Let no one be found among you who sacrifices their son or daughter in the fire, who practices divination or sorcery, interprets omens, engages in witchcraft, or casts spells, or who is a medium or spiritist or who consults the dead. –Deuteronomy 18:10-11 (NIV)
When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.But this is not true of my servant Moses; he is faithful in all my house.With him I speak face to face, clearly and not in riddles; he sees the form of the Lord. –Numbers 12:6-8 (NIV)
In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. –Acts 2:17 (NIV)
These signs will accompany those who believe: in my name they will drive out demons; they will speak in new tongues; they will pick up snakes with their hands; and when they drink deadly poison, it will not hurt them at all; they will place their hands on sick people, and they will get well. –Jesus in Mark 16:17-18 (NIV)
Jesus asked him, “What is your name?” “Legion,” he replied, because many demons had gone into him. –Luke 8:30 (NIV)
A number who had practiced sorcery brought their scrolls together and burned them publicly. –Acts 19:19 (NIV)
We know in part and we prophesy in part…two or three prophets should speak, and the others should weigh carefully what is said. –1 Corinthians 13:9; 14:29 (NIV)
Robert Tuttle, Mysticism in the Wesleyan Tradition.
Henry Rack, Reasonable Enthusiast: John Wesley and the Rise of Methodism, pp. 434-435. “Charismatic or simply eccentric Methodist preachers sometimes had the reputation of being wizards, and on occasion they were effective in the role of healers or exorcists as well as agents of spiritual salvation…It has been plausibly argued that one reason for the success of Methodism, especially in areas like Cornwall where folklore and magic were particularly strong, was that Methodism was able to offer a fairly highly-coloured supernatural world of its own as a substitute and counter-attraction for the traditional one…the Methodist supernatural world, officially at least, sanitized and scripturalized what was accepted: dreams, visions and healing were sanctioned; demons were exorcized; but resort to charms and witchcraft were opposed.”
Harald Lindstrom, Wesley and Sanctification (soteriology).
Ira Milligan, Understanding the Dreams You Dream: Biblical Keys for Hearing God’s Voice in the Night (Treasure House, 1997).
St. Peter of Alcantara, Treatise on Prayer and Meditation (TAN Books, 2010).
Thomas Dubay, Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel on Prayer (Ignatius Press, 1989).
Gabriele Amorth, An Exorcist Tells His Story.
Gottfried and Theoderic, The Life of the Holy Hildegard.
Bonaventure, Life of St. Francis.
Robert Graves, ed. Strangers to Fire: When Tradition Trumps Scripture (The Foundation for Pentecostal Scholarship, 2014). Twenty-six charismatic scholars have written essays refuting the cessationist doctrine as taught by John MacArthur. 604 pages.
Adomnan of Iona, Life of St. Columba (Penguin Classics, 1995).
David Wilkerson, The Vision (and his biography by his son).
Kathryn Kuhlman, I Believe in Miracles.
Harold Horton, The Gifts of the Spirit.
Walter Martin, The Kingdom of the Occult.
John Weldon, Occult Shock and Psychic Forces.
Douglas Groothuis, Unmasking the New Age.
—. Confronting the New Age.
Dave Hunt, The Seduction of Christianity.
—. Occult Invasion.
John Wimber, Power Evangelism.
—. Power Healing.
—. Power Encounters.
—. Power Points.
Jack Deere, Surprised by the Power of the Spirit.
—. Surprised by the Voice of God.
—. Why I Am Still Surprised by the Power of the Spirit.
—. Why I Am Still Surprised by the Voice of God.
—. The Beginner’s Guide to the Gift of Prophecy.
John Paul Jackson, The Biblical Model of Dream Interpretation.
—. Prophets and Psychics.
Wayne Grudem, Systematic Theology.
—. The Gift of Prophecy in the New Testament and Today.
Sam Storms, The Beginner’s Guide to Spiritual Gifts.
—. Understanding Spiritual Gifts.
Guy Chevreau, Catch the Fire (Jonathan Edwards link to the Vineyard).
Ronald Kydd, Charismatic Gifts in the Early Church.
Daniel Jennings, The Supernatural Occurrences of John Wesley.
Jeff Doles, Miracles and Manifestations.
Thomas Boys, The Suppressed Evidence.
Steve Thompson, You May All Prophesy.
Larry Randolph, Spirit Talk: Hearing the Voice of God.
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to VISIONS AND REVELATIONS from the Lord. 2 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. 3 And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows—4 was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell. 5 I will boast about a man like that, but I will not boast about myself, except about my weaknesses. 6 Even if I should choose to boast, I would not be a fool, because I would be speaking the truth. But I refrain, so no one will think more of me than is warranted by what I do or say, 7 or because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, IN ORDER TO KEEP ME FROM BECOMING CONCEITED, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. 8 Three times I pleaded with the Lord to take it away from me. 9 But he said to me, “My grace is sufficient for you, for my power is made perfect in weakness.” Therefore I will boast all the more gladly about my weaknesses, so that Christ’s power may rest on me. 10 That is why, for Christ’s sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For WHEN I AM WEAK, then I am strong. –2 Corinthians 12:1-10 (NIV)
Some faced JEERS and flogging, and even chains and imprisonment. They were put to death by stoning; they were sawed in two; they were killed by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins, DESTITUTE, persecuted and MISTREATED—the world was not worthy of them. They wandered in deserts and mountains, LIVING IN CAVES and in holes in the ground. –Hebrews 11:36-38 (NIV)
From there Elisha went up to Bethel. As he was walking along the road, some boys came out of the town and jeered at him. “Get out of here, BALDY!” they said. “Get out of here, BALDY!” –2 Kings 2:23 (NIV)
When your herds and flocks grow large and your silver and gold increase and all you have is multiplied, then YOUR HEART WILL BECOME PROUD and you will forget the Lord your God. –Deuteronomy 8:13-14 (NIV)
The rich should take pride in their HUMILIATION—since they will pass away like a wild flower. 11 For the sun rises with scorching heat and withers the plant; its blossom falls and its beauty is destroyed. In the same way, the rich will fade away even while they go about their business.12 Blessed is the one who perseveres under trial because, having stood the TEST, that person will receive the crown of life that the Lord has promised to those who love him.13 When tempted, no one should say, “God is tempting me.” For God cannot be tempted by evil, nor does he tempt anyone; 14 but each person is tempted when they are dragged away by their own evil desire and enticed. 15 Then, after desire has conceived, it gives birth to sin; and sin, when it is full-grown, gives birth to death. –James 1:10-15 (NIV)
Of making many books there is no end; and MUCH STUDY is a weariness of the flesh [READING A LOT OF THEOLOGY WEAKENS THE FLESHLY NATURE]. –Ecclesiastes 12:12 (KJV)
Walk in the Spirit, and ye shall not fulfil the lust of the flesh. –Galatians 5:16 (KJV)
I keep under my body, and bring it into subjection: lest that by any means, when I have preached to others, I myself should be a castaway. –1 Corinthians 9:27 (KJV)
Here is a trustworthy saying: Whoever aspires to be an overseer desires a noble task. 2 Now the overseer is to be above reproach, faithful to his wife, temperate, self-controlled, respectable, hospitable, able to teach, 3 not given to drunkenness, not violent but gentle, not quarrelsome, not a lover of money. 4 He must manage his own family well and see that his children obey him, and he must do so in a manner worthy of full respect. 5 (If anyone does not know how to manage his own family, how can he take care of God’s church?) 6 He must not be a recent convert, or he may become conceited and fall under the same judgment as the devil. 7 He must also have a good reputation with outsiders, so that he will not fall into disgrace and into the devil’s trap.8 In the same way, deacons are to be worthy of respect, sincere, not indulging in much wine, and not pursuing dishonest gain. 9 They must keep hold of the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience. 10 They must first be tested; and then if there is nothing against them, let them serve as deacons.11 In the same way, the women are to be worthy of respect, not malicious talkers but temperate and trustworthy in everything.12 A deacon must be faithful to his wife and must manage his children and his household well. 13 Those who have served well gain an excellent standing and great assurance in their faith in Christ Jesus. –1 Timothy 3:1-12 (NIV)
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MATTHEW HENRY COMMENTARY
Duties of Bishops and Deacons.
A. D. 64.
1 This is a true saying, If a man desire the office of a bishop, he desireth a good work. 2 A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach; 3 Not given to wine, no striker, not greedy of filthy lucre; but patient, not a brawler, not covetous; 4 One that ruleth well his own house, having his children in subjection with all gravity; 5 (For if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God?) 6 Not a novice, lest being lifted up with pride he fall into the condemnation of the devil. 7 Moreover he must have a good report of them which are without; lest he fall into reproach and the snare of the devil.
The two epistles to Timothy, and that to Titus, contain a scripture-plan of church-government, or a direction to ministers. Timothy, we suppose, was an evangelist who was left at Ephesus, to take care of those whom the Holy Ghost had made bishops there, that is, the presbyters, as appears by Acts 20:28, where the care of the church was committed to the presbyters, and they were called bishops. It seems they were very loth to part with Paul, especially because he told them they should see his face no more (Acts 20:38); for their church was but newly planted, they were afraid of undertaking the care of it, and therefore Paul left Timothy with them to set them in order. And here we have the character of a gospel minister, whose office it is, as a bishop, to preside in a particular congregation of Christians: If a man desires the office of a bishop, he desires a good work,1 Timothy 3:1; 1 Timothy 3:1. Observe,
I. The ministry is a work. However the office of a bishop may be now thought a good preferment, then it was thought a good work. 1. The office of a scripture-bishop is an office of divine appointment, and not of human invention. The ministry is not a creature of the state, and it is a pity that the minister should be at any time the tool of the state. The office of the ministry was in the church before the magistrate countenanced Christianity, for this office is one of the great gifts Christ has bestowed on the church, Ephesians 4:8-11. 2. This office of a Christian bishop is a work, which requires diligence and application: the apostle represents it under the notion and character of a work; not of great honour and advantage, for ministers should always look more to their work than to the honour and advantage of their office. 3. It is a good work, a work of the greatest importance, and designed for the greatest good: the ministry is conversant about no lower concerns than the life and happiness of immortal souls; it is a good work, because designed to illustrate the divine perfections in bringing many sons to glory; the ministry is appointed to open men’s eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, c., Acts 26:18. 4. There ought to be an earnest desire of the office in those who would be put into it if a man desire, he should earnestly desire it for the prospect he has of bringing greater glory to God, and of doing the greatest good to the souls of men by this means. This is the question proposed to those who offer themselves to the ministry of the church of England: “Do you think you are moved by the Holy Ghost to take upon you this office?”
II. In order to the discharge of this office, the doing of this work, the workman must be qualified. 1. A minister must be blameless, he must not lie under any scandal; he must give as little occasion for blame as can be, because this would be a prejudice to his ministry and would reflect reproach upon his office. 2. He must be the husband of one wife; not having given a bill of divorce to one, and then taken another, or not having many wives at once, as at that time was too common both among Jews and Gentiles, especially among the Gentiles. 3. He must be vigilant and watchful against Satan, that subtle enemy; he must watch over himself, and the souls of those who are committed to his charge, of whom having taken the oversight, he must improve all opportunities of doing them good. A minister ought to be vigilant, because our adversary the devil goes about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour, 1 Peter 5:8. 4. He must be sober, temperate, moderate in all his actions, and in the use of all creature-comforts. Sobriety and watchfulness are often in scripture put together, because they mutually befriend one another: Be sober, be vigilant. 5. He must be of good behaviour, composed and solid, and not light, vain, and frothy. 6. He must be given to hospitality, open-handed to strangers, and ready to entertain them according to his ability, as one who does not set his heart upon the wealth of the world and who is a true lover of his brethren. 7. Apt to teach. Therefore this is a preaching bishop whom Paul describes, one who is both able and willing to communicate to others the knowledge which God has given him, one who is fit to teach and ready to take all opportunities of giving instructions, who is himself well instructed in the things of the kingdom of heaven, and is communicative of what he knows to others. 8. No drunkard: Not given to wine. The priests were not to drink wine when they went in to minister (Leviticus 10:8; Leviticus 10:9), lest they should drink and pervert the law. 9. No striker; one who is not quarrelsome, nor apt to use violence to any, but does every thing with mildness, love, and gentleness. The servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle towards all, c., 2 Timothy 2:24. 10. One who is not greedy of filthy lucre, who does not make his ministry to truckle to any secular design or interest, who uses no mean, base, sordid ways of getting money, who is dead to the wealth of this world, lives above it, and makes it appear he is so. 11. He must be patient, and not a brawler, of a mild disposition. Christ, the great Shepherd and Bishop of souls, is so. Not apt to be angry or quarrelsome as not a striker with his hands, so not a brawler with his tongue; for how shall men teach others to govern their tongues who do not make conscience of keeping them under good government themselves? 12. Not covetous. Covetousness is bad in any, but it is worst in a minister, whose calling leads him to converse so much with another world. 13. He must be one who keeps his family in good order: That rules well his own house, that he may set a good example to other masters of families to do so too, and that he may thereby give a proof of his ability to take care of the church of God: For, if a man know not how to rule his own house, how shall he take care of the church of God. Observe, The families of ministers ought to be examples of good to all others families. Ministers must have their children in subjection; then it is the duty of ministers’ children to submit to the instructions that are given them.–With all gravity. The best way to keep inferiors in subjection, is to be grave with them. Not having his children in subjection with all austerity, but with all gravity. 14. He must not be a novice, not one newly brought to the Christian religion, or not one who is but meanly instructed in it, who knows no more of religion than the surface of it, for such a one is apt to be lifted up with pride: the more ignorant men are the more proud they are: Lest, being lifted up with pride, he fall into the condemnation of the devil. The devils fell through pride, which is a good reason why we should take heed of pride, because it is a sin that turned angels into devils. 15. He must be of good reputation among his neighbours, and under no reproach from former conversation; for the devil will make use of that to ensnare others, and work in them an aversion to the doctrine of Christ preached by those who have not had a good report.
III. Upon the whole, having briefly gone through the qualifications of a gospel-bishop, we may infer, 1. What great reason we have to cry out, as Paul does, Who is sufficient for these things?2 Corinthians 2:16. Hic labor, hoc opus–This is a work indeed. What piety, what prudence, what zeal, what courage, what faithfulness, what watchfulness over ourselves, our lusts, appetites, and passions, and over those under our charge; I say, what holy watchfulness is necessary in this work! 2. Have not the best qualified and the most faithful and conscientious ministers just reason to complain against themselves, that so much is requisite by way of qualification, and so much work is necessary to be done? And, alas! how far short do the best come of what they should be and what they should do! 3. Yet let those bless God, and be thankful, whom the Lord has enabled, and counted faithful, putting them into the ministry: if God is pleased to make any in some degree able and faithful, let him have the praise and glory of it. 4. For the encouragement of all faithful ministers, we have Christ’s gracious word of promise, Lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world,Matthew 28:20. And, if he be with us, he will fit us for our work in some measure, will carry us through the difficulties of it with comfort, graciously pardon our imperfections, and reward our faithfulness with a crown of glory that fadeth not away, 1 Peter 5:4.
Qualifications of Deacons.
A. D. 64.
8 Likewise must the deacons be grave, not doubletongued, not given to much wine, not greedy of filthy lucre; 9 Holding the mystery of the faith in a pure conscience. 10 And let these also first be proved; then let them use the office of a deacon, being found blameless. 11 Even so must their wives be grave, not slanderers, sober, faithful in all things. 12 Let the deacons be the husbands of one wife, ruling their children and their own houses well. 13 For they that have used the office of a deacon well purchase to themselves a good degree, and great boldness in the faith which is in Christ Jesus.
We have here the character of deacons: these had the care of the temporal concerns of the church, that is, the maintenance of the ministers and provision for the poor: they served tables, while the ministers or bishops gave themselves only to the ministry of the word and prayer, Acts 6:2; Acts 6:4. Of the institution of this office, with that which gave occasion to it, you have an account in Acts 6:1-7. Now it was requisite that deacons should have a good character, because they were assistants to the ministers, appeared and acted publicly, and had a great trust reposed in them. They must be grave. Gravity becomes all Christians, but especially those who are in the office in the church. Not doubled-tongued; that will say one thing to one and another thing to another, according as their interests leads them: a double tongue comes from a double heart; flatterers and slanderers are double-tongued. Not given to much wine; for this is a great disparagement to any man, especially to a Christian, and one in office, unfits men for business, opens the door to many temptations. Not greedy of filthy lucre; this would especially be bad in the deacons, who were entrusted with the church’s money, and, if they were covetous and greedy of filthy lucre, would be tempted to embezzle it, and convert that to their own use which was intended for the public service. Holding the mystery of faith in a pure conscience,1 Timothy 3:9; 1 Timothy 3:9. Note, The mystery of faith is best held in a pure conscience. The practical love of truth is the most powerful preservative from error and delusion. If we keep a pure conscience (take heed of every thing that debauches conscience, and draws us away from God), this will preserve in our souls the mystery of faith. Let these also first be proved,1 Timothy 3:10; 1 Timothy 3:10. It is not fit that the public trusts should be lodged in the hands of any, till they have been first proved, and found fit for the business they are to be entrusted with; the soundness of their judgments, their zeal for Christ, and the blamelessness of their conversation, must be proved. Their wives likewise must have a good character (1 Timothy 3:11; 1 Timothy 3:11); they must be of a grave behaviour, not slanderers, tale-bearers, carrying stories to make mischief and sow discord; they must be sober and faithful in all things, not given to any excess, but trusty in all that is committed to them. All who are related to ministers must double their care to walk as becomes the gospel of Christ, lest, if they in any thing walk disorderly, the ministry be blamed. As he said before of the bishops or ministers, so here of the deacons, they must be the husband of one wife, such as had not put away their wives, upon dislike, and married others; they must rule their children and their own houses well; the families of deacons should be examples to other families. And the reason why the deacons must be thus qualified is (1 Timothy 3:13; 1 Timothy 3:13) because, though the office of a deacon be of an inferior degree, yet it is a step towards the higher degree; and those who had served tables well the church might see cause afterwards to discharge from that service, and prefer to serve in preaching the word and in prayer. Or it may be meant of the good reputation that a man would gain by his fidelity in this office: they will purchase to themselves great boldness in the faith that is in Christ Jesus. Observe, 1. In the primitive church there were but two orders of ministers or officers, bishops and deacons,Philippians 1:1. After-ages have invented the rest. The office of the bishop, presbyter, pastor, or minister, was confined to prayer and to the ministry of the word; and the office of the deacon was confined to, or at least principally conversant about, serving tables. Clemens Romanus, in his epistle to the Christian (cap. 42, 44), speaks very fully and plainly to this effect, that the apostles, foreknowing, by our Lord Jesus Christ, that there would arise in the Christian church a controversy about the name episcopacy, appointed the forementioned orders, bishops and deacons. 2. The scripture-deacon’s main employment was to serve tables, and not to preach or baptize. It is true, indeed, that Philip did preach and baptize in Samaria (Acts 8:4-25), but you read that he was an evangelist (Acts 21:8), and he might preach and baptize, and perform any other part of the ministerial office, under that character; but still the design of the deacon’s office was to mind the temporal concerns of the church, such as the salaries of the ministers and providing for the poor. 3. Several qualifications were very necessary, even for these inferior officers: The deacons must be grave, &c. 4. Some trial should be made of persons’ qualifications before they are admitted into office in the church, or have any trust committed to them: Let these also first be proved. 5. Integrity and uprightness in an inferior office are the way to be preferred to a higher station in the church: They purchase to themselves a good degree. 6. This will also give a man great boldness in the faith, whereas a want of integrity and uprightness will make a man timorous, and ready to tremble at his own shadow. The wicked fleeth when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion,Proverbs 28:1.
If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing. –1 Corinthians 13:2 (NIV)
If an unbeliever or an inquirer comes in while everyone is prophesying, they are convicted of sin and are brought under judgment by all,as the secrets of their hearts are laid bare. So they will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!” –1 Corinthians 14:24-25 (NIV)
Because of these surpassingly great revelations. Therefore, in order to keep me from becoming conceited, I was given a thorn in my flesh, a messenger of Satan, to torment me. –2 Corinthians 12:7 (NIV)
What shall we say, then? Shall we go on sinning so that grace may increase?By no means! We are those who have died to sin; how can we live in it any longer? –Romans 6:1-2 (NIV)
“Woe to me!” I cried. “I am ruined! For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.”Then one of the seraphim flew to me with a live coal in his hand, which he had taken with tongs from the altar.With it he touched my mouth and said, “See, this has touched your lips; your guilt is taken away and your sin atoned for.” Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” –Isaiah 6:5-8 (NIV)
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[Chorus: P.O.D. & Dirt] Babylon, breathe Babylon
[Verse 1: Dirt] I see you people babble on and on and on Graven images, golden idols, and false icons I’m seeking wisdom like Solomon But my antenna keeps on picking up evil transmissions At headquarters I receive my mission: Blow up the ruler of the air like nuclear fission So I analyze my weapons: Laser guided rifles that shoot spiritual wisdom I think I see enemy warriors Fragile heathens that run stuff like mayors So with brothas that snuff punks We set up time bombs to destroy the strongholds of Babylon
[Verse 2: P.O.D.] We be the tribes under grace, a righteous minority Decadent culture make you forget your spiritual priority Back down by the movement, soldiers who will serve ya Open to be used by God, destroy you like Medo-Persia Jewel of all kingdoms, live evil, purified horror, take you down And overthrow you like Sodom and Gomorrah Strong arm of the law, guilty of all crimes Like the great prophet Isaiah: Predict your fall all fifty times Got rhymes you could never use For the purpose you be using, I’ll dance over your fields Present day Iraq still lies in ruins Filled with lies and backstab persuasions Bumrushed, get crushed by us, this rescue invasion
[Bridge] Look to the sky, heed the warning The shadow is coming, the shadow is coming The plagues are coming, the plagues are coming I feel the breath of the death beast
[Verse 3: P.O.D. & Dirt] Misled bureaucracy, full of hypocrisy I gotta steel pulse, lookin’ for true democracy Destruction, now your walls have fallen Just sittin’ here waiting for the train to Zion Sit down in the dust, Babylon, without a throne to call your own, its 47:1 The city has fallen, she has fallen, golden images of her gods Lie shattered on the ground
–P.O.D., “Breathe Babylon”–
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Ira Milligan, Understanding the Dreams You Dream: Biblical Keys for Hearing God’s Voice in the Night (Treasure House, 1997).
St. Peter of Alcantara, Treatise on Prayer and Meditation (TAN Books, 2010).
Thomas Dubay, Fire Within: St. Teresa of Avila, St. John of the Cross, and the Gospel on Prayer (Ignatius Press, 1989).
James D. G. Dunn, ed., Eerdmans Commentary on the Bible, p. 644. “Apparently Ezekiel discovers this by revelation or extrasensory perception.” (ESP is revelation and vice versa.)
Charles Carter, ed. The Wesleyan Bible Commentary: Romans-Philemon (1965), p. 207. “It must also be recognized, however, that there are super-psychic and other highly gifted individuals who apparently have certain powers of extra-sensory or trans-somatic nature that enable them to acquire knowledge that remains a mystery to sense experience.”
Geoffrey Bromiley, ed. The International Standard Bible Encyclopedia (1988, vol. 4), p. 993.
Moses replied, “Are you jealous for my sake? I wish that all the Lord’s people were prophets and that the Lord would put his Spirit on them!”…When there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams. –Numbers 11:29; 12:6
It shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams. –Acts 2:17 (NKJV)
Pursue love, and desire spiritual gifts, but especially that you may prophesy. –1 Corinthians 14:1 (NKJV)
Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good. –1 Thessalonians 5:20-21 (NKJV)
While he thought about these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not be afraid to take to you Mary your wife, for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Spirit. And she will bring forth a Son, and you shall call His name Jesus, for He will save His people from their sins.” –Matthew 1:20-21 (NKJV)
The next day, as they went on their journey and drew near the city, Peter went up on the housetop to pray, about the sixth hour. Then he became very hungry and wanted to eat; but while they made ready, he fell into a trance and saw heaven opened. –Acts 10:9-11 (NKJV)
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Dr. Jack Deere, Why I Am Still Surprised by the Voice of God (Zondervan, 2022).
Henry Fuseli (1741–1825) The Nightmare 1781 Oil on canvas 101.6 × 126.7 cm Detroit Institute of Arts‘Jacob’s Ladder’, Flemish School, Oil on copper, 68 cm x 86 cm, P02744. is a painting by Frans Francken II the Younger -1581-1642
WesleyGospel Ministries 