Topical Encyclopedia In the biblical narrative, visions are frequently accompanied by an audible voice from heaven, serving as a divine communication method to convey God's will, guidance, or revelation to His chosen individuals. These occurrences are significant as they underscore the direct intervention of God in human affairs, providing clarity, instruction, and assurance to His people.Old Testament Instances 1. Moses at the Burning Bush: One of the earliest and most profound examples is found in the account of Moses. In Exodus 3:4, as Moses approaches the burning bush, he hears the voice of God calling to him from the midst of the bush, saying, "Moses, Moses!" This encounter marks the beginning of Moses' mission to lead the Israelites out of Egypt. 2. Samuel's Calling: In 1 Samuel 3, the young Samuel hears the voice of the Lord calling him in the night. Initially mistaking it for the voice of Eli, the priest, Samuel eventually responds to God's call, marking the start of his prophetic ministry. 3. Isaiah's Commission: In Isaiah 6, the prophet Isaiah experiences a vision of the Lord seated on a throne, high and exalted. During this vision, he hears the voice of the Lord asking, "Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?" (Isaiah 6:8). Isaiah responds, "Here am I. Send me!" New Testament Instances 1. The Baptism of Jesus: A pivotal New Testament example is the baptism of Jesus. In Matthew 3:16-17, as Jesus emerges from the water, the heavens open, and the Spirit of God descends like a dove. A voice from heaven declares, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased." 2. The Transfiguration: During the Transfiguration, as recorded in Matthew 17:5, Peter, James, and John witness Jesus' divine glory. A bright cloud envelops them, and a voice from the cloud says, "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. Listen to Him!" 3. Paul's Conversion: In Acts 9, Saul of Tarsus (later known as Paul) encounters a blinding light on the road to Damascus. He hears a voice saying, "Saul, Saul, why do you persecute Me?" (Acts 9:4). This divine encounter leads to his conversion and subsequent mission to the Gentiles. 4. Peter's Vision: In Acts 10, Peter receives a vision of a sheet descending from heaven, filled with various animals. He hears a voice instructing him to "kill and eat," challenging Jewish dietary laws. This vision, accompanied by the voice, signifies the opening of the Gospel to the Gentiles. Theological Significance The audible voice from heaven in these visions serves multiple purposes. It authenticates the divine origin of the vision, provides clear and direct communication from God, and often marks a significant turning point in the biblical narrative. These instances highlight God's sovereignty and His active role in guiding and shaping the course of human history through His chosen messengers. The voice from heaven is a powerful reminder of God's presence and His desire to communicate with His people, offering guidance, correction, and encouragement. Torrey's Topical Textbook Genesis 15:1After these things the word of the LORD came to Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am your shield, and your exceeding great reward. Torrey's Topical Textbook 1 Samuel 3:4,5 Library The Life of Anne Catherine Emmerich Making and Breaking Connections. Christ's Birth Another Wonderful Record of 25. part i Resources Who was Ellen G. White? | GotQuestions.orgAre books such as 90 Minutes in Heaven, Heaven is for Real, and 23 Minutes in Hell biblically sound? | GotQuestions.org Who was Hildegard of Bingen? | GotQuestions.org Bible Concordance • Bible Dictionary • Bible Encyclopedia • Topical Bible • Bible Thesuarus 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 |
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