not say certain individuals. It says them that believe! THat would include all believers!

It was to confirm the Word! Not the individual!

The disciples would understand here what Jesus was speaking of if we go back and reference the serpents in previous verses posted.

We can also see a reference to it in...
Revelation 9
17 And thus I saw the horses in the vision, and them that sat on them, having breastplates of fire, and of jacinth, and brimstone: and the heads of the horses were as the heads of lions; and out of their mouths issued fire and smoke and brimstone.
18 By these three was the third part of men killed, by the fire, and by the smoke, and by the brimstone, which issued out of their mouths.
19 For their power is (5748) in their mouth, and in their tails: for their tails were like unto serpents, and had heads, and with them they do hurt.
20 And the rest of the men which were not killed by these plagues yet repented not of the works of their hands, that they should not worship devils, and idols of gold, and silver, and brass, and stone, and of wood: which neither can see, nor hear, nor walk:
21 Neither repented they of their murders, nor of their sorceries, nor of their fornication, nor of their thefts.

Serpents all through the Bible refer to something bad..not good!

 

[awaken]

Oh, ..... well, let me clarify my posts then for awaken.

I believe that Christ ordained these particular 70 men to have power over supernatural things and gave them the warning He did to not rejoice in having that ability, but rather rejoice in being saved.

I do not believe that Christians in general are anointed with this power.

That particular power to perform those incredible supernatural things were for a purpose. The same purpose that Jesus had in exercising that power Himself.

It was to bring light to the fact that Jesus who He claimed to be.

Today, we have that power inside the Bible and the Word. That's all we need.

There may be occasional people for whom God uses in a special way like that, but it's rare. And they - like the men Jesus anointed - should NEVER, EVER rejoice in it.

Your post were plain to me! If you read Mark 16 above it was to confirm the WORD not the man!

I do agree that they should rejoice in Jesus not the signs!

 

[awaken]

yea, you have and end game and that is what is being inquired of. Don't really believe your end game is simply a better understanding of God's word.

Look who showed up to discuss scriptures with us???
I do not see your input as far as the scipture! Just ridicule!

 

[awaken]

That would make it easier for you to hold on to your other false doctrines wouldn't it. That way you do not have to explain why that is not happening today. Or even why you do not engage in it.

No, I search out all my doctrines! I always go with the greater evidence in scriptures! WITHOUT IGNORING OTHER SCRIPTURES!

 

[awaken]

Here is another scriptue with serpents mentioned...

NU 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery SERPENTS among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
NU 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the SERPENTS from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

 

[DHK]

Here is another scriptue with serpents mentioned...

NU 21:6 And the LORD sent fiery SERPENTS among the people, and they bit the people; and much people of Israel died.
NU 21:7 Therefore the people came to Moses, and said, We have sinned, for we have spoken against the LORD, and against thee; pray unto the LORD, that he take away the SERPENTS from us. And Moses prayed for the people.

But this has nothing to do with Mark 16. I think you know that.
This is the type of allegorization that Origen introduced, and Augustine popularized. Origen was a heretic even by RCC standards. Is this who you follow? The passage is literal. It was part of the "signs and wonders" given to the apostles of the first century, that are no longer for today.

Harp as you will but these signs have ceased. You can't perform them and have no evidence that you can or will. So why bring it up? If you are not going to give a demonstration of the truthfulness of the verse or ask any of your cohorts to do the same (Drink some Draino), then admit the verse is for the apostles of the first century. Why keep harping on it? The gifts have ceased. You can't demonstrate them. You have no evidence that they are continuing. If you did you would provide it. We call it fraud.

 

[Yeshua1]

No, I search out all my doctrines! I always go with the greater evidence in scriptures! WITHOUT IGNORING OTHER SCRIPTURES!

You filter the bible thru charasmatic tinted glasses though, so you come to the text with preconceived understandings, and read them into the text accordingly!

 

[awaken]

You filter the bible thru charasmatic tinted glasses though, so you come to the text with preconceived understandings, and read them into the text accordingly!

Well..your preconceived understanding comes from man's teaching, right? So what makes your interpretation better? I am sharing all the scriptures that serpents are mentioned in the Bible.

So you like others want to ridicule instead of addressing the scriptures!