VISIONS AND DREAMS
"Now it came to pass ... that the heavens were opened
and I saw visions of God."
(Ezekiel 1:1)
Copyright © 1976, 1977, 1997 by Diane S. Dew
I. A vision may be either true or false.
A. False prophets receive visions by the deceit of their own hearts.
Jeremiah
23:25-28; 29:8
Ezekiel
13:7-9
Zechariah
10:2
B. But it must also be recognized that God has spoken and revealed Himself to man through dreams and visions.
Numbers
12:6
Jeremiah
23:28
C. The authenticity and source of a dream or vision may be determined when we recognize who it is that receives the glory for it.
Deuteronomy
13:1-5
Daniel
2:19-23 (Daniel blessed God.)
II. God does not give visions just for the sake of giving visions. There are specific purposes for which God speaks to man in this way.
A. Assurance, encouragement, and comfort.
Genesis
15:1; 28:12-17; 46:2
Acts
18:9-11
B. Direction, instruction, and guidance.
Genesis
46:2
Job
33:15-18
Matthew
1:20, 24; 2:12, 13, 19
Acts
9:10-12, etc.
C. Exhortation and correction.
Genesis
20:3, 6; 31:24
Job
33:15-18
D. Foreshadowing of the future.
Genesis
28:12
Daniel
2:28, 29
Matthew
1:20, 24
Luke
1:11, 22
E. Revelation of the plan and purposes of God.
Genesis
37:5-9
Daniel
7:1-2, 7, 13, 15-16; 8:1-2, 15-16
Revelation
4:1-2, etc.
III. How are visions received?
A. A vision can be revealed to one person, while all others present may see nothing.
Daniel 10:7
B. Scripture mentions several times in which a vision was received while the per son was in prayer.
1. Zechariah in the temple.
Luke 1:8-23
2. Peter on the housetop in Joppa.
Acts 10:10, 11; 11:5
3. Paul in the temple.
Acts 22:17
4. Daniel.
Daniel 9:20, 21
C. Many times God will speak to man in a vision in his sleep.
Genesis
20:3; 28:11, 12, 16; 31:24; 41:1-7, 11: 46:2
I Kings
3:5
2 Chronicles
1:7
Job
33:15-16
Daniel
2:28; 7:1-2, 7; 13; 4:5, 10, 13
Zechariah
1:8
Matthew
1:20, 24
D. Visions have been received by a person while he was "slain in the spirit" (that is, "under the power" of God) Ezekiel chapters 1-3; 8:3 Revelation 1:17, etc .
E. But Ezekiel and Daniel both individually received visions while just sitting by a river (Ezekiel 1:1; 43:3; Daniel 10:4-8). Ezekiel also received a vision when he was just sitting in his house with the elders (ch. 8:1-3), and another time while he was in the plain (ch. 3:22-23, etc.).
F. The human reaction to such supernatural visions is often one of great fear and dread, and the experience itself may completely drain one of all his physical strength.
Ezekiel
3:23; 43:3
Daniel
5:6, 9; 7:15, 28; 8:27; 10:8-9, 15-17
Luke
1:12
IV. Some dreams or visions, if they are symbolic in nature, require an interpretation.
Genesis
41:12-13
Daniel
2:16, 19; 7:15-16; 8:15-16
Acts
10:17
A. An interpretation may be given in sleep, even as visions are often received.
Daniel 2:19
B. The interpretation of a vision or dream cannot be sought of those involved in witchcraft or divination.
Genesis
41:8, 24
Daniel
2:1-2, 10, 11, 27, 28; 4:7; 5:7, 8
C. Nor can it be figured out with the understanding.
Genesis
41:16
Daniel
2:30
D. It is purely a gift from God.
Genesis
41:15, 16
Daniel
1:17; 2:1, 2, 10, 11, 20-23, 27, 28
V. In these latter days, with the outpouring of the Spirit of God in our midst, God is fulfilling the prophecy of Joel with an increasing number of visions and dreams occurring among His people.
Joel
2:28
Acts
2:17
Copyright © 1976, 1977, 1997 by Diane S. Dew