SUPERNATURAL SIGNS
MARK 16:15-18
MARK 16:15-18 NKJV
15 And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. 16 He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned. 17 And these signs will follow those who believe: In My name they will cast out demons; they will speak with new tongues; 18 they will take up serpents; and if they drink anything deadly, it will by no means hurt them; they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover."
OBSERVATION:
Jesus is ready to ascend back up to heaven. These are some of His last words to His disciples as He gave them direction for the future and insight into what would be available to them.
Go into all the world and preach the gospel to everyone. The ones who hear and believe and act on that belief will be saved. The responsibility was not on Jesus' followers to cause people to believe. Their job was to preach, and individuals would have a choice.
And there would be signs following those who believe.
In Jesus' name, they will take authority over demonic forces. They will speak with new tongues referencing the Acts 2:4 experience of the Holy Spirit's baptism.
They will have divine protection. The idea of picking up snakes was not the objective. Rather it was protection from deadly things, which would include poison.
They will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover.
The early church took Jesus' message quite literally. In the book of Acts, we see a Holy Spirit empowered church living out Jesus' words.
People were being delivered from demonic powers speaking with new tongues and laying hands on sick people. All of these things occurred while they preached the gospel all over the world.
APPLICATION:
These signs are still happening today all over the world.
The gospel is being preached even in areas that have been historically closed. And in many parts of the world, these supernatural signs are taking place. Often these are places where people have not been taught that these supernatural signs have passed away. The signs follow those who believe.
Education and modern culture do not make Jesus' words of no effect. To those who believe, these signs are still taking place. And these signs point to a risen Savior who is King of Kings and Lord of Lords. The signs glorify Him and bless humanity.
PRAYER:
Lord, may we see more of Your supernatural signs as we proclaim Your gospel.