“And there was a certain disciple at Damascus, named Ananias; and to him said the Lord in a vision, Ananias. And he said, Behold, I am here, Lord,” (Acts 9:10).
“Vision” is one of the methods the Lord uses through the Bible to communicate with chosen people.
Therefore, He utilizes them to communicate with Abram, Daniel, and Ananias.
“After these things the word of the Lord came unto Abram in a vision, saying, Fear not, Abram: I am thy shield, and thy exceeding great reward,” (Genesis 15:1).
So, if you were wondering how the Lord communicates with the Fathers of Old, now you know that one of his methods was in a vision.
The Lord Brags About Three Men
The Lord brags about these three greats of the Bible: Noah, Daniel, and Job (Ezekiel 14:14, 16, 18). Of the three, we definitely know that He speaks to Daniel in a vision.
He confesses: “And I saw in a vision; and it came to pass, when I saw, that I was at Shushan in the palace, which is in the province of Elam; and I saw in a vision, and I was by the river of Ulai,” (Daniel 8:2).
Therefore, I want you to recognize that if you can see it in a vision you can achieve it. Your vision is powerful. It’s a picture of your future.
So, now the Lord uses a vision to interact with Ananias. Listen as He contacts and directs Ananias through his vision.
“And the Lord said unto him, Arise, and go into the street which is called Straight, and enquire in the house of Judas for one called Saul, of Tarsus: for, behold, he [prays],” (Acts 9:11).
When does the Lord Communicate in a Vision?
Similarly, on many occasions, the Lord communicates in a vision to persons praying.
“And hath seen in a vision a man named Ananias coming in, and putting his hand on him, that he might receive his sight,” (Acts 9:12).
Note the reason for the proposed laying on of Ananias hands on Saul of Tarsus that he may regain his sight.
Observe too, that in a vision you are able to utilize your senses to perceive and communicate. Therefore, Ananias expresses his fear of Saul to the Lord in a vision.
“… Lord, I have heard by many of this man, how much evil he hath done to thy saints at Jerusalem,” (Acts 9:13).
Are you Immune to Evil?
Many Christians feel that when they commence following Jesus Christ they become immune to evil. But don’t you know that the opposite is true. Instead, we become targets for it.
But the good news is, the Lord God “deliver[s] us from evil” every day, (Matthew 6:13; Luke 11:4).
Ananias continues to express his deep concerns about Saul of Tarsus. He tells the Lord:
“And here [in Damascus] he hath authority from the chief priests to bind all that call on thy name,” (Acts 9:14).
Even the strongest Christians could sometimes become fearful when confronted with real-life danger or potential danger.
They weren’t Persecuted Because they were Christians
Please friends, observe the reason for their persecution because yours is identical if you call on the great the name Jesus Christ.
They weren’t persecuted because they were Christians. They only experience oppression because they did everything in the name of Jesus Christ.
Trace back to the time when your maltreatment started and you will observe that it began when you took a stand for the name of Jesus Christ.
Not all Christians experience tyranny, only those who embrace the name: Jesus Christ. Because he is the only begotten Son of God. There’s not a second one any place.
It’s Not Personal
In 2010, when I just started to blog about Jesus Christ, I came under immense pressures from oppositions. And it came from quarters I never imagined.
These include my home, on the streets, at work, in church. Wherever I went I was facing persecution because I embraced the name: Jesus Christ. Then, it came to prevent the publishing of my first book: “Living Soul”.
It will come to destroy the Word of God in you. Its’ not personal. It’s after the ministry of the Word in you. It comes to silence you.
Had I yielded to it my first book wouldn’t be published. This is where you need “the peace of God” to relay “all understanding” about what you are experiencing to your heart (Philippians 4:7).
The Vessel He Chooses Will Experience Persecution
And it’s the same “peace of God” that will keep your heart and mind from worrying about your situation. It will give you peace.
“But the Lord said unto [Ananias], Go thy way: for [Saul] is a chosen vessel unto me, to bear my name before the Gentiles, and kings, and the children of Israel,” (Acts 9:15).
God chose Saul of Tarsus to tell three different groups of people about his name. They are the non-Jews; kings; and the Children of Israel or the Hebrews.
Observe, what God is doing. For the remainder of Saul’s life he will be actively rebuilding that which he was tearing down: namely the name of Jesus.
The Reason for the Suffering
“For I will shew him how great things he must suffer for my name’s sake,” (Acts 9:16).
And Saul will also realize that this is the reason for all his sufferings. The Jews will stone, and whip him because he taught in the name of Jesus Christ.
Any time you encounter demonic activities realizes that they will manifest as oppression or antagonism against the name: Jesus Christ.
Subsequently, Ananias obeyed the Lord. He visited Saul and carried out his assignment.
Have You Seen in a Vision What Jesus Sends You to do?
“And Ananias went his way, and entered into the house; and putting his hands on him said, Brother Saul, the Lord, even Jesus, that appeared unto thee in the way as thou camest, hath sent me, that thou mightest receive thy sight, and be filled with the Holy Ghost,” (Acts 9:17).
Earlier, I wrote about three ever-present features of disciples of Jesus Christ. In summary they are call, believe, and continue.
However, today, I wish to include an additional feature to those: namely “sent”. The Lord sends all His disciples. The Lord sent us into the world to preach and teach Jesus Christ.
Let’s go back to Ananias. He satisfied all these criteria. He obeyed the Lord. And the Lord sent him.
The Lord Sent Ananias
Therefore, listen to his words. He informs Saul about who sent him. Again, I must emphasize this: What is the name of the Lord?
This time not Saul but Ananias provides the answer. Therefore, he says, “the Lord, even Jesus” “sent me” to you (Acts 9:17).
So, again we see that the name of the Lord is Jesus.
“And immediately there fell from his eyes as it had been scales: and he received sight forthwith, and arose, and was baptized,” (Acts 9:18).
So, Ananias achieve his objective for Saul sees again. And more, because now he got baptized in water and he also received the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He is born again.
Send for Saul to Receive the Holy Ghost
Ananias had a vision and Saul had one too. However, Saul didn’t see himself receiving the baptism of the Holy Ghost. He saw himself regaining his sight. But he didn’t see in his vision, him being baptised in water or in the Spirit. But it was in God’s plan for him.
This tells us how important these baptisms: water and Spirit are to our effectiveness in the Kingdom of God. Without them we lack spiritual authority and power. We are weak and ineffective without them.
If they weren’t Saul wouldn’t need to get them.
Finally, this vision that I’m talking of we don’t see it with our eyes. Yes, Christians possess an additional means to see. We utilize our hearts or spirits to see.
We also make use of it to communicate with the Lord God in a vision. It’s a spiritual experience. For that reason it often occurs while praying. Remember Peter praying on the roof? He had a vision. What’s your vision?
