Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, prophets serve as God's chosen messengers, often receiving divine revelations through dreams and visions. These modes of communication are significant in the Scriptures, illustrating the intimate and direct manner in which God imparts His will and guidance to His people.Dreams as a Medium of Divine Revelation Dreams are a recurring method through which God communicates with His prophets. In the Old Testament, dreams are often depicted as a means for God to reveal His plans and purposes. For instance, Joseph, the son of Jacob, is renowned for his prophetic dreams. In Genesis 37:5-10, Joseph dreams of his future rise to prominence, which eventually leads to the preservation of his family during a famine. These dreams are not merely personal but carry a divine message that impacts the broader narrative of God's covenant people. Another notable example is found in the life of Daniel. In Daniel 2:19, God reveals the mystery of King Nebuchadnezzar's dream to Daniel in a night vision, enabling him to interpret the dream and demonstrate God's sovereignty over earthly kingdoms. Daniel's ability to interpret dreams is a testament to the divine wisdom imparted to him, as seen in Daniel 1:17: "To these four young men God gave knowledge and understanding of all kinds of literature and wisdom. And Daniel could understand visions and dreams of all kinds." Visions as a Channel of Prophetic Insight Visions are another significant means by which God communicates with His prophets. Unlike dreams, which occur during sleep, visions are often experienced while the prophet is awake, providing a vivid and sometimes symbolic revelation of God's message. The prophet Isaiah receives a profound vision of God's holiness and glory in Isaiah 6:1-8. In this vision, Isaiah sees the Lord seated on a high and exalted throne, surrounded by seraphim. This encounter not only commissions Isaiah as a prophet but also underscores the majesty and holiness of God. Ezekiel is another prophet who receives numerous visions. In Ezekiel 1:1, he describes his inaugural vision by the Kebar River, where he sees the heavens opened and witnesses the glory of God. These visions are rich in symbolism and convey God's messages concerning judgment, restoration, and the future of Israel. The prophet Zechariah also experiences a series of night visions, as recorded in Zechariah 1-6. These visions provide encouragement and hope to the post-exilic community, emphasizing God's continued presence and plans for His people. New Testament Continuation In the New Testament, dreams and visions continue to play a role in divine communication. Joseph, the earthly father of Jesus, receives guidance through dreams, as seen in Matthew 1:20-21 and Matthew 2:13, where an angel of the Lord appears to him, instructing him to take Mary as his wife and later to flee to Egypt to protect the infant Jesus. The apostle Peter experiences a significant vision in Acts 10:9-16, where he sees a sheet descending from heaven with various animals, symbolizing the inclusion of Gentiles into the early Christian community. This vision marks a pivotal moment in the expansion of the Gospel beyond Jewish boundaries. The apostle Paul also receives visions that guide his missionary endeavors. In Acts 16:9-10, Paul has a vision of a man from Macedonia pleading for help, prompting him to bring the Gospel to Europe. Conclusion Throughout the Scriptures, dreams and visions serve as vital conduits for divine revelation, enabling prophets to convey God's messages with authority and clarity. These experiences underscore the dynamic and personal nature of God's communication with His chosen messengers, shaping the course of biblical history and the unfolding of His redemptive plan. Torrey's Topical Textbook Numbers 12:6And 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. Torrey's Topical Textbook Joel 2:28 Library Introduction. Introduction The Greater Prophets. The Revelation in a Son. On the Offices of Our Lord Jesus Christ The Mission of Paul and Silas to Macedonia. Of the Popish Mass. How it not Only Profanes, but Annihilates the ... A Treatise on Re-Baptism by an Anonymous Writer. The Immaculate Conception A Traveler's Note-Book Resources What does it mean that Saul is also among the prophets? | GotQuestions.orgHow many prophets are in the Bible? | GotQuestions.org Are there prophets in the church today? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus Subtopics False Prophets: Called Foolish Prophets False Prophets: Compared to Foxes in the Desert False Prophets: Compared to Wind False Prophets: Immoral and Profane False Prophets: Influenced by Evil Spirits False Prophets: Involved the People in Their own Ruin False Prophets: Judgments Denounced Against False Prophets: Light and Treacherous False Prophets: Made Use of by God to Prove Israel False Prophets: Mode of Trying and Detecting False Prophets: Not Sent or Commissioned by God False Prophets: Often Deceived by God As a Judgment False Prophets: Often Practised Divination and Witchcraft False Prophets: Often Pretended to Dreams False Prophets: Predicted to Arise in the Latter Times False Prophets: Predicted to Arise: Before Destruction of Jerusalem False Prophets: Pretended to be Sent by God False Prophets: Prophesied in the Name of False Gods False Prophets: Prophesied: Falsely False Prophets: Prophesied: Lies in the Name of the Lord False Prophets: Prophesied: out of Their own Heart False Prophets: Prophesied: Peace, when There Was No Peace False Prophets: The People: Deprived of God's Word By False Prophets: The People: Encouraged and Praised False Prophets: The People: Led Into Error False Prophets: The People: Made to Forget God's Name By False Prophets: The People: Oppressed and Defrauded By False Prophets: The People: Taught Profaneness and Sin By False Prophets: The People: Warned not to Listen To False Prophets: Women Sometimes Acted As Prophets were Called: Holy Men of God Prophets were Called: Holy Prophets Prophets were Called: Men of God Prophets were Called: Prophets of God Prophets were Consulted in all Difficulties Prophets were Esteemed As Holy Men Prophets were Mighty Through Faith Prophets were Required: Not to Speak Anything But What They Received from God Prophets were Required: To be Bold and Undaunted Prophets were Required: To be Vigilant and Faithful Prophets were Required: To Declare Everything That the Lord Commanded Prophets were Required: To Receive With Attention all God's Communications Prophets were Sent to Denounce the Wickedness of Kings Prophets were Sent to Exhort to Faithfulness and Constancy in God's Service Prophets were Sent to Predict the Coming of Christ Prophets were Sent to Predict the Downfall of Nations Prophets were Sent to Reprove the Wicked and Exhort to Repentance Prophets were Under the Influence of the Holy Spirit While Prophesying Prophets: Assisted the Jews in Their Great National Undertakings Prophets: Azariah the Son of Oded Prophets: Benefits of Presents Prophets: Benefits of Presents Refused By Prophets: Christ Exercised the office of Prophets: Christ Predicted to Exercise the office of Prophets: Extraordinary: Often Endued With Miraculous Power Prophets: Extraordinary: Specially Raised up on Occasions of Emergency Prophets: False: 400 in Samaria Prophets: False: Denunciations Against Prophets: False: Punishment of Prophets: Felt Deeply on Account of the Calamities Which They Predicted Prophets: Frequently in Their Actions Were Made Signs to the People Prophets: Frequently Left Without Divine Communication on Account of Prophets: Frequently Married Men Prophets: Frequently Spoke in Parables and Riddles Prophets: God Avenged all Injuries Done To Prophets: God Communicated to At Various Time and in Different Ways Prophets: God Communicated To by an Audible Voice Prophets: God Communicated To by Angels Prophets: God Communicated To by Dreams and Visions Prophets: God Communicated to His Secret Things Prophets: Great Patience of, Under Suffering Prophets: Jehu the Son of Hanani Prophets: Micaiah the Son of Imlah Prophets: Not Honored in Their own Country Prophets: Often Accompanied by Music While Predicting Prophets: Often Committed Their Predictions to Writing Prophets: Often Led a Wandering and Unsettled Life Prophets: One Generally Attached to the King's Household Prophets: Ordinary: Numerous in Israel Prophets: Ordinary: The Sacred Bards of the Jews Prophets: Ordinary: Trained up and Instructed in Schools Prophets: Predictions of Frequently Proclaimed at the Gate of the Lord's House Prophets: Predictions of Proclaimed in the Cities and Streets Prophets: Predictions of Were all Fulfilled Prophets: Predictions of Written on Rolls and Read to the People Prophets: Predictions of Written on Tables and Fixed up in some Public Place Prophets: Presented With Gifts by Those Who Consulted Them Prophets: Prophet Set to Israel Prophets: Simple in Their Manner of Life Prophets: Sometimes Received Divine Communications and Uttered Prophets: Sometimes Thought It Right to Reject Presents Prophets: Sometimes Uttered Their Predictions in Verse Prophets: Spoke in the Name of the Lord Prophets: The Historiographers of the Jewish Nation Prophets: The Interpreters of Dreams Prophets: The Jews: Often Imprisoned Them Prophets: The Jews: Often Left Without, on Account of Sin Prophets: The Jews: Often Put Them to Death Prophets: The Jews: Often Tried to Make Them Speak Smooth Things Prophets: The Jews: Persecuted Them Prophets: The Jews: Require to Hear and Believe Prophets: The Messengers of God Prophets: The Watchmen of Israel Prophets: Women Sometimes Endowed As Prophets: Wore a Coarse Dress of Hair-Cloth Prophets: Writings of, Read in the Synagogues Every Sabbath Prophets: Zacharias the Father of John Prophets: Zechariah Son of Iddo Related Terms Brother-servant (2 Occurrences) Almondiblathaim (2 Occurrences) Almon-diblathaim (2 Occurrences) Sycamore-trees (6 Occurrences) |
    |