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Ellen G. White and Her Critics

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The Bible Describes Prophets in Vision

It is an interesting fact that the Bible makes certain comments on how prophets have acted in vision. The prophet Daniel thus describes a certain vision that he had as he was “by the side of the great river” Hiddekel: EGWC 58.2

“And I Daniel alone saw the vision: for the men that were with me saw not the vision; but a great quaking fell upon them, so that they fled to hide themselves. Therefore I was left alone, and saw this great vision, and there remained no strength in me: for my comeliness [margin, “vigour”] was turned in me into corruption, and I retained no strength. Yet heard I the voice of his words: and when I heard the voice of his words, then was I in a deep sleep on my face, and my face toward the ground. EGWC 58.3

“And, behold, an hand touched me, which set me upon my knees and upon the palms of my hands. And he said unto me, O Daniel, a man greatly beloved, understand the words that I speak unto thee, and stand upright: for unto thee am I now sent. And when he had spoken this word unto me, I stood trembling.” “And when he had spoken such words unto me, I set my face toward the ground, and I became dumb. And, behold, one like the similitude of the sons of men touched my lips: then I opened my mouth, and spake, and said unto him that stood before me, O my lord, by the vision my sorrows are turned upon me, and I have retained no strength. For how can the servant of this my lord talk with this my lord? for as for me, straightway there remained no strength in me, neither is there breath left in me. Then there came again and touched me one like the appearance of a man, and he strengthened me.” Daniel 10:7-11, 15-18. EGWC 58.4

This would be described as a public vision. But Daniel also had night visions. We read: “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. Daniel then proceeds to describe what he saw in his “vision by night.” (Verse 2.) EGWC 59.1

Why the prophets had some visions by day and others by night we do not know. But this we do know, they made no distinction between these visions as to source, character, or spiritual significance. Indeed, there is no discoverable distinction between public visions and night visions, except that of the time and place of the visions. It is evident also that the prophets used, interchangeably, the words vision and dream. The latter term, of course, carries with it the thought of a revelation in the night, during sleep. Through Moses, God declared: “If there be a prophet among you, I the Lord will make myself known unto him in a vision, and will speak unto him in a dream.” Numbers 12:6. The only reasonable position is to attribute both public and night visions to the same cause and source, the Spirit of God. EGWC 59.2

Take the case of Balaam. Though he attempted to do Israel harm, the record is clear that certain amazing experiences he had in connection with that attempt were experiences given to him of God. We read: EGWC 59.3

“And Balaam lifted up his eyes, and he saw Israel abiding in his tents according to their tribes; and the spirit of God came upon him. And he took up his parable, and said, Balaam the son of Beor hath said, and the man whose eyes are open hath said: he hath said, which heard the words of God, which saw the vision of the Almighty, falling into a trance, but having his eyes open.” Numbers 24:2-4. EGWC 59.4