Worthy Visions For A Bible-Believing Church

WORTHY VISIONS FOR A BIBLE-BELIEVING CHURCH

“Where there is no vision, the people perish: but he who keeps the law, happy is he.”

Proverbs 29:18

We will use this definition of vision: “envisioning the future with hope”. Visions are an important part of Bible history and have a clearly defined future for the people of God. Concerning the days prior to our Lord’s return, Joel 2:28-29: “And it shall come to pass afterward That I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your old men shall dream dreams, Your young men shall see visions. And also on My menservants and on My maidservants I will pour out My Spirit in those days” Joel 2:28-29 (NKJV)

I. THE BIBLE TEACHES OF VARIOUS TYPES OF VISIONS.

Some of the visions revealed in the Scripture occurred at mid-day; others in the night hours; some in the outdoors; some inside. There are many visions described in the Bible. Here are just a few:

Jacob’s a vision of the ladder, angels and the Lord.

“So he came to a certain place and stayed there all night, because the sun had set. And he took one of the stones of that place and put it at his head, and he lay down in that place to sleep. Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending on it. And behold, the LORD stood above it and said: "I am the LORD God of Abraham your father and the God of Isaac; the land on which you lie I will give to you and your descendants.” Genesis 28:11-13 (NKJV)

Moses’ vision of the burning bush.

“Now Moses was tending the flock of Jethro his father-in-law, the priest of Midian. And he led the flock to the back of the desert, and came to Horeb, the mountain of God. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him in a flame of fire from the midst of a bush. So he looked, and behold, the bush was burning with fire, but the bush was not consumed. Then Moses said, "I will now turn aside and see this great sight, why the bush does not burn." So when the LORD saw that he turned aside to look, God called to him from the midst of the bush and said, "Moses, Moses!" And he said, "Here I am." Then He said, "Do not draw near this place. Take your sandals off your feet, for the place where you stand is holy ground." Moreover He said, "I am the God of your father--the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob." And Moses hid his face, for he was afraid to look upon God.” Exodus 3:1-6 (NKJV)

Gideon’s vision of the Lord while threshing wheat:

“Now the Angel of the LORD came and sat under the oak tree which was in Ophrah, which belonged to Joash, while his son Gideon threshed wheat in the winepress, in order to hide it from the Midianites. And the Angel of the LORD appeared to him, and said to him, "The LORD is with thee, thou mighty man of valor!" Judges 6:11-12 (NKJV*)

Elisha’s vision of the rapture of Elijah.

‘Then it happened, as they continued on and talked, that suddenly a chariot of fire appeared with horses of fire, and separated the two of them; and Elijah went up by a whirlwind into heaven.” 2 Kings 2:11 (NKJV)

Isaiah’s vision of the Lord in His glory:

“In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord sitting on a throne, high and lifted up, and the train of His robe filled the temple. Above it stood seraphim; each one had six wings: with two he covered his face, with two he covered his feet, and with two he flew. And one cried to another and said: "Holy, holy, holy is the LORD of hosts; The whole earth is full of His glory!" Isaiah 6:1-3 (NKJV)

Stephen’s vision of the Lord Jesus.

“When they heard these things they were cut to the heart, and they gnashed at him with their teeth. But he, being full of the Holy Spirit, gazed into heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God, and said, "Look! I see the heavens opened and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God!" Acts 7:54-56 (NKJV)

Paul’s vision on the road to Damascus.

“As he journeyed he came near Damascus, and suddenly a light shone around him from heaven. Then he fell to the ground, and heard a voice saying to him, "Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting Me?" And he said, "Who are You, Lord?" Then the Lord said, "I am Jesus, whom you are persecuting. It is hard for you to kick against the goads." So he, trembling and astonished, said, "Lord, what do You want me to do?" Then the Lord said to him, "Arise and go into the city, and you will be told what you must do." Acts 9:3-6 (NKJV)