The Meaning of the Number Seven


It doesn’t take long when reading the bible to realize God uses numbers to convey meanings not explicitly stated. This is not to say that the numbers are lucky or unlucky in a superstitious or numerological manner but just that in some instances God uses numbers to inform. Once you get through the first chapter of Genesis and into about 2:2-3 you should be asking yourself- ‘why did God make a 7-day week?’ The answer isn’t so the Seventh Day Adventists have something to start a church over and accuse everyone else of taking the mark of the beast. But you continue reading and you see God threatening vengeance "sevenfold" (Gen.4:15), telling Noah to take the clean beasts by sevens (Gen.7:2-3), sending Egypt seven years of plenty and seven years of famine (41:29-30). Then you find God instructing Israel to observe feasts (7 of them- Lev.23) where they eat unleavened bread for 7 days (Ex.12:15-16), or to make atonement in the seventh month (Lev.23:27), instructing them to rest on the seventh day (Ex. 16:23-30), letting the land rest on the seventh year (Ex.23:11). Then in making the tabernacle the candlestick had seven lamps (Ex.25:37), sanctifying the altar took seven days (Ex.29:37), sprinkling the blood seven times to consecrate (Lev.4:6) and to cleanse the leper (Lev.14:7), they were to number 7 weeks of months and 7 weeks of years (Lev.25) and on and on even in the book of Revelation where the number explodes in significance from the first chapter on.

If you look at a lot of commentators, they will say the number seven indicates ‘completeness’ or ‘perfection’; while true I think this is too vague. I think God is more specific about what this means although he has concealed the thing somewhat. We should look at where the number seven seems to hold the most significance. The shadows and types and similitudes (Heb.10:1, 1:1, Col.3:17) in the Old Covenant would only point to it so we can’t look there for the answer. Since we know that the law leads us to Christ (Gal.3:24, Rom.10:4) we should see where the fulfilment would be found in him. The verse that appears to bring together the number seven with the person and work of Christ (the Anointed) is in Revelation 5 where the Lamb of God appears worthy to open the seven seals of the book of judgment (5:5). Notice v6- "And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth." Jesus is the Lamb (Jn.1:29, 1 Pt.1:19) that "wast slain, and hast redeemed us to God by thy blood out of every kindred, and tongue, and people, and nation" (v9). Israel was instructed to offer a lamb every morning and evening day by day continually (Ex.29:38-41). So, at what generation he appears they would understand he would be brought as a lamb to the slaughter as the LORD laid on him the iniquity of us all (Isa.53:6-7). We see him here in heaven with 7 horns and 7 eyes.

What do these things mean? Obviously, they are symbolic as this is not his actual resurrected appearance (Rv.1:13-17). So, let’s start with the seven eyes because we are told out right they are "the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth" (v6). What would this mean since there is only one Spirit (Eph.4:4)? Well, it appears that the seven spirits of God mentioned in Revelation are the ones listed in Isaiah 11 where most commentators I’ve found seem to coalesce in agreement. I see no other connection anywhere in scripture. Notice Isaiah 11:1-2 "And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots: And the spirit of the LORD shall rest upon him..." Clearly the Branch on whom the Spirit rests is Christ (Christ means Anointed One with the Spirit of God, Ac.10:38, Isa.61:1, Lk.4:14-21, Heb.1:9). This matches with the BRANCH in Zech.3:8-9 ... I will bring forth my servant the BRANCH. For behold the stone that I have laid before Joshua; upon one stone shall be seven eyes:
The branch is connected there with the stone the Lord lays (v9) which has 7 eyes. Zech.6 explains that this BRANCH (v12) shall build the temple of the LORD and bear the glory (v13). Of course, in Zechariah's day they were rebuilding the temple after Babylon, but this is just a foreshadow of Christ building the millennial temple and as being the chief corner stone of the church (Eph.2:20-1, Mt.16:18, 21:42, Isa.28:16). But notice again that the 7 eyes on the stone in chapter 3 are explained in chapter 4. The stone is the foundation (v9) stone "with those seven; they are the eyes of the LORD, which run to and fro through the whole earth." (v10)

Thus the foundation stone the LORD laid with the seven eyes which are the eyes of the LORD, is also the BRANCH (Zech.6:12-3). And when you understand this it matches the Revelation passages:
Revelation 1:4 John to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace be unto you, and peace, from him which is, and which was, and which is to come; and from the seven Spirits which are before his throne;
Revelation 3:1 And unto the angel of the church in Sardis write; These things saith he that hath the seven Spirits of God, and the seven stars; I know thy works, that thou hast a name that thou livest, and art dead.
Revelation 4:5 And out of the throne proceeded lightnings and thunderings and voices: and there were seven lamps of fire burning before the throne, which are the seven Spirits of God.
Revelation 5:6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.

It is as though the 7 spirits are manifested facets of the 1 Spirit of God (Eph.4:4). Like light through a prism manifests the 7 colors of the rainbow. In this case the Spirit rests upon Christ and in the judgment of men (Isa.11:3-5) is seen in the spirit of the LORD (his presence- Ps.51:11, 139:7), the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and might, the spirit of knowledge and of the fear of the LORD. Since these seven are spirit in essence and yet distinct facets or dimensions of God’s nature they are identified as the seven spirits of God.

The eyes of the LORD are also referring to judgment, notice this:
Proverbs 15:3 The eyes of the Lord are in every place, beholding the evil and the good.
Proverbs 5:21 For the ways of man are before the eyes of the Lord, and he pondereth all his goings.
2 Chronicles 16:9 For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in the behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him. Herein thou hast done foolishly: therefore from henceforth thou shalt have wars.
Heb.4:12-13 For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart. Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
Job 34:20-1 In a moment shall they die, and the people shall be troubled at midnight, and pass away: and the mighty shall be taken away without hand. For his eyes are upon the ways of man, and he seeth all his goings.
 

So, the Lord judges men with respect to his presence, wisdom, understanding, counsel, might, knowledge and their fear of him. This is why the priests would sprinkle blood 7 times (Lv.4:6, 17, 51, 16:14, 19, Num.19:4) making atonement for Israel in these 7 areas. Also, the oil sprinkled seven times (Lv.14:16, 27) indicating God manifesting these 7 upon the cleansed leper. Also, it is why God would punish Israel in the last week (seven years Dan.9:27) seven times (years) -see Leviticus 26:18-9, 21, 24, 28.

　

So, what about the seven horns? Well if the number seven is referring to the eyes of the Lord which are the seven Spirits of God which are the seven lamps of fire burning before the throne (symbolized by the candlestick in Ex.25:31-40) which are upon Christ who is anointed with these seven, then the horns are related to the seven spirits. And what do the horns represent?

Well we know God desired sacrifices "that hath horns and hoofs" (Psa.69:31). We see the priests and prophets anointing with a "horn of oil" (1 Sam.16:1, 13, 1 Ki.1:39- the horn as the source of the anointing) and even the anointed himself associated with a horn (1 Sam.2:10, Psa.92:10, 132:17). We see the righteous and the wicked both spoken of as having horns- "All the horns of the wicked also will I cut off; but the horns of the righteous shall be exalted." (Psa.75:10) We see also the altars constructed with 4 horns on the corners (Ex.27:2, 30:2, Psa.118:27) probably representing the horn of the unicorn (Num.23:22, 24:8, Dt.33:17, Psa.22:21). The horn appears to represent the glory of strength and thus action, notice Psalm 89:17 "For thou art the glory of their strength: and in thy favour our horn shall be exalted". We see the horn being exalted is as their strength is being glorified in God’s favor. Also, in 1 Samuel 2:10 "and he shall give strength unto his king, and exalt the horn of his anointed." Here, giving strength is exalting the horn. The horn is a crown of strength on their head and their highest point. Hanna rejoiced that "mine horn is exalted in the LORD: my mouth is enlarged over mine enemies" when her prayer was answered for a son in response to cruel mocking from her adversary. When the LORD "exalteth the horn of his people" (Psa.148:14) "his horn shall be exalted with honour" (Psa.112:9). When the wicked exalt themselves and harden their hearts in pride the scripture warns them "Lift not up your horn on high: speak not with a stiff neck." (Psa.75:5) For "He, that being often reproved hardeneth his neck, shall suddenly be destroyed, and that without remedy." (Prv.29:1) God exalts the horn of the righteous (glorifies their strength) but the wicked exalt their own horns (glorify their own strength).

It’s pictured like an ox (1 Cor.9:9, 1 Tim.5:18) or bullock with its head high and the horns exalted. Or in the case of a singular horn it would appear as the unicorn (which is probably the Elasmotherium) which horn would be glorious in strength (Dt.33:17) as they push people whithersoever they will. They would push with their horns (Ex.21:29, 32, 36, 1 Ki.22:11, Dan.8:3-4) and scatter (Zech.1:19-21). The horn is not just of the individual person but is collectively seen also of the nation. In this sense the horn is the king while the full strength of the nation (the glory of their strength) is concentrated into him as the horn of the head. This usage is found in Daniel 7:7-24, 8:3-9, 20-1 as well as in the corresponding passages in Revelation 12:3, 13:1, 17:3, 7, 12, 16. As a king he is the glory of the strength of the nation. This definition of the horn (the glory of strength) will fit for the king of a nation or for the individual. When we apply this to Christ (Rev.5) with 7 horns we would have to connect the seven horns with the seven spirits of God since this is the meaning of the number seven. It would appear then that the glory of the strength of each of the seven spirits find their full manifestation in the glorified Christ (Jn.3:34). In Revelation 5 not only does Christ try the hearts of all men having the seven eyes of the LORD but the glory of the strength of these seven will be seen as judgment is exercised upon all men pushing them and scattering them (Isa.11:3-5, Jn.5:22, 27, Ac.17:31); this is the context of Revelation chapter 5. As he opens the seven seals in the proceeding chapters, he makes an end of sin and finishes the last week of years prophesied by Daniel upon his people Israel and the holy city Jerusalem (Dan.9).

How have you responded to his presence? Do you resist his Spirit (Act.7:51) and grieve him (Eph.4:30)? Do you commune with the Holy Ghost (2 Cor.13:14) and follow him (Rom.8:14, Gal.5:18)? Judgment will come regarding this. What about wisdom, the principle thing (Prv.4:7)? Were you wise in your own eyes (Prv.3:7, Isa.5:21)? Did you seek wisdom that is earthly, sensual, devilish (Jam.3:14-16)? Why didn’t you ask of God in faith who giveth wisdom liberally (Jam.1:5-6)? The eyes of the LORD know about this. How about understanding? In all your getting did you get understanding (Prv.4:7)? Did you lift up your voice for it, and seek it like you did money? (Prv.2:3-5) He that searcheth the hearts knows. And what about counsel? Did you ever darken council by words without knowledge (Job 38:2)? Did you establish your purposes with good counsel and advice (Prv.20:18)? Did you let the Lord guide you with his counsel (Psa.73:24, Rev.3:18)? No? Why not? Do you think the eyes of him with whom we have to do will not take into account every idle word (Mt.12:36)? How about your might? Did you love God with all your might (Dt.6:5)? Did you glory in your own might (Jer.9:23)? Were you strong in the Lord and the power of his might (Eph.6:10)? Did you not make God your strength (Psa.52:7, Isa.26:4)? Woe unto them that go down to Egypt (Isa.30:2-3, 31:1). And how about the fear of the Lord? Was there a heart in you that would fear him and keep his commandments (Dt.5:29)? Did you tremble at his word (Isa.66:2) or just pay it lip service and exalt the words and doctrines of men (Mt.15:7-9) with the fear of man (Mt.10:28, Prv.29:25)? Did you hate pride and arrogancy and the evil way (Prv.8:13)? The day will declare it for the fire of his eyes shall try every man’s work of what sort it is (1 Cor.3:13) and every thought and intention will be known on that day (Heb.4:13)

Grace be unto you, and peace… from the seven Spirits which are before his throne (Rev.1:4)

Is fornication freedom? If so, then why do women lie?
　
The other day I was in the market and the radio was playing an old song ‘Runaround Sue’; about a girl who was running around on him with every guy in town. I had heard it before but couldn’t remember who sang it, so I did a quick internet search. Then I realized it was the same guy (Dion DiMucci) who sang another song I had heard before also: ‘The Wanderer’. This is humorously ironic because he is warning all the guys about ‘runaround Sue’ not faithful to him or other guys, while lionizing himself as a guy who runs around with all the girls around town and never commits to one girl. (Actually, the singer I understand later became a Christian.)　
There is a persistent idea in our culture that men who are sexually active apart from marriage (whoremongers- Heb.13:4) are just ‘boys being boys’ or ‘sowing their wild oats’ and they generally brag to their buddies and overstate their exploits because it makes them appear manlier (as stereotypically captured in the 'classic' movie Grease). But simultaneously, woman who engage in the same wantonness are slutty whores who should be ashamed and avoided by those good men seeking a spouse and family and protecting future children from a likely divorce.

 If you were to guess which way men and women would lie about their number of sexual encounters, you might think men lie and exaggerate the number while women lie and understate the number. A study from Ohio State University may give us some data to back some of these ideas. They gave questionnaires to 201 heterosexual single college men and women regarding their sexual ideas and activities. Women "who thought their answers might be read reported an average of 2.6 sexual partners. But those who thought they were monitored by a lie detector reported an average of 4.4 sexual partners." "Men's answers didn't change as much as did women's under different testing conditions." "Before the study, we thought men would generally overreport their sexual behavior and women would underreport it under certain testing conditions," Fisher said. "However, we found that women were more likely than men to have different answers depending on conditions when they were surveyed." https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2003/07/030701220850.htm ; https://www.apa.org/gradpsych/2013/09/gender-expectations ; the initial study results were confirmed in a later study of 293 students- https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2013/05/130528122319.htm
with this exception " Back in 2003, women went from having fewer sexual partners than men (when not hooked up to a lie detector) to being essentially even to men (when hooked up to the lie detector.) In this new study, women actually reported more sexual partners than men when they were both hooked up to a lie detector and thought they had to be truthful." I guess they do not want the stigma of being whorish while actually being whorish. Which might indicate that their conscience isn’t completely defiled. (Those with a seared conscience the bible described as having a "whore's forehead, thou refusedst to be ashamed" Jer.3:3; who brag about fornicating and aborting their children.) In other words they lie because they are ashamed and apparently women are more likely to lie because of this. They are probably aware that the more partners they have the less likely they will be valued as a marriage prospect… supply and demand. So, they take the old used car salesman tactics and lie about the miles. Their prospective marriage partner also values them similarly as he wants to ‘test drive’ before buying. This behavior undermines a stable long-term relationship and compromises the well-being of future children. Also, it makes light of a powerful experience and gift given by God. Plus, it dismisses the ultimate compliment to your partner, that they are worth sacrificing all others for. It degenerates the mind and the value structure God gives (Tit.1:15). It’s not what they want for their daughters... unless of course you are this degenerate- https://www.huffpost.com/entry/nadia-bolz-weber-purity-ring-vagina-sculpture_n_5bfdac5ee4b0a46950dce000
　
In our modern sexual climate, the Feminists want to ‘liberate’ woman from the stigma of being whorish and wanton. They rebel against social expectations for their sexual behavior, which no doubt was imposed on them by the ‘patriarchy’ and Christian, puritanical extremism. However, this porno/hook-up culture doesn’t want men to be condemned and feel ashamed about being whoremongers, rather they want women to be free to be lewd and lascivious. Biblically speaking they are only free from righteousness (Rom.6:20), but they are servants to the law of sin and death (Jn.8:34, Rom.5:21, 6:16-22, 7:25). They are driven by lusts and impulses as the motions of sins working death in them, in a similar way that animals conduct their behavior. The irrationality of lust driving them contrary to their better judgment of conscience and sound mind and alienating them from the life of God, they give themselves over to lasciviousness to work all uncleanness with greediness (Eph.4:18-9) transforming themselves into natural brute beasts made to be taken and destroyed (2 Pt.2:12, Jd.1:10). This is not freedom, nor is it conducive to a long-term marriage; it is the way to hell (Heb.13:4, Prv.7:27).
 
Furthermore, it reduces the design of sex as a rational covenantal bond and foundation of the family to a mindless and reckless impulse (like you see on any mammalian episode of National Geographic)- usually alcohol induced to assist in dulling the mind even further (Prv.23:29-33). The bible informs us that we are to abstain until marriage and keep our bodies under control and bring them into subjection (1 The.4:3-5, 1 Cor.9:27) for this is honorable as the body was not designed for fornication but for the Lord and the Lord for the body (1 Cor.6:13).

Innate Knowledge and Neo-Darwinians

If you listen to the new atheists struggling to make a point against the bible you might hear one like Christopher Hitchens say something like 'Are you telling me that no one thought it was wrong to murder until Moses came down from Sinai?' Indicating that people had an understanding of right and wrong before and apart from Moses (also indicated by Moses- Gen.2:9) bringing down this revelation of the 10 commandments. Whether deliberately or inadvertently they miss the point. The point being that Jehovah, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob is the source of revelation and our innate knowledge structure and morality.

The bible teaches us that innate knowledge and structure to understanding is what man is designed with (Isa.1:18, Job 38:36, Prv.2:6). The knowledge of God himself is structured in man. "Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them." (Rom.1:19) Man is programmed with the correct 'glasses' to see God's design and his person in creation. "For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse:" (Rom.1:20) God likewise programmed man with moral code reflective of God's nature. "For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another" Rom.2:14-5. And of course the fall of man and the law of sin (Rom.7-8) working in us account for why man does not like to retain God in his knowledge but would rather degenerate into idolatry (Rom.1:21-3). Man is created by God and in his image (Gen.1:26-7, Eph.4:24, Col.3:10) and obligated to have dominion over creation, develop its resources to meet ours and others needs by our labor (Eph.4:28, 2 Thes.3:10) (not our lusts facilitated by central banks- Jam.4:1-2, 5:1, Isa.1:22).

Interestingly it appears that language itself is not possible without predesigned innate faculties working together in us. According to Noam Chomsky (not anything close to resembling a bible believer) in order to have a language faculty it would have to be connected to or accessible to the motor apparatus/the auditory systems and the articulatory organs plus it has to be connected to the thought faculties (1:08 min). This appears to be potentially an optimally designed system (1:11 min.) which is unique in humans. We find something similar he says only in bee communication and displaced reference. Displaced reference is communication about something not in our sensory field -only humans and bees are known to communicate about remote things (there is a certain flower over in this location and this much honey can be made from it -40 min)

Chomsky also acknowledges the mystery of arithmetic. He confirms people having the ability to do mathematics is a mystery from evolutionary theory - it certainly was no factor in natural selection. He amusingly observes that in hunter gatherer societies you didn't have more children if you could prove theorems about prime numbers. So, if it played no role in human evolution what is it doing there? (1:29 min.) He also recognizes internal structure and innate morality that we are designed and programmed to be what we are. Some psychologists as Piaget believe “neonatal schemas are the cognitive structures underlying innate reflexes. These reflexes are genetically programmed into us.” Reflexes such as sucking and clinching are not taught to infants yet they know them innately.

Neo-Darwinian scientists and philosophers want to explain all these things in terms of a random unguided unintelligent process which only appears to be designed and intelligent. Reprobate minds hardened in pride will not see with their eyes or hear with their ears nor understand with their hearts. (As a side note, someone has said the difference between a scientist and a philosopher is a scientist is someone who learns more and more about less and less until he finally knows everything about nothing. But a philosopher is someone who learns less and less about more and more until he finally knows nothing about everything.)

 
This innatism inevitably will lead us into the discussion of intelligent design, information theory and our encoded DNA resembling computer binary code and the fine tuning of the universe for our existence to even be possible. Even mutations appear to be a designed adaptive capacity which organisms have preprogrammed in them. (28 min) When stress is put on an organism certain proteins are produced because the organism is designed to produce them. Perhaps if physics alone cannot explain creation maybe we should look to metaphysics.

Einstein reflected on science after David Hume that “a fateful 'fear of metaphysics' arose which has come to be a malady of contemporary empiricist philosophising; this malady is the counterpart to that earlier philosophising in the clouds, which thought it could neglect and dispense with what was given by the senses. ... It finally turns out that one can, after all, not get along without metaphysics.”

Eventually they will be dragged kicking and screaming to biblical metaphysics and Moses waiting at the foot of Sinai to make them drink the gold of their idolatry (Ex.32:20). It turns out that evidence in general for anything is not possible unless the God of the bible exists as he reveals himself in the scripture as the source of our minds, of logic, science, language, morality and justice.

 

Dreams, Visions and Trances

Dreams

A series of visions during sleep

Daniel 4:9 O Belteshazzar, master of the magicians, because I know that the spirit of the holy gods is in thee, and no secret troubleth thee, tell me the visions of my dream that I have seen, and the interpretation thereof. v10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed;

At night

Dan.7:1 In the first year of Belshazzar king of Babylon Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters.v2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night, and, behold, the four winds of the heaven strove upon the great sea. v7 After this I saw in the night visions, and behold a fourth beast… v13 I saw in the night visions

During a deep sleep

Job 33:15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;

Quickly forgotten frequently

Job 20:8 He shall fly away as a dream, and shall not be found: yea, he shall be chased away as a vision of the night.

Daniel 2:5 The king answered and said to the Chaldeans, The thing is gone from me: if ye will not make known unto me the dream, with the interpretation thereof, ye shall be cut in pieces, and your houses shall be made a dunghill. The king answered and said, I know of certainty that ye would gain the time, because ye see the thing is gone from me.

Experienced in the mind- ‘seen’

Daniel 2:28 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets, and maketh known to the king Nebuchadnezzar what shall be in the latter days. Thy dream, and the visions of thy head upon thy bed, are these;

Dan.4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me. v10 Thus were the visions of mine head in my bed; 7:1 …Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed: then he wrote the dream, and told the sum of the matters. v13 I Daniel was grieved in my spirit in the midst of my body, and the visions of my head troubled me.

Dan.7:1 Daniel had a dream and visions of his head upon his bed… 2 Daniel spake and said, I saw in my vision by night… 7:7 After this I saw in the night visions…

God does communicate through

Job 33:14-17 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed; Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction, That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.

Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her. v3 But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, Behold, thou art but a dead man, for the woman which thou hast taken; for she is a man's wife.

Gen.28:13 And, behold, the Lord stood above it, and said, I am the Lord God of Abraham thy father, and the God of Isaac: the land whereon thou liest, to thee will I give it, and to thy seed; v16 And Jacob awaked out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not.

Gen.46:2 And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.

Num.12:6 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.

1 Ki.3:5 In Gibeon the Lord appeared to Solomon in a dream by night: and God said, Ask what I shall give thee. v15 And Solomon awoke; and, behold, it was a dream.

Mt. 2:12 And being warned of God in a dream…

Induced by the Spirit

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions:

Acts 2:16-17 But this is that which was spoken by the prophet Joel; And it shall come to pass in the last days, saith God, I will pour out of my Spirit upon all flesh: and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, and your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams:

Sometimes delusion

Isaiah 29:8 It shall even be as when an hungry man dreameth, and, behold, he eateth; but he awaketh, and his soul is empty: or as when a thirsty man dreameth, and, behold, he drinketh; but he awaketh, and, behold, he is faint, and his soul hath appetite: so shall the multitude of all the nations be, that fight against mount Zion.

Sometimes self generated

Jeremiah 29:8 For thus saith the Lord of hosts, the God of Israel; Let not your prophets and your diviners, that be in the midst of you, deceive you, neither hearken to your dreams which ye cause to be dreamed.

Ecclesiastes 5:3 For a dream cometh through the multitude of business; and a fool's voice is known by multitude of words. v7 For in the multitude of dreams and many words there are also divers vanities: but fear thou God.

Jd.1:8 Likewise also these filthy dreamers defile the flesh, despise dominion, and speak evil of dignities.

Need interpretation

Genesis 40:5 And they dreamed a dream both of them, each man his dream in one night, each man according to the interpretation of his dream, the butler and the baker of the king of Egypt, which were bound in the prison.

Genesis 41:11 And we dreamed a dream in one night, I and he; we dreamed each man according to the interpretation of his dream.

Daniel 2:6 But if ye shew the dream, and the interpretation thereof, ye shall receive of me gifts and rewards and great honour: therefore shew me the dream, and the interpretation thereof. v8 But there is a God in heaven that revealeth secrets…

Daniel 1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Dan.5:12 Forasmuch as an excellent spirit, and knowledge, and understanding, interpreting of dreams, and shewing of hard sentences, and dissolving of doubts, were found in the same Daniel…

Num.12:6-8 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches;

An inferior communication

Num.12:6-8 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches;

Angels can appear in them and communicate

Matthew 1:20 But while he thought on these things, behold, the angel of the Lord appeared unto him in a dream, saying, Joseph, thou son of David, fear not to take unto thee Mary thy wife: for that which is conceived in her is of the Holy Ghost.

Matthew 2:19 But when Herod was dead, behold, an angel of the Lord appeareth in a dream to Joseph in Egypt,

Mt.2:13 And when they were departed, behold, the angel of the Lord appeareth to Joseph in a dream, saying, Arise, and take the young child and his mother, and flee into Egypt, and be thou there until I bring thee word: for Herod will seek the young child to destroy him.

Genesis 31:11 And the angel of God spake unto me in a dream, saying, Jacob: And I said, Here am I.

Genesis 28:12 And he dreamed, and behold a ladder set up on the earth, and the top of it reached to heaven: and behold the angels of God ascending and descending on it.

Dan.4:13 I saw in the visions of my head upon my bed, and, behold, a watcher and an holy one came down from heaven;

Some level of consciousness during

Genesis 20:6 And God said unto him in a dream, Yea, I know that thou didst this in the integrity of thy heart; for I also withheld thee from sinning against me: therefore suffered I thee not to touch her.

Dan.2:1 …Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him.

Can trouble you afterward

Dan.2:1 …Nebuchadnezzar dreamed dreams, wherewith his spirit was troubled, and his sleep brake from him. v3 And the king said unto them, I have dreamed a dream, and my spirit was troubled to know the dream.

Dan.4:5 I saw a dream which made me afraid, and the thoughts upon my bed and the visions of my head troubled me.

Mt. 27:19 When he was set down on the judgment seat, his wife sent unto him, saying, Have thou nothing to do with that just man: for I have suffered many things this day in a dream because of him.

Gen. 41:8 And it came to pass in the morning that his spirit was troubled; and he sent and called for all the magicians of Egypt, and all the wise men thereof: and Pharaoh told them his dream; but there was none that could interpret them unto Pharaoh.

Dan.8:27 And I Daniel fainted, and was sick certain days; afterward I rose up, and did the king's business; and I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it. (a vision)

Dan.10:8 Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. v16 O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. (a vision)

Devils can cause

Job 4:13-16 In thoughts from the visions of the night, when deep sleep falleth on men, Fear came upon me, and trembling, which made all my bones to shake. Then a spirit passed before my face; the hair of my flesh stood up: It stood still, but I could not discern the form thereof: an image was before mine eyes, there was silence, and I heard a voice

Job 7:14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:

Deuteronomy 13:1 If there arise among you a prophet, or a dreamer of dreams, and giveth thee a sign or a wonder,

Jeremiah 27:9 Therefore hearken not ye to your prophets, nor to your diviners, nor to your dreamers, nor to your enchanters, nor to your sorcerers, which speak unto you, saying, Ye shall not serve the king of Babylon:

Jer.23:32 Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the Lord, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the Lord.

Zech.10:2 For the idols have spoken vanity, and the diviners have seen a lie, and have told false dreams…

Trance

Numbers 24:4 He hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

Numbers 24:16 He hath said, which heard the words of God, and knew the knowledge of the most High, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open:

Acts 10:10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance,

Acts 11:5 I was in the city of Joppa praying: and in a trance I saw a vision,

Acts 22:16-18 And now why tarriest thou? arise, and be baptized, and wash away thy sins, calling on the name of the Lord. And it came to pass, that, when I was come again to Jerusalem, even while I prayed in the temple, I was in a trance; And saw him saying unto me, Make haste, and get thee quickly out of Jerusalem: for they will not receive thy testimony concerning me.

Visions

Sometimes indistinguishable from real life (true- Ac.12:9)- even involving real life

Mt.17:1-9 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart, And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light. And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him. Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias. While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him. And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid. And Jesus came and touched them, and said, Arise, and be not afraid. And when they had lifted up their eyes, they saw no man, save Jesus only. And as they came down from the mountain, Jesus charged them, saying, Tell the vision to no man, until the Son of man be risen again from the dead. – 2 Pet.1:16-18 For we have not followed cunningly devised fables, when we made known unto you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were eyewitnesses of his majesty. For he received from God the Father honour and glory, when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased. And this voice which came from heaven we heard, when we were with him in the holy mount.

Acts 12:8-10 And the angel said unto him, Gird thyself, and bind on thy sandals. And so he did. And he saith unto him, Cast thy garment about thee, and follow me. And he went out, and followed him; and wist not that it was true which was done by the angel; but thought he saw a vision. When they were past the first and the second ward, they came unto the iron gate that leadeth unto the city; which opened to them of his own accord: and they went out, and passed on through one street; and forthwith the angel departed from him.

Dan.10:5-9 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Lk.1:11-13 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. And when Zacharias saw him, he was troubled, and fear fell upon him. But the angel said unto him, Fear not, Zacharias: for thy prayer is heard; and thy wife Elisabeth shall bear thee a son, and thou shalt call his name John. v19 And the angel answering said unto him, I am Gabriel, that stand in the presence of God; and am sent to speak unto thee, and to shew thee these glad tidings. v22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless.

Acts 26:19 I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision: v13-16 I saw in the way a light from heaven, above the brightness of the sun, shining round about me and them which journeyed with me. And when we were all fallen to the earth, I heard a voice speaking unto me, and saying in the Hebrew tongue, Saul, Saul, why persecutest thou me? it is hard for thee to kick against the pricks. And I said, Who art thou, Lord? And he said, I am Jesus whom thou persecutest. But rise, and stand upon thy feet: for I have appeared unto thee for this purpose, to make thee a minister and a witness both of these things which thou hast seen, and of those things in the which I will appear unto thee;

Ezek.1:1 Now it came to pass in the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, in the fifth day of the month, as I was among the captives by the river of Chebar, that the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Ezek.40:40 In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.

Dan.8:2 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai.

Ezek.8:3 And he put forth the form of an hand, and took me by a lock of mine head; and the spirit lifted me up between the earth and the heaven, and brought me in the visions of God to Jerusalem, to the door of the inner gate that looketh toward the north

Lk.4:5-7 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time. And the devil said unto him, All this power will I give thee, and the glory of them: for that is delivered unto me; and to whomsoever I will I give it. If thou therefore wilt worship me, all shall be thine.

Num.22:31 Then the Lord opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the Lord standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face.
 

Like dreams while awake and need an interpretation

Num.12:6-8 And he said, Hear now my words: If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream. My servant Moses is not so, who is faithful in all mine house. With him will I speak mouth to mouth, even apparently, and not in dark speeches;

Isa.29:10-12 For the Lord hath poured out upon you the spirit of deep sleep, and hath closed your eyes: the prophets and your rulers, the seers hath he covered. And the vision of all is become unto you as the words of a book that is sealed, which men deliver to one that is learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I cannot; for it is sealed: And the book is delivered to him that is not learned, saying, Read this, I pray thee: and he saith, I am not learned.

Dan.1:17 As for these four children, God gave them knowledge and skill in all learning and wisdom: and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.

Dan.8:2-3 And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai. Then I lifted up mine eyes, and saw, and, behold, there stood before the river a ram which had two horns: v16 And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision. v27 … I was astonished at the vision, but none understood it.

2 Chr.26:5 And he sought God in the days of Zechariah, who had understanding in the visions of God: and as long as he sought the Lord, God made him to prosper.

Dan. 8:15 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning…

Ac.10:17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean… v19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee.

From God through prophets

Ezek.7:26 Mischief shall come upon mischief, and rumour shall be upon rumour; then shall they seek a vision of the prophet; but the law shall perish from the priest, and counsel from the ancients.

Hos.12:10 I have also spoken by the prophets, and I have multiplied visions, and used similitudes, by the ministry of the prophets.

Joel 2:28 And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my spirit upon all flesh; and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions: (Num.11:29 …would God that all the Lord's people were prophets, and that the Lord would put his spirit upon them!)

Lam.2:9 … the law is no more; her prophets also find no vision from the Lord.

Sometimes for the future

Hab.2:3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry.

Dan.10:14 Now I am come to make thee understand what shall befall thy people in the latter days: for yet the vision is for many days.

Involve Angels

Dan.9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Dan.10:5-9 Then I lifted up mine eyes, and looked, and behold a certain man clothed in linen, whose loins were girded with fine gold of Uphaz: His body also was like the beryl, and his face as the appearance of lightning, and his eyes as lamps of fire, and his arms and his feet like in colour to polished brass, and the voice of his words like the voice of a multitude. And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground.

Act.10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him, and saying unto him, Cornelius.

Dan.8:15-16 And it came to pass, when I, even I Daniel, had seen the vision, and sought for the meaning, then, behold, there stood before me as the appearance of a man. And I heard a man's voice between the banks of Ulai, which called, and said, Gabriel, make this man to understand the vision.

God speaks and directs through

2 Cor.12:1 It is not expedient for me doubtless to glory. I will come to visions and revelations of the Lord.

Acts.9:10-12 And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord. And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he prayeth, And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight.

Acts 16:9-10 And a vision appeared to Paul in the night; There stood a man of Macedonia, and prayed him, saying, Come over into Macedonia, and help us. And after he had seen the vision, immediately we endeavoured to go into Macedonia, assuredly gathering that the Lord had called us for to preach the gospel unto them.

Acts 18:9 Then spake the Lord to Paul in the night by a vision, Be not afraid, but speak, and hold not thy peace:

1 Chr.17:15 According to all these words, and according to all this vision, so did Nathan speak unto David.

Psa.89:19 Then thou spakest in vision to thy holy one…

Ac.26:19 Whereupon, O king Agrippa, I was not disobedient unto the heavenly vision:

Appear suddenly

Dan.8:1 a vision appeared unto me, even unto me Daniel

Dan.9:21 Yea, whiles I was speaking in prayer, even the man Gabriel, whom I had seen in the vision at the beginning, being caused to fly swiftly, touched me about the time of the evening oblation.

Lk.1:22 And when he came out, he could not speak unto them: and they perceived that he had seen a vision in the temple: for he beckoned unto them, and remained speechless. v11 And there appeared unto him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense.

Lk.24:23 And when they found not his body, they came, saying, that they had also seen a vision of angels, which said that he was alive.

Ac.10:3 He saw in a vision evidently about the ninth hour of the day an angel of God coming in to him…

False visions

Jer.14:14 Then the Lord said unto me, The prophets prophesy lies in my name: I sent them not, neither have I commanded them, neither spake unto them: they prophesy unto you a false vision and divination, and a thing of nought, and the deceit of their heart.

Jer.23:16 Thus saith the Lord of hosts, Hearken not unto the words of the prophets that prophesy unto you: they make you vain: they speak a vision of their own heart, and not out of the mouth of the Lord.

Ezek.12:24 For there shall be no more any vain vision nor flattering divination within the house of Israel.

Ezek.13:7 Have ye not seen a vain vision, and have ye not spoken a lying divination, whereas ye say, The Lord saith it; albeit I have not spoken?

Zech.13:4 And it shall come to pass in that day, that the prophets shall be ashamed every one of his vision, when he hath prophesied; neither shall they wear a rough garment to deceive:

Lk. 4:4 And the devil, taking him up into an high mountain, shewed unto him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time.