HOW CAN WE KNOW THAT A VISION COMES FROM GOD & WHAT IT MEANS?

“I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets” Hosea 12:10.

“And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions” Joel 2:28.

Many people are receiving visions these days and it’s important to know the source of them as well as being able to verify their validity. I’m not getting into all of the different types of visions in this teaching, I may elaborate more about that in another message.

First of all, it’s important to note that most visions we receive are allegorical in nature. Typically when we see something in the spirit whether it is something seen in nature or not, the scenery usually symbolizes something. For example, if one is shown an open door, the door would mean a new opportunity or a new beginning for that person. A lot of times this door would mean something about a ministry or a job.

If someone is given a key, the key if it is golden in appearance, and they take it, means that they are now to be given prophetic authority. A staff if it is encrusted with gems, means the person is being brought into the Apostolic office. If one is shown a baby or perhaps a flower beginning to bloom, this person is usually being “birthed” into a new ministry.

Now it needs to be said that a baby being seen in the spirit may actually mean that the birth of a baby in their family or someone else, may actually be seen in the natural and happen. When one sees water being poured upon the ground from a pitcher or a container, usually this means the Holy Spirit is being poured out either upon a person, group, or area. The same is true when oil is being poured out. Now it is also true that when one sees a flood of water or fire, or other catastrophic effects of nature, that they may actually be seeing something that is going to happen in real life. A rift in the earth, or a huge wall of water coming upon the land, may well actually mean that the earth’s crust will open-up or that an area will experience a great flood and devastation.

There are Godly visions and there are also dark and menacing visions. If one sees something in the spirit and there is no hope or promise being given, then this message (vision) may well be coming from the enemy. Even when one is shown something that is very devastating and destructive, God will also show and provide something that gives hope to the people and a way out.

Even though visions may appear at first to be difficult to understand, the Holy Spirit will give clarity to the person so that they will comprehend what God is showing to them.

Lastly, God will sometimes give a prophetic word that will accompany the vision. When this happens, then there should be no doubt about what was being shown in the vision. This is because the Holy Spirit will speak further and with more details about what was in the vision.

When we are given visions or dreams from the Lord, we need to know that this is one way in which He speaks to us. This isn’t the only way, but it can be a useful tool in understanding how God communicates with His people.

Selah,
~ Stephen Hanson

Stephen Hanson of In His Truth Ministries came to the LORD is a special way in 1975 and has prophesied regularly since. In these end-time birthing pangs we are reminded that judgment must first begin with the household of God. Will we be prepared and ready?

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