The Bible speaks of visions and dreams sent by God, but hallucinations aren’t directly addressed. Still, some visions might have appeared strange. We’ll look at these experiences and how the Bible helps us understand perceptions of reality and faith.
Also Read: What Does The Bible Say About Dedication
What Does The Bible Say About Hallucinations
Acts 26:19
So then, King Agrippa, I was not disobedient to the vision from heaven.
This verse serves as a reminder that not all visions or supernatural experiences are hallucinations. It acknowledges that there are genuine encounters with the divine that believers can experience.
2 Corinthians 12:1-4
I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 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. And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.
Paul’s account of his own visionary experience highlights the mysterious nature of divine encounters. This passage emphasizes that such experiences might transcend our earthly understanding, reflecting the transcendent nature of God Himself.
Genesis 46:2
And God spoke to Israel in a vision at night and said, “Jacob! Jacob!” “Here I am,” he replied.
This verse demonstrates that God can communicate with His people through visions. It shows that visions can be a means of direct communication between God and His followers, rather than mere hallucinations.
Acts 10:9-16
About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.” “Surely not, Lord!” Peter replied. “I have never eaten anything impure or unclean.” The voice spoke to him a second time, “Do not call anything impure that God has made clean.”
Peter’s trance experience demonstrates that visions can alter perception and challenge entrenched beliefs. It shows that divine visions can challenge and expand our understanding of God’s will and His commandments.
Numbers 12:6
he said, “Listen to my words: “When there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, reveal myself to them in visions, I speak to them in dreams.”
In this verse, God Himself declares that He communicates with prophets through visions and dreams. It reinforces the idea that visions can be a legitimate means of divine revelation rather than mere hallucinations.
2 Kings 6:17
And Elisha prayed, “Open his eyes, LORD, so that he may see.” Then the LORD opened the servant’s eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.
This verse illustrates how the Lord supernaturally opened the eyes of Elisha’s servant to see a heavenly vision. It emphasizes that visions can be granted and controlled by God, allowing individuals to perceive the spiritual realm beyond their normal senses.
Ezekiel 1:1-4
In my thirtieth year, in the fourth month on the fifth day, while I was among the exiles by the Kebar River, the heavens were opened and I saw visions of God. On the fifth of the month—it was the fifth year of the exile of King Jehoiachin— the word of the LORD came to Ezekiel the priest, the son of Buzi, by the Kebar River in the land of the Babylonians. There the hand of the LORD was on him. I looked, and I saw a windstorm coming out of the north—an immense cloud with flashing lightning and surrounded by brilliant light. The center of the fire looked like glowing metal.
Ezekiel’s account of his visionary experience reveals the vivid and impactful nature of divine visions. It demonstrates that visions can encompass various sensory perceptions, such as sound and light, making them distinct from mere hallucinations.
Joel 2:28
“And afterward, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions.”
This passage prophesies that visions and dreams will be part of a divine outpouring of the Holy Spirit. It suggests that God intends to communicate with people through these means, confirming their significance beyond hallucinatory experiences.
Matthew 17:9
As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus instructed them, “Don’t tell anyone what you have seen until the Son of Man has been raised from the dead.”
Jesus’ words demonstrate that genuine visionary experiences can occur and should not be dismissed as mere hallucinations. He acknowledges the significance of the disciples’ encounter and provides instructions to safeguard the revelation until the appropriate time.
Isaiah 1:1
The vision concerning Judah and Jerusalem that Isaiah son of Amoz saw during the reigns of Uzziah, Jotham, Ahaz, and Hezekiah, kings of Judah.
This verse highlights that Isaiah’s prophecies regarding Judah and Jerusalem were received through divinely inspired visions. It highlights the credibility and purposeful nature of these visions beyond hallucinatory experiences.
Acts 9:10-12
In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord called to him in a vision, “Ananias!” “Yes, Lord,” he answered. The Lord told him, “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying. In a vision, he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”
Ananias’ vision serves as a testament to the reality of divine visions. It illustrates that God employs visions as a way to communicate specific instructions and provide assistance in accomplishing His plans and purposes.
Acts 27:23-24
Last night an angel of the God to whom I belong and whom I serve stood beside me and said, “Do not be afraid, Paul. You must stand trial before Caesar; and God has graciously given you the lives of all who sail with you.”
Paul’s encounter with an angelic vision demonstrates that supernatural experiences are not limited to hallucinations. This passage shows the reality of divine interventions and the unfolding of God’s plans through visions.
Revelation 9:17-19
The horses and riders I saw in my vision looked like this: Their breastplates were fiery red, dark blue, and yellow as sulfur. The heads of the horses resembled the heads of lions, and out of their mouths came fire, smoke, and sulfur. A third of mankind was killed by the three plagues of fire, smoke, and sulfur that came out of their mouths.
The vivid imagery in the Book of Revelation demonstrates that divine visions can convey apocalyptic scenes and prophetic messages. It emphasizes that genuine visionary experiences can be filled with symbolic details and spiritual significance.
Acts 10:17-20
While Peter was wondering about the meaning of the vision, the men sent by Cornelius found out where Simon’s house was and stopped at the gate. They called out, asking if Simon who was known as Peter was staying there. While Peter was still thinking about the vision, the Spirit said to him, “Simon, three men are looking for you. So get up and go downstairs. Do not hesitate to go with them, for I have sent them.”
Peter’s contemplation of the meaning of his vision demonstrates discernment and the importance of seeking understanding. It showcases how visions can prompt individuals to seek further revelation and guidance from God.
Zechariah 4:1-2
Then the angel who talked with me returned and woke me up, like someone awakened from sleep. He asked me, “What do you see?” I answered, “I see a solid gold lampstand with a bowl at the top and seven lamps on it, with seven channels to the lamps.”
Zechariah’s visionary encounter illustrates that angelic visions can serve as a means of divine instruction and revelation. The specific details revealed in the vision emphasize its clarity and purpose beyond hallucinatory experiences.
Acts 16:9-10
During the night, Paul had a vision of a man of Macedonia standing and begging him, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” After Paul had seen the vision, we got ready at once to leave for Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.
Paul’s vision of the man from Macedonia illustrates how divine visions can direct and guide believers in fulfilling God’s purposes. It emphasizes that visions can have a profound impact on discerning God’s will and mission for His followers.
Ezekiel 40:1-2
In the twenty-fifth year of our exile, at the beginning of the year, on the tenth of the month, in the fourteenth year after the fall of the city—on that very day the hand of the LORD was on me and he took me there. In visions of God, he took me to the land of Israel and set me on a very high mountain, on whose south side were some buildings that looked like a city.
Ezekiel’s visionary experience transports him to the land of Israel. This passage highlights that visions can provide individuals with supernatural experiences and glimpses into places and events beyond their physical presence.
Acts 7:55-56
But Stephen, full of the Holy Spirit, looked up to heaven and saw the glory of God, and Jesus standing at the right hand of God. “Look,” he said, “I see heaven open and the Son of Man standing at the right hand of God.”
Stephen’s visionary encounter before his martyrdom exemplifies the reality of supernatural experiences granted by God. It demonstrates that visions can reveal awe-inspiring glimpses of the heavenly realm and the presence of Christ Himself.
Jeremiah 1:11-13
The word of the LORD came to me: “What do you see, Jeremiah?” “I see the branch of an almond tree,” I replied. The LORD said to me, “You have seen correctly, for I am watching to see that my word is fulfilled.”
Jeremiah’s vision of the almond tree branch illustrates that divine visions can convey symbolic messages and provide insights into God’s plans and intentions. It emphasizes the importance of understanding the symbolic language within visions.
Revelation 21:10
And he carried me away in the Spirit to a mountain great and high and showed me the Holy City, Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God.
In the book of Revelation, John shares his visionary experience of being carried in the Spirit to witness the heavenly Jerusalem. This verse emphasizes that genuine visions can transport individuals beyond physical limitations, allowing them to witness supernatural realities.
Isaiah 6:1-2
In the year that King Uzziah died, I saw the Lord, high and exalted, seated on a throne; and the train of his robe filled the temple. Above him were seraphim, each with six wings: With two wings they covered their faces, with two they covered their feet, and with two they were flying.
Isaiah’s visionary encounter with the Lord showcases the grandeur and awe-inspiring nature of divine visions. It reminds us that genuine visions can reveal aspects of God’s character and majesty beyond human comprehension.
Acts 18:9-10
One night the Lord spoke to Paul in a vision: “Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you because I have many people in this city.”
Paul’s vision reassures him of God’s protection and the significance of his ministry. It demonstrates that visions can inspire and encourage believers, providing them with divine reassurances and guidance.
Amos 7:7-9
This is what he showed me: The Lord was standing by a wall that had been built true to plumb, with a plumb line in his hand. And the LORD asked me, “What do you see, Amos?” “A plumb line,” I replied. Then the Lord said, “Look, I am setting a plumb line among my people Israel; I will spare them no longer.”
The vision of the plumb line presented to Amos symbolizes God’s judgment upon His people. It underscores that divine visions can convey prophetic messages and insights into God’s assessment of His people’s spiritual condition.