Why are the snake-handling verses not valid for Christians today?

Les explains that he would not tell his congregation they can pick up poisonous snakes, even though some Kentucky Hill people do it, because many do not get away with it. He says it is not valid and will not work, and you cannot force it. The snake-handling verses were part and parcel of Christ and His earthly ministry and were appropriate in the Jewish economy, since that is exactly what He had been doing. But they are not appropriate today because the Jewish program has slipped off the scene and something new has come in. Les warns not to force these verses, just as with other parts of the Gospel and Old Testament. Many Gospel applications remain true for us, but things written directly to the Jew under the Law are not for us.