What does Zechariah 1:7 teach about God's communication through visions today? Setting the Scene • “On the twenty-fourth day of the eleventh month, the month of Shebat, in the second year of Darius, the word of the LORD came to the prophet Zechariah…” (Zechariah 1:7). • A specific date, a specific person, and a specific message—Scripture anchors God’s revelation in verifiable history. • The phrase “the word of the LORD came” shows that what follows is divine disclosure, not human imagination. God’s Use of Visions in Zechariah • Verse 7 introduces a series of night visions (1:8–6:15) that unfold God’s plans for His people. • The vision format underscores that God can choose extraordinary means to communicate (cf. Numbers 12:6). • Yet even in a visionary experience, Zechariah identifies the source as “the word of the LORD,” tying the vision to verbal revelation. What This Teaches About Visions Today • God remains free to speak however He wills (Acts 2:17), and He has used visions throughout redemptive history. • Hebrews 1:1-2 reminds us that God’s climactic revelation is in His Son and recorded in Scripture, giving us a fixed standard. • Therefore any modern vision: – Must agree with Scripture—God never contradicts Himself (Galatians 1:8). – Must exalt Christ, not the recipient (John 16:14). – Must bear good fruit consistent with the Spirit’s character (Matthew 7:16; Galatians 5:22-23). Safeguards Against Deception • Test every spirit (1 John 4:1). • Compare the content with the “prophetic word made more sure” of Scripture (2 Peter 1:19). • Remember warnings about self-generated visions (Jeremiah 23:16, 25). Living Responsively • Hold Scripture as the final authority while remaining open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. • If God chooses to give a vision, receive it humbly, test it thoroughly, and act only in harmony with the written Word. • Like Zechariah, be ready to record and relay God’s message faithfully, keeping the focus on His glory, not ours. |
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