God is indeed a great mystery who is to be honored by all he created: Sun, moon, stars, atmosphere, sea creatures, lightening, hail, snow, clouds, wind, mountains, fruit trees, animals, birds and all people are called to worship him whose splendor is above the earth and the heavens!

All creation has a relationship with the Creator and all Creation is called upon to Praise him! “Oh, the depth of the riches of the wisdom and knowledge of God! How unreachable his judgments, and his paths beyond tracing out! Romans 11:33

 

DO HEALERS RECEIVE POWER IN VISIONS TO MINISTER

TO PEOPLE?

Many Animists believe that healers receive power through visions to discern the causes of sickness and perform ceremonies to restore balance and bring healing.

To facilitate the acquisition of power indigenous people go on a Vision quest where they seek communication with the spirit world. They go alone to a solitary place and remain there for several days. The quest usually includes prayer, fasting and making sacred offerings to the spirits. Several days without food and water help make the seeker of visions more a tuned to spiritual realities.

Vision quests are undertaken for several reasons: some are puberty rites which mark the transition from childhood to adulthood, some are done to prepare a person to become a healer, others are done to fulfill a vow, and still others are done so they can participate in other ceremonies or seek spiritual guidance. Some of the blessings received during the quest may include receiving names, sacred objects, songs, prophecies, teachings, ceremonies and spiritual powers from spirit helpers.

Some of the lessons and power received in a vision quest are not understood at the time but are revealed in the future; sometimes they are gradually understood as one matures. With this fuller understanding comes knowledge of specific feats, difficulties and sacrifices required of the person for the good of ones family or tribe.

Is this what the Bible teaches?  Do we need visions to empower us for life’s mission? One favorite text quoted by preachers is “Where there is no vision, the people perish,” Proverbs 29:18. What this implies is that visions are necessary for health, prosperity and life, without vision man stumbles and falls in the darkness! Visions equip and empower! So, is acquiring a vision an essential ingredient in New Testament spirituality?  Yes it is and we’ll look at two examples, which prove it is essential: The first is from the life of Jesus, and the second is from Pentecost, when the church was founded.

First, what Jesus did before he started his ministry was very similar to a Vision Quest. Jesus goes alone into a solitary place, the desert, and fasts 40 days. At the end of his fast he was tempted, had visions and received spiritual wisdom which helped him prioritize his life’s mission, Matthew 4:1-11 & Luke 4:1-13. At the end of his quest, the spirits came to minister to him. He then received spiritual power to proclaim truth, free the captives, release the oppressed and bring God’s blessing to the world, Luke 4:14-21; Hebrews 1:14. The full implications of Jesus’ experience were not fully understood at that time. Only later did the full realization that he would suffer and die on the cross for his people become clear to him.

The second illustration of the importance of visions in the New Testament is from the Day of Pentecost. After Jesus rose from the dead and prior to his ascension, he told his disciples to wait in Jerusalem for the gift of his father; the baptism with the Holy Spirit and power, Acts 1:4-7. When this baptism arrived, Jesus said, they would become witnesses to the ends of the world, Acts 1:8. Their faithfulness and endurance in suffering would depend upon this empowerment.  After Jesus ascended into heaven, 120 disciples, men, women, young and old were together in prayer and fasting for 10 days (from the time he ascended till Pentecost), then the Holy Spirit came.

The Spirit was poured out on all of them, and they saw visions, dreamed dreams and prophesied, Acts 2:17-18. Furthermore, they were empowered for their lives as healers and communicators of God’s love in Christ Jesus. Many Christians today would do themselves and others good by seeking a vision, what the world needs is healing and love not more division.

Both the ministry of Jesus as Messiah and the very foundation of the Church are established upon a Vision Quest like experience. While the vision quest of indigenous people is open to their spirit guide (angel), Christians who seek a vision, like Jesus may receive the help of spirits but

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