Topical Bible: Visions: Often Accompanied: An Appearance of Human Beings

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In the biblical narrative, visions are a significant means through which God communicates with His people. These divine revelations often include the appearance of human beings, either as messengers or as part of the vision's symbolic content. The presence of human figures in visions serves to convey God's message in a manner that is relatable and understandable to the recipient.

Old Testament Examples

1. Abraham's Vision: In Genesis 15, God appears to Abram in a vision, promising him numerous descendants. While the vision primarily involves God's voice and a symbolic act of covenant, it is set within a human context, as Abram interacts with God in a personal and direct manner.

2. Ezekiel's Vision: The prophet Ezekiel experiences several visions, often featuring human-like figures. In Ezekiel 1, he sees a vision of four living creatures with human faces, symbolizing God's glory and presence. These figures serve as a bridge between the divine and the human, illustrating God's majesty in a form that Ezekiel can comprehend.

3. Daniel's Vision: Daniel's visions frequently include human figures. In Daniel 7, he sees "one like a son of man" coming with the clouds of heaven, a figure that has been interpreted as a messianic prophecy. This vision emphasizes the human aspect of divine intervention and the coming kingdom.

New Testament Examples

1. The Transfiguration: In Matthew 17, Peter, James, and John witness the transfiguration of Jesus, where Moses and Elijah appear alongside Him. This vision underscores the continuity of God's revelation through the Law and the Prophets, now fulfilled in Christ. The human figures of Moses and Elijah serve to authenticate Jesus' divine mission.

2. Paul's Vision: In Acts 9, Saul (later Paul) encounters a vision of Jesus on the road to Damascus. Though initially blinded, he later receives a vision of Ananias, a human disciple, who comes to restore his sight. This vision highlights the role of human agents in God's redemptive plan.

3. John's Revelation: The Book of Revelation is replete with visions involving human figures. In Revelation 1, John sees a vision of the glorified Christ, described with human attributes yet exuding divine majesty. Throughout Revelation, human figures such as the elders and the multitude in white robes appear, symbolizing the redeemed community.

Theological Significance

The appearance of human beings in visions underscores the incarnational aspect of God's communication. By using human figures, God bridges the gap between the divine and the human, making His messages accessible and relatable. These visions often serve to reassure, instruct, or warn the recipients, providing guidance and insight into God's will and future plans.

The presence of human figures in visions also highlights the role of humanity in God's redemptive history. Whether as messengers, symbols, or participants, these figures remind believers of their place in God's unfolding narrative and the ultimate fulfillment of His promises through Jesus Christ.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 9:12
And has seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Acts 16:9
And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Immaculate Conception
... The meal in the house was accompanied by much ... man was given guidance from above,
and often remained for ... at different places, enjoying many visions and full of ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/ii the immaculate conception.htm

Doctrine of the Rest of the Apostles.
... 3. Again, when Peter, accompanied by John, had looked ... Hosea declares: "I have filled
up visions, and used ... author, his quotations are very often in accordance ...
/.../irenaeus/against heresies/chapter xii doctrine of the rest.htm

Book ii.
... and storms of this world should be accompanied by rejoicing ... How often is the attainment
of one's wishes a ... by the instance of those who have visions of things ...
//christianbookshelf.org/ambrose/works and letters of st ambrose/book ii.htm

The Preacher as a Man of God.
... we cannot tell, he saw three successive visions, or rather a ... and we have repeated
it so often that it ... The words which accompanied the touch suggest, however, a ...
/.../stalker/the preacher and his models/lecture ii the preacher as.htm

The Journey of the Three Holy Kings to Bethlehem
... These observations of the stars were accompanied by fasting ... The visions did not come
from looking at one ... Emmerich while asleep in the evening often sang several ...
/.../emmerich/the life of the blessed virgin mary/xiii the journey of the.htm

An Exhortation to Theodore after his Fall. Letter I.
... my spirit shuddered within me, and the visions of my ... the city, riding on horseback,
and accompanied by a ... was felt, certain holy men who had often succeeded in ...
/.../chrysostom/on the priesthood/an exhortation to theodore after.htm

The Gods of Egypt
... which they had subjected him, often induced them ... kept the distinctive character and
appearance which pertained ... sparrow-hawk of lapis-lazuli, accompanied by her ...
/.../chapter ii the gods of egypt.htm

Grace Abounding to the Chief of Sinners:
... thou me?""a voice so terrible, and accompanied by such ... dreams, and did terrify me
with dreadful visions; for often ... She also would be often telling of me, what ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/grace abounding to the chief.htm

Period iv. The Age of the Consolidation of the Church: 200 to 324 ...
... a time to be a rival to the Church's system, and outside the Church the appearance
of a ... made for wider conceptions of law and a deeper sense of human solidarity ...
/.../ayer/a source book for ancient church history/period iv the age of.htm

The Mystery
... translates it in the Psalms, as often as it ... upon those who exclaimed against his
appearance, and chastised ... by supposed cures, and miraculous visions, by the ...
//christianbookshelf.org/mede/a key to the apocalypse/the mystery 2.htm