Lesson Eight

Seeing in the Spirit

 

 

I.                    Is using Dreams and Visions Biblical?

 

a.       God would not reply to King Saul in a dream or vision (i.e. prophet) – 1 Sam. 28:6

b.      God speaks in a vision – Psalm 89:19

c.       God multiplies visions to His prophets – Hos. 12:10

d.      Jesus did nothing unless the father told Him or shown Him – John 5:19-20

e.       God opened the eyes of Samuel – 1 Sam 3:1-20

f.        Angel of the Lord spoke to Jacob in a dream – Gen 31:11

g.       Joshua saw into the Spirit Realm – Josh 5:13

h.       David saw into the Spirit realm – 1 Chron. 21:16

i.         The Apostle John saw into the Spirit Realm – Rev. 4:1

j.        Our Sons and Daughters shall prophesy and see visions/dreams – Acts 2:17. Dreams and visions are permanently connected to the present moving and ministry of the holy spirit!

 

 

II.                  Developing Eyes to See

 

We discussed in detail the need for using our imaginations in our communion with God. Lets look below for a better understanding.

 

A.     One Inner Screen – Three Projectors

 

1.      I am to instantly cut off all pictures put in my minds eye by Satan.

2.      I my use my mind to present my inner eye to the Lord (I may Prime the pump).

3.      The Spirit is to Project on my inner screen the Images He desires.

 

 

B.  Testing Whether an Image is from self, Satan, or God

 

1.      Find its Origin (Test the Spirit) 

a.       Self – born in mind. A painting of a picture.

b.      Satan – A flashing Image. Was mind empty, idle?  Does the image seem to obstruct?

c.       God – A living flow of pictures coming from the innermost being. Was your inner being quietly focused on Jesus?

 

2.      Examining its Content (Test the Ideas)

a.       Self – A painting of things I have learned.

b.      Satan – Negative, destructive, pushy, fearful, accusative, violates the nature of God. Image is afraid to be tested. Ego appeal

c.       God – Instructive, Uplifting, Comforting. Image accepts testing.

 

3.      Seeing its fruit (Test the Fruit)

a.       Self – Variable

b.      Satan – Fear, compulsion, bondage, anxiety, confusion, Inflated Ego.

c.       God – Quickens faith, powerful, peace, good fruit, enlightenment, and knowledge.  Produces humility.

 

  C.  Levels of Visions

 

1.      Spontaneous Unsought Inner Pictures.

 

In this situation we receive a spontaneous inner picture in the dame fashion as we would receive Rhema. God may give a vision of a friend or relative’s face and you just know you are to pray for them. The picture is light and gentle and seen within oneself. It may be sharp or hazy, précised or unclear.

 

2.      Spontaneous Inner Pictures While in Prayer

           

These are Identical to the previous level except that you received them while seeking God in Prayer. We have no apparent in setting it up. It just “appeared” or popped into your mind. You may even find yourself stretching it trying to change it in some way. (Although really you don’t want to change it, because we want His vision, not ours.

 

3.      Actual Spiritual Seeing Outside Yourself

 

In this level, a person actually sees a vision outside of themselves, with his/her spiritual eyes. For example, Stephen gazing into heaven ands seeing the heavens open and Jesus standing at the right hand of God (Acts 7:55-56).

 

4.      Vision While in a trance or Dream

                                   

This person sees a vision while in a trance or a dream. Peter received a vision while in a trance Acts 10:10-23. Paul received a vision in the night as he slept in Acts 16:9-10

 

VISIONS ON EACH OF THESE LEVELS ARE EQUALLY VALID AND SPIRITUAL AND ALL ARE TO BE TESTED THOROUGHLY.

 

  D.   Exercising the Eyes of Our Heart.

 

1.      One must be still inwardly and outwardly so the Holy Spirit can issue forth with a flow of Living images.

2.      Enter a Biblical story in imagination. This probably is the most common way of all. Simply allow yourself to see what you are reading. After picturing a scene, ask God to show you what he wants to show you and a flow of inner images can take over as directed by God.

3.      Open the eyes of your heart during your quiet times, allowing God to show you things.

4.      In intercession for others, picture the person you are praying for and then picture Christ meeting that person. Watch what he does, then pray that into existence.

5.      Listen to your dreams, which are a natural expression of the inner word. Ask God to speak to you during the night (Ps. 127:2). When you awaken immediately record your dreams and then ask God for an interpretation. He will give it.

6.      Praying in the spirit opens up communication with the Holy Spirit and allows images to arise, especially when you are presenting the eyes of y our heart to God.

7.      Quiet prayer, simply affirm your love for Jesus and His toward you, opens you up to reflections and insights, which are a form of imagination in action.

8.      Praise and worship – see what you are singing and allow the Holy Spirit to carry the vision where He wants.

 

 

ASSIGNMENT

 

1.      Name the three projectors that can display images on the screen of our imaginations.

2.      Describe each of the three tests (in your own words) we can give images. How can we tell what is from ourselves, Satan and God?

3.      List at least four ways we can develop our “Spiritual eyes.”