VISIONS AND REVELATIONS, ARE THEY BIBLICAL MYTHS

VISIONS AND REVELATIONS, ARE THEY BIBLICAL MYTHS OR COMMUNICATION FROM GOD?

Click on picture for larger image.

By Dr. DeVita G. Brown, B.A., D.D.

(Feel free to copy and circulate this article for non-commercial purposes provided the Web site and author are cited.)

See Related Articles: TABERNACLE

If an individual claims to have a divine vision and revelation, people often mock, scorn, and rebuke him as a charlatan or some mad prophet. The public may even elect him as a candidate for an insane asylum. The founder of the Institute of Divine Metaphysical Research Inc., Dr. Henry Clifford Kinley, said that he had a divine vision and revelation directly from the creator in 1931. The public, of course, did ridicule him because of it. However, he sincerely believed in his heart that this event had occurred. Moreover, he offered the public an open challenge to prove him wrong since ELOHIM (God) had also given him divine proof that he indeed had a vision. This resulted in the founding of the school and the publishing of a textbook, Elohim, the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe, in 1961. He began teaching and preaching the Bible in a revolutionary way that was very spiritually enlightening to those who took the time to inquire into his claim.

I am introducing this bit of information by way of asking the reader to make his own investigation of the facts and witnesses I will present in this article to prove whether or not visions and revelations are valid and occur far more often and in more manifestations than one might have originally thought. Not every human being who declares publicly to have had a divine vision and revelation should be believed merely by making that statement. As one well knows, those do exist on this earth plane who would use the banner of a so-called religious or visionary experience to justify willful deceit or robbery of the public. Whomever comes forth with such a declaration should be able to provide proof of it and one should thoroughly investigate the matter before coming to a conclusion.

How Do You Measure Spiritual Principles?

Now, on this matter of visions and revelations I would like to offer the reader an item to ponder. Often, when talking about spiritual principles one needs some frame of reference where-by things can be compared or measured (Exo. 25:8-9, 40; Heb. 8:5; Rev. 11:1; please read "The Philosophical Measuring Rod (p. 16)" before continuing this article). In the Bible, Romans 1:19-20 states that the invisible things of Elohim (God) can be clearly seen being understood by the things that are made. In other words the natural things of the creation help us understand their spiritual counterpart. For example, a natural birth points to a spiritual birth as when the Messiah told Nicodemus he had to be born again (John 3:3). Obviously since no man including Nicodemus can reenter his mothers womb to be reborn physically, Yahshua (Jesus) was instead speaking of a spiritual rebirth or a renewing of his mind. One can then take natural vision or sight as manifested through physical eyes to show that it points to spiritual vision or sight.

Can Physical, Mental and Spiritual Sight Be Defined?

The above diagram shows three levels of vision or sight: physical, mental, and spiritual. I will explain physical and mental sight, and show how they point to spiritual sight. Websters New World Dictionary defines the word vision as physical sight perceived through the eyes. As light reflects off an object, its appearance (color, luminosity, shape and size) is perceived through the eye. However, Websters gives another definition which states that a vision is a mental image. If one examines the principle of mental images (or seeing with the minds eye), he now finds that there are many manifestations of this and that it is common to all human beings. For whom has not had a mental image or picture in their mind of some favorite vacation, or locale, or pleasant experience. Though one is not physically there, he sees it in his mind. A person may be at work, and daydream of a place he would rather be. At night while asleep one has dreams in which he "SEES" things, yet his physical eyes are closed. Images and pictures are projected on his mind while he sleeps, almost like a movie.

Sometimes the physical body will react or act out the images shown in a dream. Such is the case when people have falling dreams, and wake up suddenly trying to catch themselves from falling. Wet dreams, or nocturnal emissions, are common among men dreaming of having intercourse with a woman. Has the reader ever asked himself, how can one "SEE" such things if his eyes are closed? And, everyone knows the media constantly bombards the public with mental images from television; some for better, others for worse. But one would be hard pressed to deny that they shape or affect his thinking or even his image of himself.

Can Visions Be External and Internal?

Dr. Henry C. Kinley stated the following:"..., a vision and a revelation can be both external, that is, appreciated by the physical eye as when one sees a performer on stage after the curtains are opened, (the performer being visioned and disclosed or revealed at the same time) and internal, that is, appreciated with the eye of the understanding as when one sees in a trance or a dream a mental image or has something disclosed to him within his mind. Therefore, it can be said that no one has ever lived who has not had a vision or a revelation either externally, for one is constantly seeing with his physical eyes, or internally for one is continually formulating mental images and appreciating new facts or knowledge within his mind." (Elohim, the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe, Vol. 3. pg. 1,)

People often use the word vision allegorically in statements such as: ... a vision of a bright future, or ... a vision of happiness. How can one see happiness or a bright future in the literal sense? One understands these statements to mean that a person can have some mental picture in his mind of what it means to him? A bright future or happiness are attributes and cannot be seen in a literal way. Thus it is with spiritual principles. They have to be seen, experienced, or revealed on a divine level and this can be done by Elohim (God) right within a man.

How Does Spiritual Sight Differ from Physical Sight?

These various mental images are on a higher level than physical sight, but both physical and mental sight are limited and do not give a man insight into the spirit. Spiritual sight is the highest level of "SEEING." One must have a correct image of his creator Elohim (God) who is spirit to understand or SEE in the spirit. By that I mean his image or understanding of Elohim as he believes him to be must be replaced with Elohim as he really is and actually exists? Now, if Elohim (God) made this world and everything therein, and if truly it is a witness of him, then it is to Elohim that man must turn for a true insight or understanding of Him. In other words ones limited physical sight is not sufficient to get a correct perception of things and often his mental understanding of various principles can be wrong. Man needs to rely on Elohim (God) to give him the correct understanding of Elohim or allow him to "SEE" Elohim.

Can Insight, Perception, Perceive, and Invert Be Defined?

Let me lay down some analogies and define some terms before I continue. I will use some of these definitions in the remainder of this article.

Websters New World Dictionary defines the following words:

1. Insight - The ability to see and understand clearly the inner nature of things.

2. Perception - A mental grasp by means of the senses, awareness, comprehension.

3. Perceive - to grasp mentally, take note of, recognize, comprehend. Insight, intuition, or the facility for these.

4. Invert - To turn upside down, to change to the direct opposite, reverse the order, direction, position, etc.

Does Physical Sight Often Give A False Perception?

As stated earlier, one is limited by physical eyesight and often tricked by it, thinking he is seeing something that is not there. For example, one can see a mirage of water in the desert. Or a glass rod in water appears bent, but the refraction of light causes this illusion. In addition, one can see a beautiful man or woman in a room and assume their personality matches their outward appearance. However, upon closer investigation that outwardly beautiful person may not be a pleasant person inwardly. So, ones perception of an individual based on their outward appearance was not sufficient for insight into their true inner nature. As the Messiah said of the Scribes and Pharisees, "Ye outwardly appear beautiful, but inwardly are full of dead mens bones." (Matt. 23:27).

Could One's Spiritual Perception of God Be Incorrect?

If natural physical perception is insufficient or limited then I challenge the reader to consider, the possibility that ones spiritual perception of Elohim (God) or spirit may also be incorrect? I submit to the reader that without the spirit or Elohim giving man a vision, then no one can have a correct perception of Elohim (God) as he really is and actually exists. Right now, the reader is probably thinking, when the writer speaks of having a vision from Elohim does she mean in the sense of what Moses had, or John on the Isle of Patmos, or various prophets in the Bible? No, not exactly. Truly there have been those whom Elohim (God) designated to have such panoramic visions down through the ages. But what the reader may not yet realize is that the Messiah fulfilled the Law and Prophets during His earthly ministry, and by his death, burial and resurrection, and the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:1-4), he ushered us into a new age whereby the spirit communicates with his creatures in their heart and mind by dreams, visions, a still, small voice, or what ever manifestation the creator chooses. As Joel states in 2:28-29 and Luke in Acts 2:17-18, young men shall see visions, old men shall dream dreams, and women and children shall also have these experiences.

Dr. Kinley states: "So then, when Yahweh (Lord)) takes on shape and form within mans mind by the preaching of the true gospel of Yahshua the Messiah according to the law and prophets, then that man has had a vision and revelation. Therefore, for one to deny that divine visions and revelations are possible these days is to deny that Yahshua has appeared unto him or to deny that Yahshua has been resurrected in his mind and consciousness" (Elohim, the Archetype Original Pattern of the Universe, Vol. 3, pg. 1, bottom to top pg. 2).

Is The Spirit of Elohim (God) Within Every Man?

The reader may have heard of someone dreaming a lottery number, playing it, and then winning. Now, if this person knew it on his own, why had he not played and won before? In other words, mankind has a direct link to the spirit of Elohim (God) within him. Yahweh (Lord) speaks to all mankind if one asks in sincerity and truth. This is an inward process of Elohim (God) speaking with his creatures, from within, leading and guiding them. Everyone at some point in his life has heard a voice within him telling him not to do something, and it later condemned him for the wrongful action. That was Elohim (God) within him trying to warn or guide him. As stated in Revelation 3:20, "Behold I stand at the door and knock, if any man hear me, I will come in and sup with him and he with me. The Messiah is knocking at the door of mans heart and mind and desires to sup or commune with all spiritually, I hope the reader will hear His voice.

I want to get back to this problem of perceiving Elohim (God) or spirit as he really is and actually exists. All mankind has had a perception problem when it comes to understanding the creator and his purpose.

What Is 3-fold Perception by the Pattern?

The diagram on page 27 shows perception on three levels: physical, mental, and spiritual.

At the lowest, or grossest level (Court Round About, CRA) is physical perception through the limited physical senses. In this article which deals with the principle of vision or sight I have already pointed out the limitations of physical eyesight. Moving up a bit higher to the Holy Place (HP) there is mental perception or the ability of humans to grasp or understand something mentally (in the mind). For example, if at work ones boss give him a task to perform , he must have some understanding or mental picture in his mind of how to do it to perform it. Yet, with this power man is still limited in his mental capacity as regards the spirit. For example, a scientist may study and grasp mentally the process whereby plants make food (Photosynthesis), but if asked to explain the spiritual reality, he does not know! (Unless, of course, it has been revealed unto them by Elohim [God]).

Is The Highest Level of Perception Spiritual?

The highest level of perception then, is spiritual perception. In other words, there is a veil beyond which mans limited mental perception cannot go unless Elohim (God) gives him true spiritual insight or vision. Man vainly lists his accomplishments in the fields of science and engineering and academic pursuits, but he cannot tell what will happen tomorrow, nor can he predict future events. ** At least not on his own**. Only Elohim (God) within a man can take a principle in the natural, understand it thoroughly, and reveal its ultimate spiritual reality. If that were not so, why is it that men have looked at physical birth and not known that it pointed to spiritual birth, physical death and not known that it pointed to spiritual death, physical sight and not known that it pointed to spiritual sight?

How Was The Pattern Revealed to Moses?

I have been discussing the principle of perception by the 3-fold tabernacle pattern, the measuring rod, which was revealed to Moses and is laid down in everyones Bible (Exodus 25:8-9,40, 1st Chron. 28:19, Hebrews 8:5). As stated in Hebrews this physical tabernacle built in the wilderness by Israel is actually a pattern of Heavenly things. (See the Philosophical Measuring Rod article, p. 16 for details).

Elohim (God) revealed to Moses that he indeed is a 3-fold archetype pattern with a spirit law therein, and that all things are made according to and follow this simple 1-2-3 pattern. The pattern consisted of a: Most Holy Place, Holy Place, and Court Round About, three compartments, yet one tabernacle. It shows that Elohim (God) is a 3-fold unity, and is the definition or explanation of the GODHEAD or Supernal Nature.

I am laying down this ground work to make spiritual comparisons by the 3-fold pattern. So, the principle of perception can be lined up according to this pattern, and I will compare it with other 3-fold examples for the reader to get a clearer picture.

Do Scholars Interpret the Bible Literally?

Many Biblical scholars look at events in the Bible, especially of the Messiah in his earthly ministry, and interpret them literally. On many occasions the Messiah himself pointed out the peoples misconception of what he was doing and told them in so many words that they did not have correct insight into the spiritual reality of what he was doing or saying. For example John 13:4-7 describes the event of Yahshua (Jesus) washing the disciples feet. Yet in doing the literal act of Foot Washing he also tells them they did not know what he was doing (verse 5). Taking this at face value it wouldnt make any sense. Why would the Messiah perform what obviously is the literal washing of feet as perceived by physical eyesight, then tell the group whose feet He was washing that He was not really doing that? Such enigmas have caused many Biblical scholars to close the Bible and give up!

The answer lies in understanding that Yahshua (Jesus) did perform the physical ritual of foot washing, but He was clueing the disciples in on the fact that it pointed to a greater spiritual principle. In other words, neither the observance with the disciples physical eyes of the act of foot washing nor the interpretation of this act with their mental faculties was sufficient to "SEE" (comprehend) the true inner nature to which it pointed. In this instance the act of physical foot washing was pointing to a greater spiritual washing or cleansing of the soul of man.

Does Washing Feet Point To Washing Souls?

One can better understand this when he understands that there is a direct allegory between washing the "SOLE OF THE FOOT," and washing the "SOUL OF A MAN." So we find that the SOLE points to the SOUL, hence they even sound alike. So as the Messiah washed the "SOLES" of the disciples feet with physical water, he was pointing to a greater washing of the "SOUL" (the inner man), that would be accomplished through the spirit. The Messiah bore witness of this when in the 7th verse of John 13th Chapter he told Peter that he didnt need to be washed all over, but needed only his feet washed to be clean.

How Can One Wash An Immaterial Soul?

One might ask, how can a soul which is non-material be washed. Well, in John 7:38-39 the Messiah said: He that believeth on me, as the scripture hath said, out of his belly shall flow rivers of living water. (But this spake he of the Spirit, which they that believe on him should receive: for the Holy Ghost was not yet given; because that Yahshua (Jesus) was not yet glorified.) He meant that rivers of Living Water would flow from the belly (or heart) and that he spake of the spirit which would come and renew the apostles and others beginning on the day of Pentecost. Clearly, this takes it off of physical water coming literally out of ones belly or heart. Also Proverbs 18:4 states that the: "words of a mans mouth are like a wellspring of life." What does all this mean? The truth, as it is preached to a man, can cleanse his conscience or soul of negative principles or evil, just as physical water flowing over flesh cleanses the body. Peter also said to the Messiah in John 6:68: "... to whom shall we go? thou hast the words of eternal life." Truly the Messiah was really washing SOULS, when he preached unto mans filthy conscience the heavenly words of truth and tried to impart to them a correct divine understanding of the creator. This process of washing the inner man continues today as one begins to "SEE," comprehend, or be given true insight by Elohim (God) within him. As divine spiritual principles (truths) are revealed and understood in ones heart and mind then that person has had a vision and revelation of Yahweh (the Lord) and also the heart and mind is washed of negative principles such as hate, malice, strife, contention, etc.

What Is The Spiritual Significance of the Process of Physical Eyesight?

The final point I will examine briefly, but introspectively as far as visions are concerned, is the process of physical eyesight (Romans 1:19-20). I would like to refer the reader to the diagram in this article of a physical eye illustrating the process of sight.

With physical sight an inverted or upside down image is formed on the retina of the eyeball (back of eyeball). When man sees an object through his physical eyes, it actually registers on the retina in an upside down position. Since obviously man doesnt walk around seeing things upside down, something is making an immediate correction for this. That is the job of the Brain (in the HEAD), to correct the inverted image whereby man can see it correctly. (See invert, defined earlier, p. 9). This too is pointing to something spiritual, for it is the Messiah in a man (The true HEAD of all principality, and power) that has to convert all the false or incorrect images in his mind (about spiritual things) to the correct ones.

Can The Truth Correct the Inverted Image of the Creator?

The truth, as taught by the spirit of Yahshua (Jesus) within man can correct his upside down picture of Elohim (God). In other words if a person "SEES" only the natural, literal or physical side of something, he is what the Bible calls carnally minded (Romans 8:6) and has not yet received spiritual insight or illumination from the creator. Man has an upside down perception of spirit because he thinks the physical is the reality when in fact its the opposite, the spirit is the reality that the physical only reflects. To have received spiritual insight (**the inverted image is corrected) means one has had a vision from Elohim (God). The emphasis is on what is understood about the creator in ones heart and mind. The false images, misconceptions, or lack of insight mankind has had about Elohim (God) or spirit are too numerous to name in one article but consider this: Many folks in the traditional religious world are very much bound in performing rituals i.e.- water baptisms, foot washings, lords suppers, communions, and physical works for salvation.

Are Ceremonies and Rituals Images and Not the Reality?

Now in Hebrews 10:1 it states that such things are an image and not the reality of those things. Consider this: Is the reflection of your face that you see in the silvery mirror the real you, or is the real you standing before the mirror? If the mirror cracks, will your face also crack? We have already illustrated the physical act of foot washing as performed by the Messiah (John 13:4-7) was not the reality, but pointed to a washing of regeneration in the soul or inner man. Colossians 2:10 says that such rituals are not to be touched or handled. Romans 10:4 states that the Messiah is the end of the law for the obtaining of righteousness to everyone that believeth and says that such rituals cannot purge or cleanse a mans conscience. (**Remember the conscience is in the soul***).

Did The Messiah Restore Man's Spiritual Insight?

In conclusion, let me say the following. Beginning on the day of Pentecost, June 6, A.D. 33, after the Messiah had finished his mission in the earthplane he began to restore or correct mans spiritual sight (vision) or give us a correct mental image of Elohim (God) how he really is and actually exits. This process continues today to all the family of man if he asks Elohim (God) for such spiritual insight. It is possible for the Holy Spirit in you (The Power Latent in Man) to reveal his presence therein by visions and revelations. By that we do not so much mean a panoramic vision as John on Patmos, or Moses, or even if Elohim (God) himself appears to you. We mean that Yahshua in you can give you the correct spiritual perception (mental picture) in your heart and mind concerning spiritual principles and this is done by the truth being told and taught. That is what is meant when we say one has had a divine vision and revelation. It is my humble prayer that Yahshua (Jesus) give you this insight.

Job states: "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, (Job 33:15)."

Return to the PLIM Report Table of ContentsHome Page|What's New