Does God give visions today, or was that only back in Bible times? Also, what are the purposes of God’s visions? God wants to enrich our spiritual walk with Him to help us as He gives visions.
The Bible is filled with people who have had visions from the Lord. On Pentecost Peter spoke to the crowd to explain to them what God was doing. Acts 2:17 ‘In the last days,’ God says, ‘I will pour out my Spirit upon all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will dream dreams. [1]
The last days began when Jesus ascended into heaven, so we are living in the last days. From Acts 2:17, it is very clear that the Lord gives visions during the time we live. Some people may never receive a vision from God, but that does not mean God does not give visions to others. We don’t need to think less of our walk with Jesus because we have not had a vison. If you have had a vision from God, it was a gift given to you for a specific purpose.
Saul and Ananias received visions from God
Both Saul and Ananias received visions from the Lord, and they give us insight of the purpose of God’s visions. Saul, who we know as Paul in the Scriptures, did not know Jesus as his Messiah and Savior and was persecuting believers. This all came to an end when Jesus intervened in Paul’s life by knocking him off his horse and blinding him.
Jesus asked him, Acts 9:4“Saul! Saul! Why are you persecuting me?” 5 “Who are you, lord?” Saul asked. And the voice replied, “I am Jesus, the one you are persecuting! 6 Now get up and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do…”
So his companions led him by the hand to Damascus. 9 He remained there blind for three days and did not eat or drink. 10 Now there was a believer in Damascus named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, calling, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord!” he replied. 11 The Lord said, “Go over to Straight Street, to the house of Judas. When you get there, ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul. He is praying to me right now. 12 I have shown him a vision of a man named Ananias coming in and laying hands on him so he can see again.” [2]
Purpose for the Visions
The Lord’s vision to Saul told him what was to come. In this case the Lord was answering his prayer and telling him Ananias was going to lay hands on him and restore his sight. In the case of Ananias, the vision gave him instruction. God’s visions are all about communicating to us in a special way what we need at the time. You may not have received a vision personally, but I believe we have been affected by people who have either directly or indirectly received a vision.
God Gives Visions Today
Soon after I became a pastor of a church, the Lord gave me a vision during the entire time of Holy Communion. The Lord showed me visually who was a believer and who was not. God showed me that two thirds of the people were not saved. I did not remember afterwards who believed and who did not. The vision was not for that purpose.
What the Lord showed me was like a doctor’s report. It was information about the condition of the congregation. The Lord wanted the unsaved people to become believers in Jesus. For the next several years I preached many messages about salvation and forgiveness. Over time as people began to place their faith in Jesus, the spiritual atmosphere in the church changed. Although the people in the congregation may not have experienced visions during this time, they were affected by someone who did.
The more time you spend alone with God, the more you’ll learn how to recognize His voice when He speaks to you and the visions He places in your heart. Be alert for the Holy Spirit witnessing to your spirit. Always remember, the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to you only as you’re able to hear it.[3]
Does God give visions today? Listen and find out more here:
https://podpoint.com/light-of-christ-church-podcast/god-has-more-a-call-for-paul
[1,2] Tyndale House Publishers. (2015). Holy Bible: New Living Translation . Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.
[3] https://www.bennyhinn.org/enewsletter/how-to-recognize-god-given-visions/