Mark 16: 15-20 is about a special period following the resurection of the Lord when signs were accomplished by Jesus' Jewish disciples (pork-abstaining, bearded, sabboth keeping, temple worshiping Jews) to demonstrate to their fellow Jews all over the world that Jesus is in fact their messiah. The "Signs" are for the Jews since they "require" signs. The genitles don't. The gentiles require preaching, and yes, our obligation is to live holy lives, study the scriptures, and always be ready to give an answer for the hope that is in us.

Once this initial period was over (the end of Acts when Paul turns to Gentiles exclusively) the signs stopped. For example, Paul left people behind sick in his later journeys, Timothy was often sick, and Paul himself suffered ailments.

Speaking in other languages (other, or known tounges) is also a sign gift. The Gospel is not now preached by this method, but interpretation is required whenever a! nyone undertakes to do this. As for the "unknown tounges" - which is incomprehensible babling, this is frowned upon because it does not edify anybody. It is not to be confused with the Spirit's internal groanings which are in us and are such that they "cannot be uttered" - so any vocalization of them is also incorrect.

Today, those that attempt to manufacture the appearance of miraculous signs in their life do so as a way of validating and experiencing by emotion the Holy Spirit - they are misguided and headed for disapointment once the effect wears off. They need a new fix constantly, and have great stugles with their faith when a healing or some other miricles does not come through for them (i.e., "How come I am still sick and in debt? Am I living right? God must be judging me. Do I even have faith? Am I really saved?" etc.)

The choatic gatherings  and unholy lifestyle of some of these brethern is also evidence that this is not from the ! Lord. (I know what I'm talking about here - having been involved with the AG's for many years).

Praying "in the Spirit" or "being filled with the Spirit" and other such expressions should not now, in the Church age, be equated with a wild outburst of babling. They should be demonstrated by power (spiritual confidence), love, and sanity (not craziness!).

Once the gentile Church is removed at the rapture, God will turn again to Israel, and the Jews will witness these signs all over again, and even more intensively than at the first. This is the later rain - it falls upon the Jews, not the gentiles. The gentile world will also have a "signs and wonders" movement that will usher in antichrist.  It will be like Moses versus Pharo's magicians all over again.
 

Obviously, everything above is not the opinion of the charasmatics regarding Mark 16: 15-20. However, I have yet to see a charasmatic pick up a rattlesn! ake or drink arsnic to see what happens. Those leading "miricle crusades" today, if there  is any reality to the ministry, should go visit the cancer hospitals and mental institutions and empty them. But I've never heard of Benny Hinn or Oral Roberts doing that.

Keep it in prayer and may God show you the best way to understand Mark 16: 15-20.

- M