Divine Guidance

In the Old and New Testaments, God spoke in dreams and visions.

Does He still do that today?

Short answer: God does whatever He wants.

He can and does use dreams and visions today, but not as often as in early church history.

Why?

1. The Bible is complete and it is an indisputable source of truth.

“All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work.” 2 Timothy 3:16-17

2. God typically used dreams and visions to speak to prophets and apostles so they could transmit His truth to His people. Those messages became part of Scripture. Now, leaders, teachers, and pastors transmit God’s message by teaching Scripture. 

See Romans 15:4 and Hebrews 4:12.

3. When God speaks today in dreams or visions, it’s for specific instruction, guidance, warning, or encouragement for an individual, group, or church. It's not Scripture (not meant for the body of Christ as a whole) and should be cautiously tested.(1) 

See Acts 10:1-15.(2) 

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(1) 1 Corinthians 14:29 speaks of prophecy in general, but it would apply to dreams and visions as well. 

(2) This passage gives an example of two types of visions: the first given to an individual for his specific situation, the second given to an apostle for instruction to the whole body of Christ. The first is a type of vision that may happen today. The second is a type of vision that ended when Scripture was completed.

I encourage you to do the Bite Size Study on this devotion. It offers some warnings about dreams and visions and also gives Old and New Testament examples for you to study.

Bible Love Notes