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What is a Vision?

For

August 20, 2025 Bible Study

 

 

  1. Vision

 

 

Vision-a form of communication between God and his prophets. A vision is something like a dream, except the prophet is usually awake and very alert. The vision reveals truth in pictures.

 

 

Featured Texts

 

  1. Hosea 12:10

 

Commentary: God spoke to his people through the prophets. The prophets would receive visions instructing them on how to lead the people and to inform the people of what God expected.

 

  1. Communication from God

 

  1. Psalms 89:19

 

Commentary: Visions was on way that God communicated his will through the prophets. At other times he spoke to them directly like with Moses. (Numbers 12:6-8)

 

  • Why?

 

  1. 1 Samuel 3:1
  2. Proverbs 29:18

 

Commentary: God provided direction through visions. When the people rebelled, God limited his communication with the people by the prophets.

 

 

  1. When

 

  1. Habakkuk 2:2,3

 

Commentary: Habakkuk was instructed by God to write down the vision on large tablets so all could see the message. The vision would come to pass at the appointed time.

 

  1. Purpose of Visions

 

  1. Warning

 

  1. Acts 22:17-21

 

Commentary: The Lord warned Paul to get out of Jerusalem because Paul was in danger. The Lord will send Paul to minister to the Gentiles.

 

  1. As an answer

 

  1. Acts 10:3

 

Commentary: Cornelius was a devout man who loved God. As an answer to his prayers and alms God answered him in a vision.

 

  1. For instruction

 

  1. Acts 10:9-18

 

Commentary: God used a vision to instruct Peter that there would no longer be a division between Jew and Gentile. All who believed on Christ would be God’s people. Peter was to go and preach to the Gentile named Cornelius and his household.

 

 

  1. For direction

 

  1. Acts 9:10-12
  2. Acts 16:9

 

Commentary: There are three visions used in these verses. In Acts 9:10-12 God tells Ananias to go to Saul who has seen Ananias coming in a vision.

The second set of verses shows Paul being directed to Macedonia to preach.

 

  1. To promise

 

  1. Genesis 15:1-5

 

Commentary: God promises Abraham that he will make from his seed a mighty nation would rise.

 

  1. To encourage

 

  1. Acts 18:9,10

 

Commentary: Christ encourages Paul through a vision to speak boldly in his name, because Christ would be with him. Many people in the city would care and watch out for Paul.

 

  1. False Visions

 

  1. Jeremiah 14:14
  2. Jeremiah 23:16

 

Commentary: Jeremiah warned the people of false prophets who would say they saw a vision from God, but actually it is a false vision from the machinations of their hearts.

 

  • Visions Now?

 

  1. Hebrews 1:1,2

 

Commentary: Visions are no longer necessary because Christians have the Word deliver from the mouth of God’s Son and the apostles.

 

  • Advice to the Saints

 

  1. Matthew 24:4,5
  2. 1 John 4:1

 

Commentary: Many so-called prophets and teachers will come in Christ’s name stating they have seen visions and teaching another gospel. Christ and John warn to beware of these people.

 

Quote of Introspection:

 

No man ever believes that the Bible means what it says: He is always convinced that it says what he means.

 

George Bernard Shaw

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         

 

 

Study to show thyself approved unto God
a workman that needeth not to be ashamed,
rightly dividing the word of truth. 

II Timothy 2:15