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Encounters With God: Examining Examples Of People Who Had Visions Of God In The Bible – Viral Believer
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Encounters With God: Examining Examples Of People Who Had Visions Of God In The Bible

Introduction

Have you ever had a moment when you felt like God was speaking to you?

For some people, this might happen often. But for others, it might be a rare experience. In the Bible, there are a number of stories about people who had visions of God.

These visions can be incredibly powerful, and they often have a profound impact on the people involved. In this article, we’ll take a closer look at some of these encounters with God.

vision from God

Introduction to Visions of God in the Bible

There are many examples of people in the Bible who had visions of God. Some of these include Abraham, Moses, and Ezekiel. In each of these cases, the person who had the vision was changed in some way by the experience.

For example, Abraham was told by God that he would be the father of many nations. This was a significant change for Abraham, who had previously been childless. Moses was also changed by his encounter with God.

After seeing God, Moses became a more confident leader and was able to lead the Israelites out of slavery. Ezekiel’s vision of God was so powerful that it caused him to fall on his face. This experience changed Ezekiel’s life, and he became a prophet.

There are many other examples of people in the Bible who had encounters with God. Some of these include Jacob, who saw God in a dream, and Joseph, who was visited by an angel. These experiences changed the lives of those who had them, and they often had a profound impact on the people around them as well.

The Burning Bush – Moses & God

You encounter God in the burning bush.

This is where Moses first meets Him, and God reveals His name to Moses. The bush is burning, but it’s not being consumed by the fire. This is symbolic of God’s presence, which is eternal and pure.

God tells Moses that He has seen the oppression of His people and is going to rescue them. He also commissions Moses to be their leader. This encounter sets in motion the events that lead to the Exodus from Egypt.

Jacob’s Ladder – Jacob & God

Jacob’s Ladder is a story found in the book of Genesis in the Bible.

In it, Jacob is fleeing from his brother Esau, and he has a vision of a ladder reaching up to heaven. God is at the top of the ladder, and he speaks to Jacob.

This encounter is significant because it’s one of the first times that someone in the Bible talks directly to God. It’s also interesting because Jacob is running away from God at the time. He’s afraid of his brother, and he doesn’t think that he deserves God’s blessings.

But despite all this, Jacob is still able to have a conversation with God. He asks for protection and for his brother to be forgiven. This encounter teaches us that we can talk to God no matter what we’re feeling or what we’ve done wrong.

Joseph’s Dreams – Joseph & God

Joseph is one of the most popular examples of someone who had direct encounters with God in the Bible. When Joseph was just a young man, he had two very important dreams.

In both of these dreams, God spoke directly to Joseph and gave him instructions. In the first dream, God told Joseph that his brothers would bow down to him one day, and in the second dream, God confirmed that Joseph would be given honor and power within his own family.

These dreams ultimately allowed Joseph to fulfill his destiny as a leader in Egypt. He was able to interpret a Pharaoh’s mysterious dreams correctly because he recognized that it was a message from God.

Throughout the rest of Joseph’s life, he continued to serve God faithfully, and as a result, he was rewarded with great success.

The Apostle Paul’s Vision – Paul & Jesus

The Apostle Paul’s vision of Jesus is an interesting one. In his narrative, Paul recounted how he was on his way to Damascus when a bright light from heaven appeared and knocked him to the ground. The voice he heard was that of Jesus, who said, “Saul, Saul why are you persecuting me?”

Paul was so astonished by this experience that he asked for God’s guidance.

In his letter to the Corinthians, he wrote about the incredible feeling of being in God’s presence saying, “I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows.”. 2 Corinthians 12:2

He further described how he spent three days without sight while praying and fasting. Through this time of reflection and meditation on God’s Word, Paul became convicted to serve Jesus and eventually went on to become one of the most influential leaders of Christianity.

He also reported that after this meeting with Jesus, he received a heavenly light and divine revelation that changed him for good.

The Transfiguration – Peter, James & John & Jesus

Have you ever heard of the Transfiguration? This was an experience of divine revelation when Jesus appeared to three of His disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration – Peter, James, and John.

In the mountainside vision, Jesus is surrounded by an illuminated cloud that spoke the words, “This is my Son, whom I have chosen; listen to Him!”

The disciples also witnessed Elijah and Moses who represented God’s glory in earlier eras. After this miraculous phenomenon, a terrified Peter suggested building three monuments to honor Jesus, Moses, and Elijah.

But then suddenly, a dazzling light confused them and caused them to fall down with fear. They then heard a voice from heaven saying, “Listen to Him!” It was God Himself who spoke! Once again, it served as a reminder for them to listen to Jesus as He alone could provide salvation from sin.

What an amazing account! This mountaintop encounter showed Jesus’ splendor with godly power and provided clear evidence that He should be revered above all else. It was an experience so powerful that even today, we can still learn from what happened on that mountaintop so many years ago.

Conclusion

When it comes to visions of God, the Bible is packed with them. But what do they mean? What is the Holy Spirit trying to show us when we encounter God in this way?

For starters, visions of God can differ greatly. They can be anything from a bright light to a burning bush. And they’re not always meant to be seen by the person experiencing them—sometimes, they’re meant for other people to witness.

No matter what form they take, though, visions of God are always meant to get our attention. They’re a sign that God is trying to communicate with us, and they should never be taken lightly.

Pastor Duke Taber
Pastor Duke Taber

Pastor Duke Taber

All articles have been written or reviewed by Pastor Duke Taber.
Pastor Duke Taber is an alumnus of Life Pacific University and Multnomah Biblical Seminary.
He has been in pastoral ministry since 1988.
Today he is the owner and managing editor of 3 successful Christian websites that support missionaries around the world.
He is currently starting a brand new church in Mesquite NV called Mesquite Worship Center, a Non-Denominational Spirit Filled Christian church in Mesquite Nevada.