Topical Encyclopedia Definition and Nature In the biblical context, visions are supernatural revelations given by God to individuals, often serving as a means of communication between the divine and human realms. These experiences can occur while the recipient is awake or in a dream-like state, and they often convey messages, guidance, or prophetic insight. Visions are distinct from dreams in that they are typically more vivid and are perceived as direct encounters with the divine. Old Testament Examples Visions are prevalent throughout the Old Testament, serving as a critical method through which God communicates with His prophets and chosen individuals. One of the earliest examples is found in Genesis 15:1, where God appears to Abram in a vision, saying, "Do not be afraid, Abram. I am your shield, your very great reward." This vision reassures Abram of God's protection and promises. The prophet Isaiah also experienced visions, as noted in Isaiah 1:1: "This is the vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah." Isaiah's visions often contained messages of judgment and hope for Israel. Ezekiel's ministry is marked by a series of profound visions, beginning with his inaugural vision by the Kebar River, where he sees the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 1:1-28). These visions are characterized by vivid imagery and symbolic actions, conveying God's messages to the exiled Israelites. New Testament Examples In the New Testament, visions continue to play a significant role in the unfolding of God's plan. The apostle Peter receives a vision in Acts 10:9-16, where a sheet containing various animals is lowered from heaven, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles in the early Christian community. This vision challenges Peter's understanding of Jewish dietary laws and signifies the breaking down of barriers between Jews and Gentiles. The apostle Paul also experiences visions that guide his missionary work. In Acts 16:9-10, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, which leads him to bring the Gospel to Europe. Additionally, Paul recounts a vision of being caught up to the third heaven in 2 Corinthians 12:1-4, emphasizing the profound and sometimes ineffable nature of these divine encounters. The Book of Revelation, attributed to the apostle John, is a series of apocalyptic visions that reveal the ultimate triumph of God over evil. Revelation 1:1 describes it as "the revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave Him to show His servants what must soon come to pass." These visions are rich in symbolism and provide hope and encouragement to persecuted Christians. Purpose and Function Visions in the Bible serve multiple purposes. They often provide guidance, as seen in the visions given to Paul and Peter, directing the early church's mission and outreach. They also serve as a means of revelation, unveiling divine mysteries and future events, as exemplified in the Book of Revelation. Furthermore, visions can be a source of encouragement and reassurance, as in the case of Abram's vision in Genesis 15. They affirm God's presence and promises, strengthening the faith of the recipient and the broader community. Discernment and Interpretation The Bible emphasizes the need for discernment in interpreting visions. Not all visions are from God, and the Scriptures warn against false prophets who claim to have divine visions (Jeremiah 23:16). The authenticity of a vision is often confirmed by its alignment with God's revealed word and its fulfillment in history. In the New Testament, the gift of discernment is highlighted as essential for understanding spiritual experiences (1 Corinthians 12:10). The early church relied on the guidance of the Holy Spirit and the counsel of mature believers to interpret visions and their implications for the community. Conclusion While the Bible does not provide a systematic theology of visions, it presents them as a legitimate and significant means of divine communication. Throughout both the Old and New Testaments, visions play a crucial role in revealing God's will, guiding His people, and unfolding His redemptive plan for humanity. Greek 3706. horasis -- the act of seeing, a vision, appearance ... Word Origin from horao Definition the act of seeing, a vision, appearance NASB Word Usage appearance (2), vision (1), visions (1). sight, vision. ... //strongsnumbers.com/greek2/3706.htm - 6k 4187. polutropos -- in many ways 1797. enupniazomai -- to dream 3701. optasia -- an appearing Strong's Hebrew 4238. Machazioth -- "visions," an Israelite... 4237, 4238. Machazioth. 4239 . "visions," an Israelite. Transliteration: Machazioth Phonetic Spelling: (makh-az-ee-oth') Short Definition: Mahazioth. ... /hebrew/4238.htm - 6k 2378. chazoth -- vision 2376. chezu -- vision, appearance 7203b. roeh -- (prophetic) vision 2372. chazah -- see, behold 4759a. marah -- vision 7723. shav -- emptiness, vanity 7200. raah -- to see 2384. chizzayon -- vision 2377. chazon -- vision Library Reflections on the visions. Interruption of the visions of the Passion by the Appearance of St ... The Trials and visions of Devout Youth May the Twenty-Fifth visions and Dreams Visions of Future Glory Visions of the Sacred Humanity, and of the Glorified Bodies. ... Visions, Revelations, and Locutions. Diversity of Dreams and visions Epicurus Thought Lightly of Them ... Like Dreams, Moreover, are Also Some visions of Persons Awake... Of visions. The Graces Our Lord Bestowed on the Saint. The Answers ... Thesaurus Visions (43 Occurrences)... Multi-Version Concordance Visions (43 Occurrences). ... Your sons and your daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions. Your old men will dream dreams. ... /v/visions.htm - 20k Night-visions (2 Occurrences) Dreams (34 Occurrences) Four (3139 Occurrences) Dreamer (4 Occurrences) Vision (106 Occurrences) Kebar (8 Occurrences) Living (3112 Occurrences) Iddo (14 Occurrences) Mahazioth (2 Occurrences) Resources Does God still give visions to people today? | GotQuestions.orgHow did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Is God giving people in closed countries dreams and visions to bring them to faith in Christ? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Concordance Visions (43 Occurrences)Acts 2:17 2 Corinthians 12:1 Genesis 46:2 Numbers 12:6 1 Samuel 3:1 2 Chronicles 9:29 2 Chronicles 26:5 Job 4:13 Job 7:14 Isaiah 1:1 Isaiah 28:7 Isaiah 30:10 Jeremiah 14:14 Jeremiah 23:16 Lamentations 2:9 Lamentations 2:14 Ezekiel 1:1 Ezekiel 11:24 Ezekiel 12:24 Ezekiel 13:6 Ezekiel 13:7 Ezekiel 13:8 Ezekiel 13:9 Ezekiel 13:16 Ezekiel 13:23 Ezekiel 21:29 Ezekiel 22:28 Ezekiel 40:2 Ezekiel 43:3 Daniel 1:17 Daniel 2:28 Daniel 4:5 Daniel 4:9 Daniel 4:10 Daniel 4:13 Daniel 7:1 Daniel 7:7 Daniel 7:13 Daniel 7:15 Hosea 12:10 Joel 2:28 Amos 1:1 Zechariah 10:2 Subtopics Visions: False Prophets Pretended to Have Seen Visions: Frequently Difficult and Perplexing to Those Who Received Visions: God Especially Made Himself Known to Prophets By Visions: God often Made Known his Will By Visions: Often Accompanied: A Representative of the Divine Person and Glory Visions: Often Accompanied: An Appearance of Angels Visions: Often Accompanied: An Appearance of Human Beings Visions: Often Accompanied: An Audible Voice from Heaven Visions: Often Communicated in a Trance Visions: Often Communicated in the Night Season Visions: Often Multiplied for the Benefit of the People Visions: Often Recorded for the Benefit of the People Visions: Sometimes Withheld for a Long Season Visions: The Prophets of God Skilled in Interpreting Visions: The Withholding of a Great Calamity Visions: To Daniel (See Chapters 7, 8, and 10 of Daniel) Visions: To Ezekiel (See Chapters 10, 40-48 of Ezekiel) Visions: To John (See Also Rev Chapters 4 - 22) Related Terms |
    |