12 Different Types of Visions Found In the Bible

There are various types of visions that a Christian may experience, all of which are supported by Scripture. I found it interesting to gather verses from the Bible that encompass the different types of visions. Then I came across a comprehensive list in James Goll’s book “The Seer.”

Different types of visions in the Bible:

1. Spiritual Perception
2. Pictorial Vision
3. Panoramic Vision
4. Dreams (and night visions)
5. Audible Voice
6. An Appearance
7. Divine Sight
8. Open Heaven
9. Trance
10. Out of Body Experience
11. Translation
12. Heavenly Visitation

These are the 12 different types of visions in the Bible.

I’ve experienced many of these types of visions, but not all of them. Let’s look at how James defines each of them, and I’ll also give my thoughts. These definitions are in my words, but I’ve taken some of the ideas from his book. You will have to check out The Seer on Amazon for more.

Spiritual Perception

James Goll considers this the lowest level of vision a person can experience. It’s spiritual perception and knowing something. It could also be called intuition or a gut feeling. An example would be when Jesus just knew things about people. Jesus knew what was in all men (John 2:24). He could also perceive and understand what people were thinking (Mathew 12:25).

You may have a word of knowledge or a word of wisdom for someone, and you know what it is, but you don’t know how you know. You perceive it. You don’t necessarily see a vision or hear a voice—you know something by the Spirit. It isn’t easy to explain. For me, it often feels like a memory coming to my mind—only it’s not my memory. It’s like I remember something I didn’t previously know or experience. It can feel like dejavu at times too.

Pictorial Vision?

And he said, “Hear my words: If there is a prophet among you, I, the Lord make myself known to him in a vision; I speak with him in a dream. 

Numbers 12:6 ESV

The Holy Spirit can be a powerful communicator. Through pictorial visions or mental impressions, God may provide snapshots of insight into people and situations in our physical world and the spiritual realm, revealing His plans for us with clarity and precision! 

These images are seen through vision and within our hearts, allowing us to receive understanding on both an earthly and a spiritual level.

The ability to receive information through mental impressions or pictures, commonly known as pictorial visions, is a powerful tool that the Holy Spirit uses to communicate with us. It is a form of the simple gift of prophecy mentioned in 1 Corinthians 14:3 and something that all believers can develop.

As I reflect on my own journey, I have come to realize that while some individuals may be naturally more inclined to see these visions, it does not mean that others cannot grow in this area. I find myself more attuned to sensing and feeling things rather than seeing them, but I have understood that this is also a part of the “seer” realm. The key is to be open to the leading of the Holy Spirit and trust that He will guide us in how we receive His messages.

This person may say, “The Lord is showing me…” or “I am seeing…” or “Does this picture mean anything to you?” Because pictorial visions present distinct pictures in his or her mind, not only in the spirit, as is the case with spiritual perception. The Seer Page 117

Panoramic Visions

I spoke to the prophets; it was I who multiplied visions and, through the prophets, gave parables. – 

Hosea 12:10 ESV

James Goll speaks of panoramic visions, unique experiences beyond just a static pictorial vision. They are powerful dreamscapes where movement and audible messages can be seen and heard as if one were watching their own personal movie unfold before them! Again, we have an incredible example from Acts 9: Saul’s sight was restored when Ananias prayed for him.

The Greek word “horama” used in the Bible reveals this vision was indeed a “panorama,” forming what we now understand today as these larger-than-life encounters with God Himself.

I had an encounter that I would describe this way, only it happened within a dream, but I was conscious and awake. It was strange because I had this dream in which God tested me; as soon as I passed the test, I woke up and was conscious that I had just passed a test, only I was still in the dream and not awake.

Even though I thought I was awake. Then, as I looked out of a window above my bed, which wasn’t there in the natural, I began having a moving picture type of vision. This was a time when God was promising me some things. I’ll share it sometime, but I am not sure.

That leads us to the next type.

Night Vision & Dreams

Daniel saw a dream and visions of his head as he lay in his bed. 

Dan 7:1 ESV.

The Bible is full of God giving people dreams to instruct, guide, and motivate them to action. There are many times God is trying to speak something important to us, but we are too busy to notice that he’s trying to get our attention—so he will make his will known to us in a dream.

Dreams and visions frequently involve angels in the Bible. This can be seen in many stories in the Bible, especially in Daniel 10 (when he was on a fast and an angel appeared to him and gave him visions). In my life, I’ve had several dreams with an angelic element to the dream. Either I sensed or knew that an angel was present when I got the dream.

Angels are messengers. I believe they hear from God and are given messages (or scrolls) to deliver to people on earth. One of how they communicate is through dreams.

When Jesus was born, an angel visited Joseph in a dream to tell him that Mary’s child was of the Holy Spirit. An angel also warned him in dreams to flee certain regions to protect baby Jesus. This angel warned him on multiple occasions through dreams.

Now when they had departed, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Rise, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you..

Mathew, 2:13 ESV.

Audible Voices

An angel of the Lord said to Philip, “Rise and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza. 

Acts 8:26

Hearing an audible voice can accompany a dream or a vision, but it can also be on its own. The voice can be external or internal. It can be in your inner ear (or mind) so only you can hear it—or it can come from outside of yourself and be something you hear with your actual ear—and something other people can hear around you.

I’ve only heard an audible voice once that I can remember, and it was the internal audible voice of God—but I’ve frequently awoken at night to angelic voices singing as well.

When I was 19 years old, I worshipped Jesus in my heart as I waited for my ride home from work when suddenly I heard a loud voice in my head speak my first name and tell me that he was proud of me. I instantly recognized it as the Father.

And behold, a voice from heaven said, “This is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. 

Mathew 3:17 ESV

12 Bible Verses On Hearing the Audible Voice of God

• Exodus 3:2-4 – God speaks to Moses through a burning bush.
• Joshua 1:1-9 – God speaks to Joshua and encourages him to be strong and courageous.
• 1 Samuel 3:4-10 – God speaks to Samuel as a child through an audible voice.
• Isaiah 6:1-8 – Isaiah sees a vision of God and hears an audible voice calling him to be a prophet.
• Matthew 3:13-17 – God speaks from heaven and confirms Jesus as his Son.
• Luke 3:22 – The Holy Spirit descends upon Jesus as a dove, and a voice came from heaven, “You are my beloved Son; with you, I am well pleased.”
• John 12:28-30 – Jesus hears a voice from heaven at his triumphal entry into Jerusalem.
• Acts 9:3-6 – An audible voice speaks to Saul on the road to Damascus, and he becomes Paul, the apostle.
• Revelation 1:10-20 – John receives a vision of Jesus and hears an audible voice speaking to him.
• Genesis 22:11-18 – God speaks to Abraham and prevents him from sacrificing his Son Isaac.
• Exodus 20:22 – God speaks audibly to the Israelites at Mount Sinai and gives them the Ten Commandments.
• Job 38:1-7 – God speaks to Job out of a whirlwind, questioning him and revealing his divine power and wisdom.

Apparition & Appearance

And there appeared to him an angel of the Lord standing on the right side of the altar of incense. 

Luke 1:11 ESV

James Goll describes the appearance of a person (like Jesus or an angel) as being separate from a pictorial vision. So there is a difference between an apparition and a vision. He classifies visions as being symbolic, while an appearance is actually someone appearing to you and actually happening at the moment. He believes that apparitions can be interactive as well.

I’ve never had an apparition, so I don’t have too much to say about this—but I’d love to encounter Jesus like this someday! Wouldn’t you?

An appearance or apparition differs from a pictorial vision in that it is an actual—perhaps tangible and audible—visitation occurring outside the person. Pictorial visions are symbolic revelations with images shown to the mind by the Holy Spirit. These images may be of a person, a place, a thing, or any combination of these. In an apparition, an object, a place, a person, an angel, or Jesus might appear. These appearances can be “interactive” as well.

The Seer page 121

Apparitions & Appearances of Angels in the Bible

• Genesis 16:7-13 – An angel of the Lord appears to Hagar, the slave girl of Sarah, in the wilderness and tells her that she will have a son named Ishmael.
• Exodus 3:2-4 – Moses sees a burning bush on Mt. Sinai. God speaks to him from within the bush, revealing his name as “I AM” and commissioning Moses to lead the Israelites out of Egypt.
• Judges 6:11-23 – The angel of the Lord appears to Gideon and calls him to deliver Israel from the oppression of the Midianites.
• Luke 1:26-38 – An angel appears to Mary and tells her that she will conceive and bear a son, Jesus, who will be the Son of God.
• John 20:11-18 – After the resurrection of Jesus, he appears to Mary Magdalene in the garden and later to his disciples.

These are some of the examples of apparitions in the Bible. It is important to remember that all these apparitions have a purpose; they all have a message, instruction, revelation, or promise God has for his people.

Divine Sight

And Moses said, “I will turn aside to see this great sight, why the bush is not burned.

Exodus 3:3 ESV

He classifies divine sight as an experience similar to an apparition. Still, the difference is that divine site is seeing an object or activity taking place in the spiritual realm and being made visible in the natural realm. When Moses saw the flaming bush, it wasn’t burned up because the fire he saw was in the spiritual realm—even though it appeared to him in the natural.

Another example would be when the glory cloud descended and filled the temple in 2 Chronicles 5:13-14. Also, the Israelites followed a supernatural cloud by day and a mystical fire by night.

The only encounter I’ve had that fit his description was when I saw a flaming ball of fire in the night sky–which remained for 30-45 seconds without moving. This was immediately after a Sozo session I was in—in which someone had said they discerned the archangel, Gabriel. I admit—I didn’t believe him—but when I saw this on the way home, I realized he was probably right, and this experience confirmed some things he had said to me.

Being Under a Open Heaven

In the thirtieth year, in the fourth month, on the fifth day of the month, as I was among the exiles by the Chebar canal, the heavens were opened, and I saw visions of God.

Ezekiel 1:1 ESV

Open heaven is often the phrase used to describe the times when God’s manifest presence and power come down over a city, region, or meeting. The presence can be felt tangibly, and conversions, repentance, and healings are common and easy. People can have visions of the heavens opening.

An open heaven” is a vision where a hole appears in the immediate sky, the celestial realm is disclosed, and the heavenly sights of God become seeable.

The Seer page 122

Open heavens can be discerned by feeling too. I’m extremely sensitive to the spiritual atmosphere around me. When the heavens start opening during an intercession or worship set in the prayer room (at IHOPKC), I immediately know it because I can feel it. 

The subtle shifts in the spiritual atmosphere are tangible to me. Small changes and big ones. Many times other people can’t perceive what I am feeling and sensing.

I can sense when the heavens are opening, and I can also feel when warfare is increasing. When there is an actual open heaven, it becomes pretty clear to almost everyone. Even the least spiritually sensitive people know God is invading the space and doing something significant.

God Initiated Prophetic Trances

When I returned to Jerusalem and was praying in the temple, I fell into a trance 

Acts 22:17 ESV.

The Greek word for trance is ekstasis, the root word for ecstasy. 

An ecstatic experience can be something you are caught up in. Your consciousness and perception are expanded into whatever God wants to impart to you. The Christian mystics (like Teresa of Avila) referred to trances as raptures:

My soul at once becomes recollected, and I enter the state of quiet or that of rapture so that I can use none of my faculties and senses…Everything is still, and the soul is left in a state of great quiet and deep satisfaction. 

Teresa of Avila in Spiritual Relations

In 2015 I experienced a dozen or so ecstatic trances. My soul was suspended. My consciousness was immersed with extreme pleasure and joy as if I was Adam in the garden; or an infant. This was when I was under much warfare and had been in much anguish of soul—I had lost my grandmother who raised me. I needed a lot of healing in my soul, and God took me into a trance on several occasions to bring internal healing to my soul.

In the trances, I experienced great joy and powerful weighty vibrations. My entire body vibrated for a couple of weeks. It was wonderful and, at the same time, scary—it was a new experience for me. It was exhilarating, and it was thrilling. At this time in my life, I realized that for anyone to experience the emotion of exhilaration—there has to be some element of exploring the unknown, of danger, of fear. There really is a fear of God—it’s an awesome thing.

In these trances, I hardly had to breathe at all. I could exhale deeply and not have to inhale for over 5 minutes. It felt as if I could indefinitely hold my breath; I was energized by a supernatural power. I didn’t need to breathe. I could sing at the top of my lungs while not physically breathing. I know that doesn’t make sense—you’d have to experience it to fully grasp what I mean.

Being “in the Spirit”: Out Of Body Experience in the Bible

He put out the form of a hand and took me by a lock of my head, and the Spirit lifted me up between earth and heaven and brought me in visions of God to Jerusalem.

Ezekiel 8:3

And one of his servants said, “None, my lord, O king; but Elisha, the prophet who is in Israel, tells the king of Israel the words that you speak in your bedroom.”

2 Kings 6:12

In the Bible, God took Ezekiel’s spirit out of his body and brought him to Jerusalem. I’ve heard many stories of intercessors and prophets being taken out of their bodies to different locations around the globe. Sometimes God took them there to show them what to pray for. I’ve heard other stories where God has taken people’s spirits out of their bodies and brought them to the location of a loved one they were worried about—to show them where they are and safe.

I don’t believe a Christian should pursue out-of-body experiences. However, I think it’s ok to ask God for heavenly encounters–but these encounters should be initiated by God for His purpose. 

For example, I had an out-of-body experience once during a Daniel Fast. I awoke one night, standing in the Spirit out of my body.

I saw two angels who couldn’t speak to me until I rebuked a couple of demons. I rebuked the demons in the spirit, immediately had a night vision, and woke up in my physical body. I had three visions that night for my future. The Lord took me out of my body to show me that warfare hindered the angelic messenger from giving me dreams. Similar to Daniel’s experience in Daniel 10.

The apostle Paul was also brought to heaven—either in his physical body or his spirit—he didn’t know. I’ve heard many stories of people being taken to the 3rd heaven today—although it’s never happened to me.

I know a man in Christ who, fourteen years ago, was caught up to the third heaven—whether in the body or out of the body, I do not know, God knows.

2 Corinthians 12:2

Christians can have out-of-body experiences as the Holy Spirit leads. This isn’t something that a person should seek outside of seeking Jesus—but we can ask for these experiences!

Bible Verses on Being in the Spirit & Out of Body

1. Ezekiel 8:3 – The prophet Ezekiel is taken in a vision by the spirit and brought to Jerusalem, where he sees a vision of idolatry in the temple.
2. Ezekiel 37:1-14 – In another vision, Ezekiel is shown a valley of dry bones and is commanded to prophesy to them. As he does so, the bones come together and become a great army of the resurrected.
3. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 – Paul speaks of a man (likely himself) who was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard “unspeakable words” that he is not permitted to reveal.
4. Revelation 1:10 – John, the author of the book of Revelation, reports that he was “in the Spirit” when he received his vision of the risen and glorified Jesus.
5. Revelation 4:1-2 – In the next chapter of Revelation, John is again “in the Spirit” and is transported to heaven, where he sees a vision of God’s throne and the worship of the heavenly beings.
6. 2 Kings 6:12 ESV – Elijah can know the secrets said in the King of Syria’s bedroom

Translation & Being Transported in the Spirit

And when they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord carried Philip away, and the eunuch saw him no more and went on his way rejoicing.

Acts 8:39

A translation is when someone is physically transported to another place. When Philip baptized the eunuch, his physical body was transported somewhere else. In the same way, Jesus was transported when he was tempted by Satan on his 40-day fast in the wilderness.

I’ve never experienced this encounter, but I’ve heard stories of people who have. Ian Clayton talks about how he has been transported to other countries—even to the underground church in China. Bob Jones has stories of being transported to places as well. Again, I’ve never experienced this, but it would be pretty cool!

Heavenly Visitation & Visions of Heaven

James Goll distinguishes a heavenly visitation from an out-of-body experience. It’s an out-of-body experience where a person goes to the 3rd heaven and interacts with Jesus and/or angels.

Paul made it clear that when he visited heaven, it was the 3rd heaven—suggesting that there is a first and second heaven as well:

1. The first heaven is the atmosphere. The lowest heaven. Mathew 16:1-3
2. The second heaven is outer space (stars, sun, moon) Gen 1:16-17
3. The third heaven is where God is. It’s the highest heaven. Psalm 11:4

Bible Verses About Visiting Heaven & Visions of Heaven

1. 2 Corinthians 12:2-4 – Paul speaks of a man (likely himself) who was “caught up to the third heaven” and heard “unspeakable words” that he is not permitted to reveal.
2. Revelation 1:9-20 – John sees a vision of the risen and glorified Jesus, who speaks to him and commissions him to write the book of Revelation.
3. Revelation 4:1-2 – John is transported to heaven, where he sees a vision of God’s throne and the worship of the heavenly beings.
4. Revelation 21:1-22:5 – John continues his vision of heaven, seeing a new heaven and the new earth, the holy city, and the river of life.
5. Isaiah 6:1-8 – The prophet Isaiah has a vision of God sitting on his throne in the temple, surrounded by angels crying out, “Holy, holy, holy.” Isaiah is then commissioned as a prophet.
6. Ezekiel 1:1-28 – Ezekiel has a vision of God’s glory and the appearance of a whirlwind and fire, and four creatures that surround the throne of God.
7. Daniel 7:9-14 – Daniel sees a vision of God’s throne and “one like a son of man” coming on the clouds of heaven.
8. Genesis 28:10-22 – Jacob dreams of a ladder reaching heaven, with angels ascending and descending on it. God speaks to him and makes a covenant with him.

Test the Spirit to Know if it is From God

To recognize if a vision is from God, you need to weigh it against Scripture and test the spirit behind the vision or revelation. The things we see in the spirit need to be tested. God will never go against his word revealed in Scripture. If it doesn’t line up with Scripture, it isn’t from God. Period.

We are instructed in Scripture to test the spirits. This suggests that the early church was encountering spirits. They were encountering Holy Spirit, angels, and demons. This is why they wrote about testing the spirits. Any spirit that does not confess that Jesus Christ came in the flesh and is the Son of God is a deceiving spirit. Even satan can appear to a person as an angel of light (2 Corinthians 11:14-15).

Beloved, do not believe every spirit but test the spirits to see whether they are from God, for many false prophets have gone out into the world. By this, you know the Spirit of God: every spirit that confesses that Jesus Christ has come in the flesh is from God

1 John 4:1-2

(Note: since writing this post in 2019–I also hold the original view of this Scripture. It is a warning to test the words that come from a person’s mouth. This would reveal the sign of a true prophet and follower of Christ. However, I still have a feeling it can be interpreted the way I originally wrote this)

You can learn how to discern what is from God and what isn’t—you learn by practice. You learn by living a righteous life, being set apart and consecrated to God. By growing in the word and in relationship with the Holy Spirit.

But solid food is for the mature, for those who have their powers of discernment trained by constant practice to distinguish good from evil. 

Hebrews 5:14

Sometimes you may experience things that do not contradict Scripture but also can’t be found in Scripture. This is an extra-biblical revelation. I’ve heard many people experience this type of revelation—many people have had conversations with angels and Jesus in heaven, and things are revealed to them that are not in the Bible—but also don’t contradict the Bible either.

I’m not against this, but we must be cautious. It absolutely can’t go against the revealed word of God. If it’s not in the Bible (like I’ve heard Kat Kerr talk about bracelets people wear in heaven)—it doesn’t mean it’s wrong. But, it should not be a part of a person’s foundation in Christ. We need to be grounded in the written word of God.

7 Signs a Vision is Really From God

1. It aligns with the Word of God: The Bible is the foundation of our faith and the standard by which we measure all things. If the vision you received aligns with the teachings of the Bible, it is more likely to be from God.
2. You are marked with something afterward. A change of heart, a burning desire to see His will done on earth, the burden for a specific mandate he has given you.
3. It brings peace and not fear: The Bible teaches that the fruit of the Spirit is peace. If the vision you received brings a sense of peace and not fear, it is likely from God. (Unless it brings a renewed sense of the Fear of God and an increased hatred of sin).
4. It is confirmed by others: God often confirms His will through the counsel of others. If the vision you received is confirmed by others, it is more likely from God.
5. It leads to action: A vision from God is not just a nice idea. It is a call to action. If the vision you received leads to action and obedience, it is likely from God.
6. It is consistent with the character of God: God is love, He is righteous, He is holy, and He is truth. If the vision you received is consistent with the character of God, it is likely from Him.
7. It brings positive change: A vision from God should lead to positive change, whether in your own life or in the lives of others. If the vision you received leads to positive change and growth, it is likely from God.

How to know if a Vision is From God or My Imagination?

To know if a vision is from God or your imagination, you should ask yourself how you felt when you woke up. What were you feeling when you woke up from the dream? Was it peaceful or fearful? If it was causing fear or confusion, it wasn’t from God. We know that God is not the author of confusion.

Did the dream bring you closer to Jesus? Did it reveal something you should intercede and pray for? Ask the Holy Spirit and pause and wait for a response. Ask God to guide your thoughts and confirm whether this is coming from your soul or him. If it’s genuinely from him, ask him to confirm it again. Sometimes we can’t be certain. All we can do is surrender it to God and trust that he will continue to speak and confirm what he is saying.

Sometimes prophetic people put too much significance on their visions or dreams. They put a lot of pressure on themselves as if it’s a life or death scenario—like if they misinterpret a plan that could be from God, they will somehow miss out on his calling for their lives. God knows how to speak to each one of us individually. If you think a dream may be from God, but you aren’t sure. Ask him to confirm it again. He can!

What is a vision from God like?

Entering into a vision of God can be an absolutely awe-inspiring experience with varying emotions, perceptions, and physical feelings accompanying it. It can be a delightful experience or a terrifying one. The Bible is full of people encountering visions that produced dread at the awesomeness of God.

Getting a vision from God is a different experience for everyone. It will usually fit into one of the 12 different types of visions listed in this post. 

When you have one, you typically know it.

I find that my visions from God usually have multiple parts to them. For example, I often have visions while I am asleep. Not simply dreams but images of which I am conscious. These, almost always, have 2-3 separate parts to them. In one part of the vision, I may be standing on a glacier, and in the next, in the sky, looking down at a city.

James Goll identified these 12 different types of visions in the Bible, and you can read more about them in his book The Seer.