Can Our Visions Help Us Understand The Teachings Of God, and what does the bible say about visions
Yes, visions can play a role in helping people understand the teachings of God, and the Bible has a great deal to say about visions—both how God used them in the past and what their purpose is.
What Are Visions in the Bible?
A vision is a supernatural revelation often given by God, where someone sees something spiritual or symbolic, either while awake or in a trance-like state. Visions are distinct from dreams (which usually happen during sleep), though they can have similar purposes.
How Visions Helped People Understand God’s Teachings
In the Bible, visions were often used by God to reveal His will or plans.
Provide guidance to His people. Warn of judgment or encourage repentance. Give a prophetic message about the future. Offer a heavenly perspective that brings understanding.
So, yes, according to Scripture, visions can help people understand God’s ways and purposes.
Key Bible Verses About Visions
Here are some key passages:
Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterwards, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions.”
This verse shows that visions are a sign of God’s Spirit being active among His people, even in the New Testament era.
Acts 10:9-16 – Peter’s Vision
Peter receives a vision from God showing unclean animals, which leads to the realisation that the Gospel is also for the Gentiles.
Acts 10:9-16 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour. And he became very hungry, and would have eaten, but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,
And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending upon him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth. Wherein were all manner of four-footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten anything that is common or unclean.
And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. This was done thrice, and the vessel was received up again into heaven.
This vision expanded Peter’s understanding of God’s mission and grace.
Daniel 7 and 8
Daniel receives apocalyptic visions revealing the rise and fall of kingdoms and the coming of God’s eternal kingdom.
These visions helped interpret God’s sovereignty over history.
Revelation 1:1 The Revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must soon take place. The entire book of Revelation is based on a vision given to the Apostle John.
Proverbs 29:18 Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he that keepeth the law, happy is he. This doesn’t necessarily mean a supernatural vision, but it implies divine guidance. Yet it shows how critical God’s revealed insight is for a healthy life and society.
Can We Still Have Visions Today?
Many Christians believe that God can still give visions today, especially to Encourage believers. Call someone to a specific mission. Provide guidance or reassurance. However, all visions must be tested against Scripture:
1 John 4: Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God.
Summary:
Yes, visions can help us understand God’s teachings when they come from Him. The Bible is full of examples of God using visions to communicate His message. We should be discerning and always compare visions with Scripture, which is the ultimate authority.