God Speaks in Misc Kinds of Visions
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH DIFFERENT KINDS OF VISIONS
The Word says in the last days the Holy Spirit will be giving many visions and dreams. “In the last days” God said, “I will pour out my Holy Spirit upon all mankind, and your sons and daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men dream dreams.” (Acts 2:17 TLB)
Visions are a special and unique way of hearing from the Lord. Some speak of vision as a general term, as in visualizing a future perspective, or goal. However, the Greek and Hebrew refer to vision as sight.
Vision; gaze, look, behold, see, sight, and view.
[2375/2377 Heb Strong’s and 3706/3705 Gk Strong’s]
A Biblical vision is a literal, spiritual and sometimes a physical happening. It’s not a product of the mind, imagination or logic. Receiving a vision is a gift from the Lord: an experience of sight, not the imagination. For purposes of definitions there are 5 types of visions:
1. Pictures, like a still photograph, on the screen of the mind. (In my rhema, I call them PIX:)
2. Visions which are moving scenes.
3. Visions of gazing wonder which are like trances.
4. Visions through opening of the literal eyes.
5. Being carried away in the Spirit which are revelatory experiences.
Pictures, in my experience, contain one scene and usually appear in a flash without prior notice. I cannot remember seeing a picture when I was given the time to stop and look. It happens very quickly, and remains just long enough for me to notice and then it vanishes. Pictures are usually one screen snapshots, like a photograph that does not have movement in them. There are two types of pictures noted here:
PICTURES WHEN ASLEEP
The strongest and most vivid I see are at night when asleep. Although, it is not like the vividness of gazing visions, it is the most vivid of pictures. When it appears, I see, then the Lord alerts me and I understand with my conscious mind what I just saw! I also see the same kind of picture visions when I am at deep rest and communing with Him – with my eyes closed and not asleep.
One fun example happened the night after my husband and I had been playing the game Rummikub. (Pronounced like Rummy-Cube, looks similar to dominoes, plays like Rummy.) That night in bed I saw a flash picture of a Rummikub with the number 222 on it. The Lord went on to say something about me, which I dutifully wrote down in the midst of my slumberous fog before crashing back to sleep. The next morning I looked up the number 222 in my Strong’s Exhaustive Concordance. I was tickled to find that the number 222 means Alexandria, which is where my name Sandy comes from. It was a delightful confirmation to what I heard that night.
PICTURES WHEN AWAKE
The second type of picture I see is when I’m awake, but with my eyes closed in worship. It is received like the others, but is more subtle and less vivid. My eyes are closed, therefore I see it on the screen of my mind. It’s important to note, when it is flashed on the screen of my mind, in no way is it related to thoughts or imagination. We can have day dreams as humans and some see with their imagination quite clearly. Artists especially have this skill. A picture from the Lord is not involved with our thoughts. It comes suddenly with surprise and is not a part of us or our mind. It is an experience that happens TO us, and not through us. (Through us is our involvement with thoughts of our mind – to us is an uninvolved surprise.)
As an example of this particular kind of picture, I was standing in a service worshipping the Lord with my eyes closed and I saw a very faint, but definite picture of a pair of angel wings standing in front of me. Then I saw the wings enclose me as though in a hug. I was so touched by this I just stood there in awe. It was a simple picture, but I was thrilled. When a friend came back to her seat, I told her the story of how I had always wanted to be hugged by God. And I had just been hugged by God through His angel!
As she heard me share this, she asked a strange question. She said, “Did you see me?” I had no idea what she was talking about. Evidently she was in the corner with a pair of white filmy banner-like flags, moving them back and forth to the music in the same motion I had seen. While she was doing this, she was praying for people and said, “Lord I wish I was an angel so I could fly around and meet people’s needs like they do.” It was quickened to me that she was unknowingly stating what the Lord had already given her, and that was the authority to loose angels to be dispatched in the meeting in answers to her prayers. I knew she had asked that one be dispatched to me and I told her so. She said, “WOW! I wonder if the Lord would do that for everyone?”
So she got up and stood in the corner again moving her flags. I watched them glide back and forth just like angel wings. As she did this, she prayed over the meeting. Just then, the worship leader knowing nothing of our conversation suddenly changed the words in the song he was singing, then looked over to her corner and sang, “Come on the wings of angels!” I related this to him later, and he didn’t even remember doing it. He had been hoping that the Lord was anointing his singing, especially when he sang prophetic words that were not written, so this was a confirmation to him. The whole experience was a wonderful blessing to each of us and it all started by a very faint and simple picture.
CLICK HERE TO READ RHEMA EXAMPLES WITH PICTURES (PIX)
HE SPEAKS THROUGH VISIONS
Another type of vision is seen on the screen of the mind and can happen with the eyes closed or open, sleep or awake. They come in the form of a movie rather than a quick photographic flash, similar to viewing still slides or a moving movie reel. Coming through the mind, it is like recalling something from memory, but what is recalled is a surprise not yet known. The “movie” floats into the mind, all the while the viewer is fully conscious and aware of his surroundings. The difference between this experience and imagination is that it is a gift: TO, NOT THROUGH the viewer. Yes, what is seen goes through the mind, but it remains with the element of surprise like other visions. It cannot be made-up or forced to happen, because it is a gift.
I have received this type of movie visions and also heard people speak in them. These experiences are just as though you are seeing and hearing a dream, but you are awake. Anna has a good testimony of her movie screen picture visions and I have asked her to share it with you:
“In Home Group, I was drawn to a visitor named Sarah (name changed). As I thought about her, I remembered the beautiful double rainbow I had seen that afternoon. Suddenly I saw a vision of Sarah standing at the very end of a rainbow with the beautiful colors surrounding her. The rainbow and Sarah were very close to me. It was as though the whole world was in that rainbow. I felt enveloped in it as I basked in the glory of it. I asked her, “Does a rainbow mean anything to you?” She was excited and said, “Yes!” I told her I saw her standing at the very end of the rainbow and believed the Lord was wanting to encourage her with the hope of His fulfilling His promises to her. Then she related that she had seen a rainbow in the sky that afternoon while walking with her children and they had all talked about it and what it meant in the Bible.
Later Sarah was lying on the floor after being ministered to, and I saw a movie picture of myself picking up some rose petals on the table and sprinkling them upon her. I was telling her that these were representative of the heavenly pot of gold at the end of the rainbow. They represented the blessings the Lord was going to pour out upon her. Even though I procrastinated, and the meeting changed focus, the movie in my mind would not leave. Finally, I stood up, gathered some rose petals and said, “I felt I was supposed to do this, but I procrastinated.” Then I told her the rose petals I was sprinkling upon her represented the heavenly pot of gold at the end of the rainbow and the Lord was going to bless her.
In the following church service, Pastor knew nothing about any of this. He suddenly announced that he wanted us to bless someone financially without our knowing who it was and he took up an offering. Then to my shock he walked over to Sarah and said, “The Lord wants you to know you are very much loved, and this is a representation of it. The offering was taken just for you.” Then he prophesied over her. She had just received part of her pot of gold!”
{End Anna quote}
The previous kinds of picture-visions are similar to hearing the Lord speak TO our mind, vs THROUGH our mind. Seeing a picture through our mind is vulnerable to error and flesh. There is a fine line between imagination and picture visions, however the Lord certainly does inspire our thoughts. But for purposes of this kind of movie picture-vision, the line is best drawn between participation and gift. A gift has no personal subjective participation. There is no alteration of what is seen through the choice of one’s will and desire, but it remains a surprise. A gift is WITHOUT KNOWING if, what, where, when, why, it is to be seen. If the above lines up, then it can be relied upon to be untainted by flesh. (This objectivity is only in distinction of our flesh vs the Holy Spirit. The enemy can give objective visions as well, covered in another section.)
The environment for receiving visions from Him is the same as hearing His still small voice: being in a place of reception. Worship, praise, and communion are foundational to being in a place to receive. When we are in that place of relationship with Him, our surroundings fade away. The focus of our thoughts and hearts is turned toward Him, and all else naturally falls aside in giving Him priority. Worship, praise, communion, and relationship are moment by moment decisions of the will. When we choose those moments, we are able to receive because we have opened the door to Him.
Because I receive pictures from Him at night, I used to try to keep a notebook and flashlight by my bed. Now, I use a digital mini hand recorder. I have experienced many times seeing a wonderful picture, even pondering it a while before I go back to sleep, but cannot remember it when I awaken. Now my notebook is referred to after many years and my memory is refreshed. Perhaps if you begin to hear the Lord in this manner, you will want to do the same.
CLICK HERE TO READ RHEMA EXAMPLES WITH VISIONS
VISIONS OF GAZING WONDER
“…Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance…” (Acts 10:9-10 NKJV)
Peter fell into a trance and saw the same vision three times about the Gentiles. (Acts 10:10-16) Obviously God wanted to get Peter’s attention. Peter had a preconceived opinion about the Gentiles that God wanted changed. It is recorded again in Acts 11:5-10. Also Paul had this kind of trance vision while in prayer in Acts 22:17-21.
I have noticed several things when the Lord gives me this type of vision. First, even if it is an experience happening TO me, at no time has it gone against my will. At any time I am free to have the vision close down or stop (although it being Him, I don’t want Him to stop.) It is not something that takes possession of me and I lose control over my choice or will. In fact, the liberty and freedom of my will is such, and the Holy Spirit being so gentle, that at the slightest hesitation He will stop. He desires our absolute childlike faith in a Heavenly Father Who is our Daddy. It is the enemy who binds, hinders, numbs, and chains up our wills. “Gifts” from the enemy are without freedom and liberty.
Secondly, these visions have a lovely common denominator. In some form or another, He knocks at my door, and I either hear His voice, recognize His Spirit, or know His Presence. After I recognize Him, I invite Him and receive Him. The recognition and invitation are within my heart. My soul and spirit “leaps” when He is so near, and I either call His Name, or recognize that it is Him. The recognition of the Lord gives great joy, perfect peace, and invokes a strong drawing and longing for Him. It’s like His Presence is a giant magnet and I instantly respond to Him.
I have never received Him without my state of spirit, mind, will, and body being completely yielded. It’s as though His mere Presence gives me the desire to yield my every fiber to Him to do with as He wills. Always, it is in complete childlike faith in a Father Who is a Perfect Daddy. He knows me and I have no other need. He is EVERYTHING. Yielding to HIM, has always been the focus of every experience in these kinds of visions.
Another detail has to do with the eyes. It is as though the scales are peeled away and I see with absolute gazing clarity. The sight is so real, so vivid, so clear! It is like no sight we see on earth. It makes 20/20 vision seem dull. Emphasis should be on the word “gaze.” Webster’s defines gaze: “to fix the eyes in a steady and intent look…fixed and prolonged attention…stare.” Peter, in Acts 11:6 mentions he fastened his eyes on the sight. That is a characteristic of this kind of vision. It is an absolute fixed focus on what He is showing. The concentration of the eyes is absolute and does not waver, it’s like describing a staring contest. Balak mentioned he saw a vision and used the phrase, “having his eyes opened.” (Numbers 24:4 and 16 KJ)
Visions of gazing wonder are different from picture visions. I cannot remember receiving a picture vision when I had time to stare. They happen too quickly. Wonder visions occur by gazing or staring at the sight for a period of time. Picture visions do not have the extreme clarity of reality. Wonder visions are very clear and the sight is three dimensional as if one is there, but it actually looks more “real” than real life.
The following is a vision of gazing wonder the Lord gave me as quoted from my journal: “When I went to sleep on November 14, 1985, I had a strong yearning for Jesus. As I slept, He came to me and opened my eyes. I saw a huge, gigantic banner unfolding across the sky. It said, “THE LORD JESUS CHRIST.” Suddenly, I found myself in heaven looking down upon a vast desert. It was dry, brown, flat, and immense. As I gazed upon the lifeless desert, someone was standing above and behind me declaring the scroll of Isaiah 35:
“The wilderness and the solitary place shall be glad for them; and the desert shall rejoice, and blossom as the rose. It shall blossom abundantly, and rejoice even with joy and singing: the glory of Lebanon shall be given unto it, the excellency of Carmel and Sharon, they shall see the glory of the Lord, the excellency of our God. Strengthen ye the weak hands, and confirm the feeble knees. Say to them of a fearful heart, be strong, fear not: behold your God will come with vengeance; He will come and save you. Then the eyes of the blind shall be opened, and the ears of the deaf shall be unstopped. Then shall the lame leap as an hart, and the tongue of the dumb sing: for in the wilderness shall waters break out, and streams in the desert. And the parched ground shall become a pool, and the thirsty land springs of water…” (Isaiah 35 KJ)
After Isaiah 35 had been announced, I heard the Lord say, “And the desert shall blossom as a rose. It shall happen all at once, and it shall happen suddenly.” Immediately I saw the desert come to life. The sight was astounding and oh so beautiful! Everywhere blossoms emerged: this dry, lifeless region became a spacious garden of color and beauty. Then I came out of the gazing vision. As I woke, I was still in awe of what I’d seen, because it was so beautiful. I knew the Lord was speaking a promise of what He would be doing to our dry desert like lives. He was going to rain His Presence upon us and we would emerge with life and beautiful blossoms.”
CLICK HERE TO READ RHEMA EXAMPLES WITH TRANCES
GOD SPEAKS THROUGH OPENING OUR LITERAL EYES
Another kind of picture is with the eyes opened through the actual eye. For me, this vision is not vivid. It is very hazy and happens so fast that when I notice it’s there, I have enough time to blink my eyes to check out what I am seeing and then it’s gone. When I say the word hazy, it is because my eyes are not actively pursuing focus. In fact once my natural eye tries to focus on what it sees, it disappears. The best way to describe it is, it is seen in the Spirit although it is seen through the natural eye.
Like the others, it is always a surprise, and if I’m not in a place of reception, it can be missed. Once, in church, I literally saw an associate pastor as a liberty bell! I was so surprised I blinked and it disappeared. (Right after that he announced his message was going to be on bondage and freedom from captivity. The Lord has such a sense of humor and is so delightful!)
A close friend of mine was in the bathroom gazing at her apricot towels. Suddenly the word PRESS appeared on the towel. That coupled with other confirmations was the Lord’s encouragement this book would be printed.
There are times He literally opens our senses. We encounter the “real” hearing in our flesh. Elisha prayed for the Lord to open his servants literal eyes so he might see the real issue of what was taking place with the angelic hosts.
2 Kings 6:15-17 NKJV
And when the servant of the man of God arose early and went out, there was an army, surrounding the city with horses and chariots. And his servant said to him, “Alas, my master! What shall we do?” So he answered,”Do not fear, for those who are with us are more than those who are with them.” 17 And Elisha prayed, and said, “LORD, I pray, open his eyes that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the eyes of the young man, and he saw. And behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
In daily living, man is not usually gifted to have the eyes to see the angels at work. Elisha obviously knew what it meant to have the Lord actually open his eyes so he might see.
I heard a funny story about a man who was ministering Words to an audience. He said something like, “No I don’t know. No I don’t know! I tell you I don’t know!” It turned out that he had seen an angel standing in the back of the room, pointing to a lady. The minister asked the angel what the lady’s name was. Every time he asked, he heard the angel say, “You know.” So he consequently said, “No, I don’t know.” Finally the angel spelled with his finger in the air, Uno. Her name was Uno, pronounced “You know!”
GOD GIVES VISIONS IN BEING CARRIED AWAY
In Ezekiel’s vision, he viewed the sights as he was lifted, or carried away, while in the spirit.
Ezek 8:2-3 NKJV
Then I looked, and there was a likeness, like the appearance of fire — from the appearance of His waist and downward, fire; and from His waist and upward, like the appearance of brightness, like the color of amber. He stretched out the form of a hand, and took me by a lock of my hair; and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven, and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the north gate of the inner court
Ezek 43:5 NKJV
The Spirit lifted me up and brought me into the inner court; and behold, the glory of the LORD filled the temple.
This is similar to the experience of “flying” in one’s dreams at night. It is a state where you feel as light and free as a feather, carried by the wings of angels, all the while gazing at the sight around you. An example of this is a dream where I was sent overseas on an intercession assignment. I was cognizant of an angel carrying me, and all the while we were flying low so I was able to see the ocean underneath me and see the islands coming up. Another time, after I had been taken to see certain things, I was flying towards earth and I could see the earth first as a little ball, then it got bigger and bigger as we approached. I realized I was being carried by an angel, as I could see our shadows.
Paul spoke of himself in 2 Corinthians:
“… I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord: I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago — whether in the body I do not know, or whether out of the body I do not know, God knows — such a one was caught up to the third heaven. And I know such a man — whether in the body or out of the body I do not know, God knows — how he was caught up into Paradise and heard inexpressible words…” (vs 1-4 NKJV).
Whether he knew how, Paul at least knew he had been carried away!
VISIONS HAVE A PURPOSE
The following is a list of Biblical references about the purposes of visions:
1. Encouragement, hope, and promise
(To Abram) Genesis 15:1-6
2.Announcement of judgment
(To Samuel about Eli) 1 Samuel 3:1-18
3.Reveals secrets and an interpretation of a dream
(To Daniel) Daniel 2:19
4.Announcement of a servant’s calling
(To Zacharias for John) Luke 1:22
5.Announcement of good tidings
(The women saw a vision of angels announcing Jesus was alive.) Luke 24:23
6.Guidance and explicit instructions
(To Ananias for Saul) Acts 9:10
7.Changes an opinion and gives an assignment
(To Peter about the Gentiles) Acts 11:5-10
8.Guidance to change locations
(For Paul to go to Macedonia) Acts 16:9
