How God Speaks to Us: Visions, Trances, and Prophecies in Acts 10 (Cornelius and Peter)

Lily Agnès - 08:40 - (17 Reads)

In Acts 10:1–23, God demonstrates that He does not speak only through prophecy, but also through visions and trances. Cornelius, a devout man, receives a vision of an angel who gives him clear instructions. Meanwhile, the apostle Peter, while praying, falls into a trance and receives a vision that prepares his heart to welcome the Gentiles into God's plan of salvation.

This meditation encourages us to remain attentive to the different ways God chooses to speak. When God grants us a vision or a spiritual revelation, we should neither ignore nor despise it, but seek the guidance and discernment of the Holy Spirit so that we may understand and obey His will.

Presented by Sister Lily Agnès.

!The Different Ways God Speaks to Us.
Morning Reading: Acts 10:1–23

Beloved in the Lord, shalom, shalom! I hope we are all doing well this morning. Welcome to our meditation from the book of Acts, chapter 10, verses 1–23. Hallelujah!

If I were to give this message a title or theme, I would call it: "How Does God Speak to Us?" or "The Different Ways God Speaks to Us."

Nowadays, many people believe that God speaks only through prophecy. Certainly, prophecy is one of the ways God speaks to us, and it is a wonderful gift. However, it is not the only way. God speaks in many different ways. Because many people are drawn to prophecy, they are constantly seeking out prophets in search of a word from God. Yet God also speaks in other ways.

Acts chapter 10 presents two ways in which God spoke to two different people: Cornelius and the apostle Peter. These two ways are through a vision and through a trance.

Cornelius was a devout man who feared God with all his household. He gave generously to the poor and prayed to God continually (Acts 10:2). The Bible tells us that at the ninth hour of the day (about 3:00 p.m.), he received a vision: he clearly saw an angel of God enter his house and call him by name (Acts 10:3–4). He was not asleep, nor was he necessarily praying at that exact moment, yet God spoke to him. Everything that was revealed to him came to pass.

The apostle Peter, on the other hand, went up to the rooftop to pray at about the sixth hour (around noon). He became hungry, and while a meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance (Acts 10:9–10). During this trance, he received a vision: heaven opened, and a large sheet was lowered by its four corners, containing all kinds of animals. Then a voice spoke to him. Later, he understood the deeper meaning of this revelation (Acts 10:11–16; see also Acts 11:5–10). Once again, everything God revealed was completely fulfilled.

Beloved of God, I want to encourage us this morning: let us not think that God speaks only through prophecy. No! God also speaks through visions and through trances.

If God gives you a vision, do not ignore it.
If you are convinced that it comes from Him, take it seriously.
If God grants you the grace of being caught up in a trance—that is, of being spiritually transported so that He may show you things—do not despise it.

A trance is when the Lord takes us somewhere spiritually and allows us to see and experience what He wants to reveal. Sometimes people say, "God took me to a certain place... He showed me..." When God visits us in this way, what He reveals speaks to us, and it comes to pass.

Therefore, if the Lord grants you this grace and privilege, do not neglect it. Instead, seek the Holy Spirit. Ask Him to enlighten you so that you will not be distracted but will remain focused and sensitive to His voice. In this way, everything He shows you can be fulfilled.

May the Lord bless us! May He pour out His Spirit upon us so that we may always remain connected to Him, sensitive to His leading, and never miss what He desires to tell us through the different ways He chooses to speak.

May God bless us all. Amen.

Presented by Sister Lily Agnès.

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