Re:Verse reading–Acts 16:11-34 (day six)
A vision appeared to Paul during the night: A Macedonian man was standing there urging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us!” Acts 16:9
What we wouldn’t give for such clarity? God still is very much in the business of revealing himself in visions, but mostly in other parts of the world it seems. If only God would reveal to us our next steps through a vision, right? I think it is important to note God did not reveal Paul’s next steps in a vision till after he had made attempts to return to churches in Asia twice, each time the Holy Spirit prevented his return. It is important because it informs us that Paul was not waiting around for a vision. No, he was faithfully pursuing what he knew God had already called him to do, and only then God provided the vision.
Let me ask you, what if the reason we don’t experience supernatural visions from God is because we aren’t faithfully pursuing what He has already clearly revealed to us in the Bible? Or what if the reason we don’t experience visions is simply because it isn’t necessary when God already has supernaturally made His will known to us in His Word?
How about you? Are you faithfully obeying what God has already spoken? God is very much still in the business of revealing himself, even our next steps, they just happen to be supernaturally and conveniently written down in an incredible book that we all to often take for granted.
It is supernatural to receive God’s visions. God chooses His communication style and mechanisms to reach those He wanted to reach for doing His work. I am convinced God will reveal himself through visions as an instrument to make His message known to any areas in the world if He chooses.
Paul heard God’s voice when the Bible was not yet available. God’s voice, as such, was an instrument of divine communication, of God’s communication to His followers and those who believe in Him.
Can hearing God’s voice be considered a vision or a dream? In Paul’s case, he definitely received a vision from God as he was awake, not during his sleep. Paul obeyed God and pursued God’s plan for his work.
Are there instances where people said they heard God’s voice or received a vision from God telling them what to do? And what were the outcomes? Right or wrong, good or evil?
Nowadays if someone told me they received God’s instructions to act on something, I would ask how they received and whether they have used the Bible for cross-references to ensure that what they heard was not a bad dream! The Bible is God’s instruction in writing. It is a valid communication instrument for fulfilling God’s plan for the earth.
I believe that God is still at work through the Holy Spirit and provides His visions to missionaries in other parts of the world where people don’t have access to the Bible. He is God and nothing is impossible with Him. Go with the Bible as it is the word of God. It is God’s instructions!
Will you check against he Bible from what you heard when people told you they received God’s visions or voices?