Vision

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A vision is considered to be a God-given mental impression of ‘what can be’. It is received while a person is awake, while a God-inspired dream is similar yet received when asleep. These are two of the ways God can use to speak to us (Job 33:14-17; Amos 7:1,4,7, 8:1, 9:1). When “The eyes of your heart

Visions are not fulfilled by human effort but by the Spirit of God

are enlightened” through such a perception it becomes a goal – beckoning, inspiring change, giving focus, setting the agenda and providing passionate enthusiasm together with motivation, to keep going when under pressure and feeling discouraged (Eph 1:18,19). God speaks and gives direction, yet blessing and fulfillment only comes when there is appropriate action, however we must not rely on human effort but the Spirit of God (Zech 4:6).

Abraham and Jacob received instructions from God through visions (Gen 15:1, 46:2). Many of the OT prophets commenced their writings as “The vision of...” (Isa 1:1; Obad 1:1; Mic 1:1; Nah 1:1; Zech 1:8). Visions are mentioned several times in Ezekiel and Daniel (Ezek 11:22, 43:3; Dan 2:19,45, 7:2,13, 8:1). When the people began to say that no visions were coming to pass, God declared “The days are near when every true vision will be fulfilled. What I say will be fulfilled” (Ezek 12:22-28).

The father of John the Baptist had a face-to-face encounter with the angel of the Lord which the people interpreted as a vision (Lk 1:22). Other examples of people receiving direction through a vision are: Ananias being told to minister to the persecutor Saul (who became Paul), Peter whose viewpoint changed dramatically as a result of what he ‘saw’ and Paul having the call to Macedonia (Act 9:10, 10:9-20, 16:9).

Samuel was only a boy when God gave him his first vision, with the Bible saying in the last days it will be a common occurrence for young men to see visions (1 Sam 3:1-18; Joel 2:28). Paul received numerous visions and revelations from the Lord that would have assisted him in his teaching and writings. Looking back on his life he said, “I obeyed the heavenly vision” (Act 26:19; 2 Cor 12:1-4). We too are responsible to discern and then endeavour to fulfill the dreams and visions we have received, “If it is of man’s origin it will fail, yet if it is of God it can’t be stopped” (Act 5:39). Any God-given vision will agree with the Word of God the ultimate authority. Who knows what may happen because of your perseverance and discipline.

Share God’s vision with others so they can grasp the possibility too, and help fine tune the details – a God-given vision requires a team effort to fully accomplish His directives as they will always be bigger than what one person can achieve alone (Neh 2:17,18). Numerous worthwhile projects

If God gave the vision, He will make the required provision

have been successfully accomplished in various realms of life as people have pushed beyond the boundaries of previous accomplishments, thinking outside the normal parameters and seeing what is possible. Rather than wandering aimlessly, in the secular world a leadership vision gives an idea where an organisation is headed and helps get there.

When Noah had a vision, he built an ark and preserved the human race; when he lost it, he got drunk (Gen 6:22, 9:29,21). When David had a vision he conquered Goliath, when he lost it he couldn’t conquer his lust (1 Sam 17:45-50; 2 Sam 11:4). Your dream will keep you on track, if you maintain your focus, and even after it is fulfilled do not let your defences down but always be involved in the work of the Lord and ask for ‘a new mountain to conquer’ (Josh 14:12; 1 Cor 15:58). Be more focused on the present and the future than the past.

We can also speak pronouncements over our own lives for a God-given vision is conceived by faith, sustained by prayer and fueled by God’s Word. People will often become the ‘vision’ that is repeatedly placed in front of them, just as Jacob’s spotted rods placed before the animals at conception produced multitudes of spotted sheep and goats (Gen 31:10).

It is possible for our own imagination and desires to produce false visions and then for these to be spoken out as ‘Thus says the Lord’, when in fact it is person’s own thoughts and ideas (Ezek 13:2,6). A simple test is to ask who will benefit, self or God’s Kingdom?

“Where there is no revelation [vision], people cast off restraint; but blessed is the one who heeds wisdom’s instruction” (Prov 29:18). Without divine communication, people live without restraint that ultimately will lead to death because to ignore God’s way is to ignore the way of life (Rom 6:23). Yet we are blessed by obeying His instructions to us (Ps 19:11). When we fail to read God’s Word and live it out in our lives, we become people “without vision” so it is essential to have a true understanding of what He requires of us, so we can walk His ways.

In ‘closed’ countries, where access to the Bible and the gospel is limited numerous people come to faith in Christ through dreams and visions as He reveals Himself directly to them as the Saviour.