[Mark17]

I favor the former evangelical view, though the more basic issue is the inspiration of verses 9–20. I believe these verse are divinely inspired.

Ok, I am just bewildered by the snakes and drinking poison. I am not planning on doing either one. 🙃😁🤔 Anyway, it’s after midnight where I am, so it’s time to bow out for a bit. 😴
By the way, since I am a faithful fanboi, I am having fun playing with my new IPhone X. 👍😂

[aMorePerfectUnion]

“They will” may mean it did happen in history, as the Gospel spread... as opposed to a continuing blanket promise of some type.

Mark, catch this rattler and see if he be holy!!!!!

[boatbums]

In Acts 28:3-5, we have an account of the Apostle Paul accidentally being bitten by a snake:

And when Paul had gathered a bundle of sticks, and laid [them] on the fire, there came a viper out of the heat, and fastened on his hand. And when the barbarians saw the [venomous] beast hang on his hand, they said among themselves, No doubt this man is a murderer, whom, though he hath escaped the sea, yet vengeance suffereth not to live. And he shook off the beast into the fire, and felt no harm.

Perhaps this account was added by Mark, who was a disciple of Paul and who was inspired by the Holy Spirit to write that down. The lesson that gets taught is that when we are in God's will, then only what He has approved will happen to us. No one can harm us unless that is part of God's plan. It certainly is NOT any kind of test of faith to tempt God with snake handling or poison drinking any more than jumping off tall building.