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Counsels for the Church
But not all of the visions were given in public, accompanied by
marked physical phenomena. The Lord promised to communicate
with the prophets through dreams as well.
Numbers 12:6
. These are
prophetic dreams, such as Daniel had. He declares: “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.”
Daniel 7:1
.
As Daniel tells of what was revealed to him, in
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several instances he says, “I saw in the night visions.” Likewise, in
Mrs. White’s experience visions were given to her when her mind
was at rest during the hours of the night. Her writings often contain
the introductory statement: “In the visions of the night some things
were clearly presented to me.” Frequently God spoke to the prophet in
a prophetic dream. Questions may arise concerning the relationship
between a prophetic dream or night vision, and an ordinary dream. Of
this Mrs. White wrote in 1868
:
“There are many dreams arising from the common things of life,
with which the Spirit of God has nothing to do. There are also false
dreams, as well as false visions, which are inspired by the spirit of
Satan. But dreams from the Lord are classed in the word of God with
visions. Such dreams, taking into account the persons who have them,
and the circumstances under which they are given, contain their own
proofs of their genuineness.”
At one time, quite late in Mrs. White’s life, her son, Elder W. C.
White, seeking information to help those who were less informed,
made this inquiry of her: “Mother, you often speak of matters being
revealed to you in the night season. You speak of dreams in which
light comes to you. We all have dreams. How do you know that God
is speaking to you in the dream of which you so frequently speak?”
“Because,” she answered, “the same angel messenger stands beside
me instructing me in the visions of the night as stands beside me
instructing me in the visions of the day.” The heavenly being referred
to was at other times spoken of as “the angel,” “my guide,” “my
instructor,” etc.
There was no confusion in the mind of the prophet, no question as
to the revelation that came during the hours of the night, for the very
circumstances in connection with it made it clear that it was instruction
from God.