Hebrews 1:[1] God, who at sundry times and in divers manners spake in time past unto the fathers by the prophets,
[2] Hath in these last days spoken unto us by his Son, whom he hath appointed heir of all things, by whom also he made the worlds;
In times past God spoke to people through dreams, visions and prophets. Before the Old Testament canon was completed and during its’ compilation. God also gave certain prophets the ability to interpret dreams.
Job.33:[14] For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
[15] In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
[16] Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
[17] That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
Genesis 46:[2] And God spake unto Israel in the visions of the night, and said, Jacob, Jacob. And he said, Here am I.
Numbers 12:[6] And he said, Hear now my words: 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.
The word “dream (s) (ed) (ing)” appears 114 times in the old testament while only 9 times in the New testament.
In the New Testament God spoke to the wise men and Joseph in a dream. He also gave visions to the Apostle Peter, the Apostle Paul and Gabriel appeared to Zacharias in a vision. Again we find this occurred inter-testament a time in which the New Testament canon did not exist.
The only use of the word vision in any epistle is in Second Corinthians where Paul says he will have visions.
The word dream occurs only once in any epistle and the reference is to “filthy dreamers” in the Book of Jude. The word dream never occurs in the Pauline epistles.
The word vision (s) appears 86 times in the Old Testament while appearing 17 times in the New Testament.
God has given us His complete revelation through His word and the indwelling of the Holy Spirit. For those who would seek more experiences through dreams and visions I would think are skating on thin ice. In the Old Testament days God spoke to man through sundry methods but now He speaks through the foolishness of preaching.
In first Corinthians we find gifts such as knowledge, prophecy and tongues had a definit time period in which they would end. (First Corinthians 13:8)
As New Testament Christians we are instructed to walk by faith and not by sight. We do not see visions but rather through the guidance of the indwelling Holy Spirit and through sound preaching and study of the Word of God, God reveals His will to believers.
The Bible says:
2Timothy 3:[16] All scripture is given by inspiration of God, and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof, for correction, for instruction in righteousness:
[17] That the man of God may be perfect, throughly furnished unto all good works.
It is the Bible which gives us our doctrine, correction and instruction. It gives us everything we have need of.
In the book of Jeremiah we find the false prophets use their dreams to lead the people of God astray. In contrast to using the word of God they rather use their false dreams to lead people away from the word of God.
Jer.23:[25] I have heard what the prophets said, that prophesy lies in my name, saying, I have dreamed, I have dreamed.
[26] How long shall this be in the heart of the prophets that prophesy lies? yea, they are prophets of the deceit of their own heart;
[27] Which think to cause my people to forget my name by their dreams which they tell every man to his neighbour, as their fathers have forgotten my name for Baal.
[28] The prophet that hath a dream, let him tell a dream; and he that hath my word, let him speak my word faithfully. What is the chaff to the wheat? saith the LORD.
[29] Is not my word like as a fire? saith the LORD; and like a hammer that breaketh the rock in pieces?
[30] Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that steal my words every one from his neighbour.
[31] Behold, I am against the prophets, saith the LORD, that use their tongues, and say, He saith.
[32] Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, saith the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, saith the LORD.
In conclusion let us as New Testament born again believers continual to walk by our faith as revealed to us through the Holy Spirit and God’s word.