First, let’s define the word “vision.” It simply means “the act or power of SEEING.” Unless we are blind, we all have the “power to see”; some have nearly perfect SIGHT; others have some “vision impairment” requiring glasses or even surgery to remove cataracts or other things that obstruct one’s vision. What is the Bible definition of a vision? A vision is “a supernatural revelation from God given to a person, while they are awake or in a trance (see Acts 10:9-13), but in either case God is giving them something to SEE to communicate to them.” It may also include “words” spoken along with “sights”, but both are given as a ‘revelation from God’. God often spoke to Old Testament prophets in a vision. For example, in Numbers 12:6 we read, “Then He said, ‘Hear now My words: “If there is a prophet among you, I, the LORD, will make Myself known to him in a VISION; I speak to him in a DREAM’.” The word “vision” here is the Hebrew word “mareh.” Strong’s Concordance says it means “a VIEW” (the act of SEEING), also an “APPEARANCE.” So, a vision is something a person SEES (and possibly HEARS as well), while a dream would be something they “see” while they’re asleep. As we shall see, the disciples on the Mount of Transfiguration were given a VISION. They were awake and it was very REAL.

The account of the Transfiguration is recorded in Matthew 17, Mark 9, and Luke 9. Let’s read Matthew 17:1-9, “Now after six days Jesus took Peter, James, and John his brother, led them up on a high mountain by themselves; and He was TRANSFIGURED BEFORE THEM. His face shone like the sun, and His clothes became as white as the light. And BEHOLD, MOSES AND ELIJAH APPEARED TO THEM, talking with Him. Then Peter answered and said to Jesus, ‘Lord, it is good for us to be here; if You wish, let us make here three tabernacles: one for You, one for Moses, and one for Elijah.’ While he was speaking, BEHOLD, A BRIGHT CLOUD OVERSHADOWED THEM; and suddenly a voice came out of the cloud, saying, ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I was well pleased. Hear Him!’ And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their faces and were greatly afraid. But Jesus came and TOUCHED THEM and said, ‘Arise, and do not be afraid.’ When they LIFTED UP THEIR EYES, THEY SAW NO ONE BUT JESUS ONLY. Now as they came down from the mountain, Jesus commanded them, saying, ‘Tell the VISION to no one until the Son of Man is risen from the dead.’

I capitalized many words to show us that Peter, James and John literally SAW these things. They saw Jesus transfigured; they saw Moses and Elijah; they saw a bright cloud; they lifted up their eyes and “saw no one but Jesus only.” These were REAL SIGHTS that they BEHELD. They also HEARD words from Moses, Elijah, God the Father, and the Lord Jesus. They even FELT Jesus touch them. These were all REAL experiences, yet Jesus calls it a VISION because it was indeed a “supernatural revelation from God.” At the end of the previous chapter Jesus had told all His disciples, “Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not tase death till they SEE the Son of Man coming in His kingdom” (16:28). He was referring to Peter, James, and John who were privileged to SEE THE VISION on the Mount of Transfiguration which was a “Preview” of the coming Kingdom when Christ will come in His glory to establish His 1,000-year reign over the earth. Some years later the Holy Spirit inspired Peter to write of this VISION in 2 Peter 1:16-18, “For we did not follow cunningly devised fables when we made known to you the power and coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, but were EYEWITNESSES OF HIS MAJESTY. For He received from God the Father honor and glory when such a voice came to Him from the Excellent Glory: ‘This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.’ And we heard this voice which came from heaven when we were with Him on the holy mountain.”  (DO)  (731.5)