Vision: A Mode of Revelation
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In the biblical context, a vision is a supernatural revelation given by God to individuals, often serving as a means of communication between the divine and human realms. Visions are distinct from dreams, as they typically occur when the recipient is awake and fully conscious. Throughout the Scriptures, visions play a crucial role in conveying God's will, guidance, and prophetic messages to His people.

Old Testament Instances

Visions are prevalent in the Old Testament, where they are often associated with prophets and significant figures. One of the earliest recorded visions is that of Abram, to whom God appeared in a vision, promising him a great reward and descendants as numerous as the stars (Genesis 15:1-5). This vision established the Abrahamic covenant, a foundational element of biblical theology.

The prophet Isaiah received a profound vision of the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, surrounded by seraphim, which marked the beginning of his prophetic ministry (Isaiah 6:1-8). This vision emphasized God's holiness and the call to prophetic service.

Ezekiel's visions are among the most vivid and symbolic in the Old Testament. His inaugural vision by the Kebar River included the appearance of four living creatures and the glory of the Lord (Ezekiel 1:1-28). These visions conveyed messages of judgment and restoration for Israel.

Daniel, another major prophet, experienced several visions that revealed future events and the coming of God's kingdom. In one vision, he saw four great beasts representing successive empires, culminating in the establishment of an everlasting dominion (Daniel 7:1-14).

New Testament Instances

In the New Testament, visions continue to serve as a mode of divine revelation. The apostle Peter received a vision of a sheet descending from heaven, filled with various animals, which taught him that God does not show favoritism and that the Gospel is for all people (Acts 10:9-16). This vision was pivotal in the early Church's understanding of Gentile inclusion.

The apostle Paul, formerly known as Saul, encountered a life-changing vision on the road to Damascus. A light from heaven flashed around him, and he heard the voice of Jesus, leading to his conversion and subsequent mission to the Gentiles (Acts 9:3-6).

The Book of Revelation, attributed to the apostle John, is a series of apocalyptic visions that reveal the ultimate triumph of God over evil. John describes being "in the Spirit" on the Lord's Day and receiving visions of heavenly worship, the Lamb of God, and the final judgment (Revelation 1:10-19).

Purpose and Characteristics

Visions in the Bible often serve several purposes: they provide guidance, deliver prophetic messages, reveal divine mysteries, and offer encouragement or warning. They are characterized by vivid imagery, symbolic elements, and a sense of divine authority. Recipients of visions are typically called to convey the message to others, often facing opposition or disbelief.

Theological Significance

From a theological perspective, visions underscore the belief in a God who actively communicates with His creation. They affirm the reality of the spiritual realm and the ongoing relationship between God and humanity. Visions also highlight the role of prophets and apostles as God's chosen instruments for revealing His purposes.

In summary, visions are a significant mode of revelation in the Bible, providing insight into God's character, His plans for humanity, and the unfolding of redemptive history. They demonstrate the continuity of God's communication from the Old Testament to the New Testament, affirming His sovereignty and the fulfillment of His promises.
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Numbers 12:6
And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the LORD will make myself known to him in a vision, and will speak to him in a dream.
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1 Samuel 3:1
And the child Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. And the word of the LORD was precious in those days; there was no open vision.
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2 Chronicles 26:5
And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the LORD, God made him to prosper.
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Psalm 89:19
Then you spoke in vision to your holy one, and said, I have laid help on one that is mighty; I have exalted one chosen out of the people.
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Proverbs 29:18
Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keeps the law, happy is he.
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Jeremiah 14:14
Then the LORD said to me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spoke to them: they prophesy to you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nothing, and the deceit of their heart.
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Jeremiah 23:16
Thus said the LORD of hosts, Listen not to the words of the prophets that prophesy to you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the LORD.
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Daniel 1:17
As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.
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Hosea 12:10
I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.
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Joel 2:28
And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit on all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:
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Obadiah 1:1
The vision of Obadiah. Thus said the Lord GOD concerning Edom; We have heard a rumor from the LORD, and an ambassador is sent among the heathen, Arise you, and let us rise up against her in battle.
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Habakkuk 2:2
And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain on tables, that he may run that reads it.
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Acts 2:17
And it shall come to pass in the last days, said God, I will pour out of my Spirit on all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:
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Library

Let us Now Examine the Conditions under which a Revelation May be ...
... in fact, the most natural and effectual mode of imparting ... speak of words in connection
with a revelation, we do ... also such, as in a dream or vision, may appear ...
/.../christianbookshelf.org/jerram/thoughts on a revelation/section 2 let us now.htm

The Phenomena at the Baptism, and their Import.
... It is true, we may imagine a symbolical vision to have been the medium ... certainly
be permitted to doubt the application of such a mode of revelation to Christ ...
/.../section 42 the phenomena at.htm

The Apocalypse.
... The subject-matter of the Apocalypse was given in direct vision"much of it, moreover ...
Inseparably connected with the peculiar mode of revelation in the ...
/.../barrows/companion to the bible/chapter xxxii the apocalypse.htm

The vision of Creation
... Nor must it be forgotten that this vision of creation ... 1. The revelation which it
gives is the truth, obscured ... unique in its teaching as to the mode of creation ...
/.../maclaren/expositions of holy scripture k/the vision of creation.htm

An Obscured vision
... the preaching of his Word, his supreme revelation is in ... say "My Jesus." The church
has lost her imperative mode. ... the church on fire that God grants a vision. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/chapman/and judas iscariot/an obscured vision.htm

Marcus' System Explained by Iren??us; Marcus' vision; the vision ...
... Marcus, imitating his teacher, himself also feigns a vision, imagining that ... gods
or of men, expressing herself after this mode: When first ... 738] [Revelation 3:14 ...
/.../the refutation of all heresies/chapter xxxvii marcus system explained by.htm

The Certainty of Sacred Theology
... from them, and prescribed to them a mode of religious ... But since a revelation has
been made in the word ... To constitute natural vision we know that, (beside an ...
/.../arminius/the works of james arminius vol 1/oration iii the certainty of.htm

Book Twelve the Mode of Creation and the Truth of Scripture. ...
... not coeternal with God, yet in its own mode eternal in ... to these two things when he
said, by divine revelation, In the ... It comes not from vision but from vanity. ...
/.../augustine/confessions and enchiridion/book twelve the mode of.htm

John i. 18
... ( Revelation 1:15.) The ... God forbid; but none knoweth Him as the Son knoweth Him.
As then many [405] have seen Him in the mode of vision permitted to them ...
/.../homilies on the gospel of st john and hebrews/homily xv john i 18.htm

Chapter xv
... It has further revelation of import to Abram ... of procedure is quite different from
the mode of offering ... having transpired in the course of the "vision." What, do ...
//christianbookshelf.org/leupold/exposition of genesis volume 1/chapter xv.htm

Resources
What are the meanings of the various visions in the book of Zechariah? | GotQuestions.org

How did God use dreams and visions in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org

Does God still give visions to people today? | GotQuestions.org

Vision: Dictionary and Thesaurus | Clyx.com

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Subtopics

Vision

Vision of Abraham: Concerning his Descendants

Vision of Amos of a Plumb-Line

Vision of Amos of Fire

Vision of Amos of Grasshoppers

Vision of Amos of Summer Fruit

Vision of Amos of the Temple

Vision of Ananias of Christ

Vision of Balaam in a Trance

Vision of Cornelius, the Centurion of an Angel

Vision of Daniel of the Ancient of Days

Vision of Daniel of the Angel

Vision of Daniel of the Four Beasts

Vision of Daniel of the Ram and the He-Goat

Vision of David of the Angel of the Lord Beside the Threshing-Floor of Ornan

Vision of Elisha: At the Transporting of Elijah

Vision of Elisha's Servant of the Chariots of the Lord

Vision of Ezekiel of the City and Temple

Vision of Ezekiel of the Coals of Fire

Vision of Ezekiel of the Dry Bones

Vision of Ezekiel of the Glory of God

Vision of Ezekiel of the Man of Fire

Vision of Ezekiel of the Roll

Vision of Ezekiel of the Waters

Vision of Isaiah of the Lord and his Glory in the Temple

Vision of Isaiah of the Valley of Vision

Vision of Jacob of the Ladder With Ascending and Descending Angels

Vision of Jacob: At Beer-Sheba

Vision of Jeremiah of an Almond Rod

Vision of Jeremiah of the Seething Pot

Vision of Job of a Spirit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos of Christ and the Golden Lampstands

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: A Rainbow and the Throne

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: A Son of Man With a Sickle

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Death and Hell (Gehenna)

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: One-Third of the Sun, the Moon, and the Stars Were Darkened

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: Satan Bound for One-Thousand Years

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Coming out of the Temple

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Having Power Over Fire

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Having the Everlasting Gospel

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel in the Sun

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Proclaiming the Fall of Babylon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel Reaping the Harvest

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angel That had a Book

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Angels With the Seven Last Plagues

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Army of Horsemen

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast Coming out of the Earth

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast Rising out of the Sea

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Beast That Came up out of the Bottomless Pit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Book With Seven Seals

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Bottomless Pit

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Censer

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Court of the Gentiles

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Destruction of Babylon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Earthquake and the Celestial Phenomena

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Fall of the City

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Falling Star

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Angels

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Angels Released from the Euphrates River

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Horses

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Four Living Creatures

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Golden Vials

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Great White Throne

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Hail and Fire

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Lamb on Mount Zion

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Locusts

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Measurement of the Temple

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Mountain That Was Thrown Into the Sea

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Multitude Praising

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The New Jerusalem

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The One Who is Faithful and True, Riding a White Horse

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Open Door

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Opening of the Book of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Plague Upon the Men Who had the Mark of the Beast

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Red Dragon

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The River of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sea of Glass

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sea Turned Into Blood

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Sealing of the One Hundred and Forty Four Thousand

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Second and Third Woes

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Angels With the Seven Vials of the Wrath of God

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Lamps

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seven Thunders

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Seventh Seal and the Seven Angels

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Six Seals

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Temple Opened

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Thrones of Judgment

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Tree of Life

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Twenty-Four Elders

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Olive Trees and the Two Lampstands

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Two Witnesses

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Vine and the Winepress

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The War in Heaven

Vision of John on the Island of Patmos: The Woman Clothed With the Sun

Vision of John the Baptist: At the Immersion of Jesus

Vision of Joshua of the Captain of the Lord's Army

Vision of Micaiah of the Defeat of the Israelites; of the Lord on his Throne; and of a Lying Spirit

Vision of Moses of the Burning Bush

Vision of Moses of the Glory of God

Vision of Paul in a Trance

Vision of Paul in Corinth

Vision of Paul of a Man of Macedonia, Saying, "Come Over Into Macedonia, and Help Us"

Vision of Paul of Ananias

Vision of Paul of Christ, on the Way to Damascus

Vision of Paul of Paradise

Vision of Peter of the Sheet Which Was Lowered from the Sky

Vision of Stephen of Christ

Vision of the Israelites of the Manifestation of the Glory of God

Vision of the People of the Tongues of Fire at Pentecost

Vision of Zacharias in the Temple

Vision of Zechariah of Horns and Carpenters

Vision of Zechariah of Horses

Vision of Zechariah of the Flying Roll

Vision of Zechariah of the Golden Lampstand

Vision of Zechariah of the High Priest

Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots

Vision: A Mode of Revelation

Vision: Peter, James, and John of the Transfiguration of Jesus and the Appearance of Moses and Elijah

Related Terms

Night-vision (2 Occurrences)

Trance (7 Occurrences)

Visions (43 Occurrences)

Gabriel (5 Occurrences)

Pertains (14 Occurrences)

Chebar (8 Occurrences)

See (8256 Occurrences)

Siddim (3 Occurrences)

Concerns (20 Occurrences)

Micaiah (27 Occurrences)

Visible (12 Occurrences)

Levitical (19 Occurrences)

Olives (30 Occurrences)

Kebar (8 Occurrences)

U'lai (2 Occurrences)

Ulai (2 Occurrences)

Eyes (6285 Occurrences)

Divinations (10 Occurrences)

Seemed (89 Occurrences)

Cherubim (63 Occurrences)

Eye (145 Occurrences)

Diseases (38 Occurrences)

Vale (20 Occurrences)

Prostrate (25 Occurrences)

Malchiel (3 Occurrences)

Continued (148 Occurrences)

Belongeth (36 Occurrences)

Teaching (372 Occurrences)

Teacher (103 Occurrences)

Teach (172 Occurrences)

Sight (522 Occurrences)

Prophesying (58 Occurrences)

Eagle (27 Occurrences)

Joppa (14 Occurrences)

Meaning (41 Occurrences)

Quaking (6 Occurrences)

Untoward (1 Occurrence)

Unfolded (4 Occurrences)

Jehovah-shammah

Jaazaniah (5 Occurrences)

Jehovahshammah

Living (3112 Occurrences)

Gallery (2 Occurrences)

Gog (12 Occurrences)

Gehazi (14 Occurrences)

Water-door (1 Occurrence)

Foursquare (10 Occurrences)

Frequent (10 Occurrences)

Futility (19 Occurrences)

Falcon (2 Occurrences)

Fulfillment (19 Occurrences)

Far-off (14 Occurrences)

Thinking (58 Occurrences)

Retained (10 Occurrences)

Regain (12 Occurrences)

Resembled (18 Occurrences)

Ray (2 Occurrences)

Rumour (13 Occurrences)

Rumor (10 Occurrences)

El-bethel (1 Occurrence)

Evenings (15 Occurrences)

Elbethel (1 Occurrence)

Descended (64 Occurrences)

Disobedient (30 Occurrences)

Mornings (4 Occurrences)

Macedo'nia (20 Occurrences)

Manifestly (6 Occurrences)

Metal-workers (5 Occurrences)

Prophesieth (13 Occurrences)

Prophesies (17 Occurrences)

Beholding (45 Occurrences)

Besiege (17 Occurrences)

Blind (91 Occurrences)

Chalde'a (9 Occurrences)

Command (442 Occurrences)

Creature (73 Occurrences)

Ciccar

Canal (6 Occurrences)

Vision of Zechariah of the Mountains and Chariots
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