Is it possible to have a vision of the Lord?

Visions in the bible

There are a number of times that the Lord spoke to people through visions in the bible. People such as Saul of Tarsus, Isaiah, Daniel, and the apostle John were all spoken to in visions sent by the Lord. Not all the visions were visions where they saw the Lord, and when compared to the bulk of scripture, they make up such a small part. Considering the period of time the bible was written over, there were very few visions over a few thousand years, so they really were a rare thing. The Lord spoke too in dreams to people, such as Jacob, and the wise men. Dreams would have been when the people were asleep, and visions when awake.

Incomplete scriptures

The Lord spoke and worked in a different way in bible times than He did today. His word wasn't yet complete, so people didn't know exactly what they should do or should be doing, so God would clearly guide them and show they what they should do through things like visions, and dreams. Because God's word wasn't yet complete, He had to work in a miraculous way. Through things that ween't normal, He could make sure that people knew that what was happening, the message that was coming was definitely from Him. There was no doubt about it, there were no maybe's. It would have been clear this was the Lord, and His work.

Today, we have Gods word completed and He doesn't have to guide us in a special way. Everything we need for eternal life is found in the bible. Indeed every principle we need to be able to live our lives on this earth is found in Gods word.

We read this in 1 Corinthians 13

8 Charity never faileth: but whether there be prophecies, they shall fail; whether there be tongues, they shall cease; whether there be knowledge, it shall vanish away. 9 For we know in part, and we prophesy in part. 10 But when that which is perfect is come, then that which is in part shall be done away.

When that which is perfect, or complete is come, then that which is in part will be done away.

We don't need dreams or visions any more, as they only ever told part of the story. They could only give an incomplete message. But when it combined with the rest of Gods word, and it was all completed, we have a perfect and complete word from God.

What about those who say they have seen the Lord today?

If someone claims to have had a vision today, is it in line with Gods word? Maybe they claim that God spoke to them and told them that they are to marry you. Well God hasn't laid out any process like that for us to live our lives by in His word so you know that what they are saying is out of line.

But even if they say something that is in line with Gods word, such as I saw a vision that Christ died on the Cross for our sins. Well, Gods word already tells us that, so why would He then need to tell us the same thing in a vision.

We don't need visions, so God will speak to us through His word. It's there and accessible to us. It's understandable if we come to God for understanding.

God's guidance today

So does God guide us today? He used visions in the past to guide and increase understanding.

Well, yes He does. There's a book that goes into much more depth than I can. It's by pastor, and called Steps for guidance and it talks about a number of the principles. But God guides through principles in His word. If we're out of line with those principles, then we can know that God isn't guiding us to that thing. He will also overrule through circumstances. Maybe one door opens and another one closes. He will guide us to what we should do with our lives, and in all the major decisions. Remember to pray too, and God is a God who will hear our prayers, and guide and teach us His will.