| Author | Message | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 366 Registered: 2-2006 |
A Snake in My Kitchen! Yesterday morning I was making Sabbath Bread and talking with my friend on the phone when the corner of my eye caught a movement in the pantry doorway. It Was A SNAKE! Now folks, this was not a big snake. In fact, some might call him a cute little guy, But I don't think ANY snake is cute - especially not in my kitchen!  I yelled into the phone. My friend told me to go get my husband who was sleeping in the other room, But I knew it would not do to take my eyes off that snake. No! I would have to kill it myself. Well, I did! The blade of my very best chopping knife is broken from its handle (that's what happens when you use a knife for an axe!) And the snake is DEAD! I was regaling my parents with the story on the phone this morning. My dad had heard enough and gotten off. My mom and I still were giggling and laughing like schoolgirls. Mom said we'll love snakes in heaven. I said I think it would take more than heaven to make me love a snake! Then mom said, "They're going to be beautiful and have wings." Well, I was in no mood for winged snakes! "Mom!" I exclaimed, "Slithering snakes are bad enough. I don't think snakes that can fly around is a very fun idea of heaven. If I think about that I might not want to go there." Well, we both had a good laugh at the thought of dodging dive-bomber snakes, but I've been thinking about it since, and wondering where my mom got this idea. I know that the serpent was smart and God cursed him in Genesis 3 and said he would be made to crawl upon his belly. Genesis 3:1 - The serpent was the shrewdest of all the wild animals the Lord God had made. One day he asked the woman, “Did God really say you must not eat the fruit from any of the trees in the garden?” I remembered the Blue Bible Stories telling about the beautiful serpent. I figured that came from EGW, so I went to look. Sure enough, there are several references like this: The serpent was a beautiful creature, with wings; and while flying through the air, his appearance was bright, resembling burnished gold. He did not go upon the ground, but went from place to place through the air, and ate fruit like man.[ST, January 16, 1879 par. 23] So I Have Two Questions: 1 - Are we told somewhere in Scripture about this beautiful creature with wings Thanks In Advance. Pegg  **I have also posted this question on CARM. Apologies for the redundancy to those who post in both places. | ||
| Bskillet Registered user Username: Bskillet Post Number: 582 Registered: 8-2008 |
The implication of Gen. 3:14 is that the snake did not crawl on its belly before the fall. But, the Bible does not indicate what it was like. Christians may speculate that it was winged. I doubt Ellen was the first to say so. The difference between Christian speculation and Ellenisms, is that Ellen falsely claimed to know this stuff from divine revelation. | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5513 Registered: 9-2006  |
Hey, it depends on what kind of snake it is. If its an Adventist snake, its deadly poison. If its a Baptist snake, it'll dry up and blow away before it gets to you. If its a Pentecostal snake, it will either talk you to death or make a holynest out of you. If its a Lutheran snake, it'll milk your cow and make your coffee for you. If its a Methodist snake, it'll die trying to figure out the best way to get to you. If its a Catholic snake it,ll fry from spontaneous combustion. If its and independent snake, it'll crawl around in confusion. If its a CARM snake, you ought to feel at home with it, it'll argue itself to death. If its a FaF snake, it'll try to find a church to rest in. But you ought to at least try to ascertain what kind of snake it is before snuffing its lights out. | ||
| Raven Registered user Username: Raven Post Number: 1074 Registered: 7-2004  |
Interesting question about snakes. The Bible doesn't say what snakes will look like in the Heaven or the New Earth, although I suppose it could be concluded that all creation will have the mar/curse of sin removed and be like originally created. As far as whether snakes originally had wings, the Bible doesn't give specifics about that but only says the curse is they will crawl on the ground, implying they used to have a different type of mobility. Several years ago, we ended up with a pet snake, which we agreed to take from my m-i-l's best friend. This was a 4 ft boa constrictor who had been raised from birth by this lady and was geriatric by this point. We had him for almost 3 years before having him put to sleep. Having to be his primary caretaker although it wasn't the original plan, he taught me not to be afraid of snakes. He was really a very shy, mild snake who was afraid of live mice. Ok, long story that I won't get into the details about. The interesting thing about our snake that his previous owner pointed out to us is that he had tiny little feet with toes and little claws near the end of him, so tiny you'd never notice - they were partially retracted into his body. His owners said rainbow boa constrictors are the only type snake that has this. She is a never-been-SDA Christian, and told me this fact gave credence to the Bible's description of the curse of the snake - she too believes the snakes were originally different in mobility. At the time I was staunch SDA and told her about the idea they might have had wings previously, but she thought legs/feet were more likely. (Message edited by Raven on September 13, 2009) | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 367 Registered: 2-2006 |
You know, I've thought of this often. It is very, very different to believe that she saw this stuff in vision. For the Ellen-believer, what she saw is just as reliable as what is written in the Bible. They have no reason to question it. When one accepts that she received visions from God then he must take her additions to the Bible at face value. I remember frequently discussing how very fortunate we were (over ordinary Christians) to have all this extra insight. Here's another example of her use of this "insight". "In order to accomplish his work unperceived, Satan chose to employ as his medium the serpent--a disguise well adapted for his purpose of deception. The serpent was then one of the wisest and most beautiful creatures on the earth. It had wings, and while flying through the air presented an appearance of dazzling brightness, having the color and brilliancy of burnished gold. Resting in the rich-laden branches of the forbidden tree and regaling itself with the delicious fruit, it was an object to arrest the attention and delight the eye of the beholder. Thus in the garden of peace lurked the destroyer, watching for his prey." Patriarchs and Prophets 53 I really want to know if she says that the serpent will be forgiven and reinstated. I think that she does -- or maybe it's just New England SDA lore??? Pegg | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 368 Registered: 2-2006 |
Very funny River! You made me laugh. River - It was in my kitchen! If you take time to look for his license plate he'll get away, Then I won't be able to stand in front of my stove or open the refrig without having nightmares. We did try to look him up on line, but that was after he was dead. We couldn't make out much, though, because apparently baby snakes have different markings from adults. (That's my story and I'm sticking too it, because the adult that it looked MOST like was a Water Moccasin. ) I said I was going to take him to church and get the guys to look at him to see if they knew what kind he was, but my husband wouldn't let me do it. Pegg | ||
| River Registered user Username: River Post Number: 5515 Registered: 9-2006 |
Well...if you had of taken him to church and they baptized him, that would have given you a clue into the mystery. If He dried up and blew away before you got home you would have known for certain. If the snake started using proof text, that would have been a clue, if he claimed he only et vegies, you would have known for certain. I feel that you didn't try hard enough here, though not to make you feel condemned, most women are afraid of snakes and that makes you normal. They especially don't like them underfoot in their Kitchens so we'll have to forgive this grave oversight on your part. All kidding aside Pegg, frankly I would have killed him and then looked his progeny up on line. River | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 369 Registered: 2-2006 |
Hey Raven! Thanks for that story. That really IS interesting. You got me wanting to go dig that baby out of the trash can and look at his tummy. I've heard that boa constrictors are shy, too. When we were in Africa visiting my in-laws we stayed over one night with some other missionaries. They had a tub and running water. This was a great luxury, and I was thrilled to be able to give my 5-year old a bath. Just as we were about to go into the bathroom, my husband came up and told me that the missionary had told him to tell me not to be alarmed by the boa constrictor that lived under the tub. Well, I was freaked! My missionary-kid husband got the biggest kick out of it. I noticed, though that he didn't leave us alone in the bathroom - and NO ONE went to the bathroom during the night! Pegg | ||
| 8thday Registered user Username: 8thday Post Number: 1195 Registered: 11-2007  |
If anyone has an Adam Clarke Commentary set he says the word for "serpent" there in the Hebrew is very uncertain. He goes into quite a long explanation of how it could possibly be an orangutan!! haha. Yeah. Very interesting theory to read I must say. River, I can already hear you telling me what to do with that set of books!! lol. (Message edited by 8thday on September 13, 2009) | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 376 Registered: 2-2006 |
Oh My! The First Tarzan! | ||
| Jrt Registered user Username: Jrt Post Number: 838 Registered: 10-2008 |
What a great story, Pegg. You sure had me laughing. Keri | ||
| Helovesme2 Registered user Username: Helovesme2 Post Number: 2180 Registered: 8-2004  |
Speaking of snakes, we just found two out on a porch. One got away, but the other is now on the way to my sister's biology class to be identified. We managed to catch it in a quart jar. They were quite small. A matched pair - perhaps they hatched out this spring. Both of them were grayish with brownish gray splotches. Neither of them tried threatening, they just wanted to get away. My guess is some type of rat snake, but I'll be interested to hear what my sister finds out! (Message edited by helovesme2 on September 14, 2009) | ||
| Psalm107v2 Registered user Username: Psalm107v2 Post Number: 426 Registered: 10-2008  |
A few months back I was talking with an SDA acquaintance of mine who was adamant that "Sister White" was correct about the winged snakes. He said that either EGW was right, a liar or a lunatic and he must believe that she was not the latter two. This man is a scientist, brilliant and has me digging in the word and doing all kinds of research when we get into our debates because he is so well versed on the Bible-however he is very well versed in his error too and would rather believe that snakes were flying (despite the lack of evidence) than even think his prophet could be wrong. God help him | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 382 Registered: 2-2006 |
Here is the answer Pastor Kevin Morgan gave to my questions over on carm. My Questions: Pastor Morgan's Reply: There you have it, folks. I think Kevin would know if anyone does, and I'm quite sure he did some searches, as did I and several other folks. Enoch - I Guess Your Friend Has A Choice To Make Now. Pegg | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7467 Registered: 3-2004  |
Pegg, a snake in your kitchen. EEEEEKK!!!!! You were brave to kill it. Diana L | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 385 Registered: 2-2006 |
What else could I do, Diana? Pegg | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7468 Registered: 3-2004 |
Capture it in a box and take it outside!!!! You were still brave and I admire you. Diana L | ||
| Pegg Registered user Username: Pegg Post Number: 388 Registered: 2-2006 |
Not hardly! That thing could move like lightening. It would have been under my washer in a second! Probably would have made a nest and had BABIES IN MY PANTRY next spring!!!!! Pegg (Message edited by pegg on September 14, 2009) | ||
| Flyinglady Registered user Username: Flyinglady Post Number: 7470 Registered: 3-2004 |
I am sitting here laughing at our conversation. I am thinking I probably would do the same as you if that had happened to me. I have killed field mice that got in my mobile home when I lived in Canada. I lived out in the country and finally got all the holes plugged after I caught a couple in a mouse trap, then had to pick up that thing and put it in the trash outside. Yuck!!!!! Diana L |
