Visions

Mental pictures used by God to convey messages or reveal future events. They are normally received in private by individuals who are often prophets.

God speaks to individuals in visions

Genesis 46:2–4 See also Genesis 15:1; 1 Samuel 3:10–15; Acts 9:10–12, Acts 10:3–6, Acts 11:5–12, Acts 16:9–10, Acts 18:9–10, Acts 26:12–19

And that night God spoke to Israel in a vision: “Jacob, Jacob!” He said. “Here I am,” replied Jacob. “I am God,” He said, “the God of your father. Do not be afraid to go down to Egypt, for I will make you into a great nation there. I will go down with you to Egypt, and I will surely bring you back. And Joseph’s own hands will close your eyes.”

Visions may reveal future events

Daniel 8:17–19 See also Daniel 7:15–18, Daniel 7:23–27; Amos 7:7–9; Luke 1:11–22; Revelation 22:6

As he came near to where I stood, I was terrified and fell facedown. “Son of man,” he said to me, “understand that the vision concerns the time of the end.” While he was speaking with me, I fell into a deep sleep, with my face to the ground. Then he touched me, helped me to my feet, and said, “Behold, I will make known to you what will happen in the latter time of wrath, because it concerns the appointed time of the end.

Visions may contain unusual or startling images

Zechariah 1:8 See also Ezekiel 1:4–28; Daniel 4:10–17, Daniel 7:2–15, Daniel 8:2–14; Revelation 1:12–16, Revelation 4:1–11, Revelation 9:17

I looked out into the night and saw a man riding on a red horse. He was standing among the myrtle trees in the hollow, and behind him were red, sorrel, and white horses.

Visions received by prophets

Numbers 12:6 See also Isaiah 6:1–4; Jeremiah 1:11–16; Ezekiel 1:1; Hosea 12:10; Amos 7:1–9

He said, “Hear now My words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will reveal Myself to him in a vision; I will speak to him in a dream.

Visions recorded by prophets

2 Chronicles 32:32 See also 2 Chronicles 9:29; Isaiah 1:1; Daniel 7:1, Daniel 8:1; Obadiah 1:1; Micah 1:1; Nahum 1:1

As for the rest of the acts of Hezekiah and his deeds of loving devotion, they are indeed written in the vision of the prophet Isaiah son of Amoz in the Book of the Kings of Judah and Israel.

False visions associated with lying prophets

Ezekiel 13:6–9 See also 1 Kings 22:10–28 parallel 2 Chronicles 18:9–27; Jeremiah 14:14, Jeremiah 23:16; Lamentations 2:14; Ezekiel 22:28; Zechariah 10:2

They see false visions and speak lying divinations. They claim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ when the LORD did not send them; yet they wait for the fulfillment of their message. Haven’t you seen a false vision and spoken a lying divination when you proclaim, ‘Thus declares the LORD,’ even though I have not spoken? Therefore this is what the Lord GOD says: Because you have uttered vain words and seen false visions, I am against you, declares the Lord GOD. My hand will be against the prophets who see false visions and speak lying divinations. They will not belong to the council of My people or be recorded in the register of the house of Israel, nor will they enter the land of Israel. Then you will know that I am the Lord GOD.

God may withhold visions

1 Samuel 3:1 See also Lamentations 2:9; Ezekiel 7:26; Micah 3:6

And the boy Samuel ministered to the LORD before Eli. Now in those days the word of the LORD was rare, and visions were scarce.

Visions associated with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit

Acts 2:17 See also Joel 2:28

‘In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.