Jim W. Goll. The Seer. Shippensburg PA: Destiny Image, 2004. Print.

In a reversal of the last book we reviewed here, this book title sounds like it might be a work of fiction, but it is not. It actually is a biblical teaching of the work and ministry of the seer.

I am familiar with the author. A Christian friend who used to lead a men’s discipleship group would occasionally share a teaching tape or CD by Mr. Goll. Here as in other instances, Goll has taught on a subject that others avoid or skim over.

While most of the book uses examples from the Bible, it occasionally illustrates its points from historical or contemporary examples.

The foundation of The Seer has at least two angles. The first is a Scripture from Joel quoted by Peter in Acts:

And in the last days it shall be, God declares,
that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh,
and your sons and your daughters shall prophesy,
and your young men shall see visions,
and your old men shall dream dreams… (Acts 2:17; cf. Joel 2:28)

(As an aside, the leader of the men’s group that I mentioned had a license plate that read Acts II.) The Seer also notes that the Bible in its original languages and in most translations distinguishes between prophets and seers.

If we understand even what these words mean in English, we can see the distinction. Prophets prophesy. They speak or write the words God gives them. Seers see things. They work in the realm of imagery rather than words, whether a visual impression in the mind, a dream, or some kind of vision.

The Seer is thorough. It notes the different ways people see things. It notes how a vision can sustain a person. Both Jacob and Joseph had dreams that directed their lives. In spite of threats from his brother and tricks played by his father-in-law, Jacob remained faithful to God. In spite of his unjust imprisonment, Joseph would understand that his dream and other dreams that he interpreted would become fulfilled. Even today people are looking at world events to help them understand the visions of Daniel, Ezekiel, and John.

There a couple of chapters on discernment. As with any kind of speech or ministry, this is crucial. Goll notes that visual impressions or dreams can come from the self, from evil spirits, from angels, or from the Holy Spirit. How can we tell the difference?

Goll also notes that there are eight different words the New Testament uses to describe different kinds of dreams and visions. One example I mention because it has become very popular and people may have lost sight of what it really means—apocalypsis (αποκαλυψις), usually translated revelation, including the title of the last book of the Bible. The word literally means “unveiling,” so the word revelation is a decent translation.

Goll also writes about visionary states. He notes that certain new age, oriental, and animistic religions also promote or claim visionary states in their leaders or adherents. He tells us how to distinguish the work of the Holy Spirit and notes the various terms and many examples that the Bible uses to discuss these things. One of the most important of these occurs in Genesis 15:12-21 when God cuts his covenant with Abram.

As the sun was going down, a deep sleep fell on Abram. And behold, dreadful and great darkness fell upon him. Then the Lord said to Abram, “Know for certain that your offspring will be sojourners in a land that is not theirs and will be servants there, and they will be afflicted for four hundred years. But I will bring judgment on the nation that they serve, and afterward they shall come out with great possessions. As for you, you shall go to your fathers in peace; you shall be buried in a good old age. And they shall come back here in the fourth generation, for the iniquity of the Amorites is not yet complete.”

When the sun had gone down and it was dark, behold, a smoking fire pot and a flaming torch passed between these pieces. On that day the Lord made a covenant with Abram, saying, “To your offspring I give this land, from the river of Egypt to the great river, the river Euphrates, the land of the Kenites, the Kenizzites, the Kadmonites, the Hittites, the Perizzites, the Rephaim, the Amorites, the Canaanites, the Girgashites, and the Jebusites.”

There are also a couple of chapters on dreams and interpreting dreams for those to whom God speaks this way.

The purpose of all these things is a rhema (ρημα), a specific word to address a specific situation, person, or group of people. The goal is encouragement, even over great periods of time: at least 13 years for Joseph, 21 for Jacob, 25 for Abraham, and 1878 years for the Jews as a nation! The ultimate goal is intimacy with God. What can be better than that?

As read this book, I thought of two people I know to whom God seems to speak this way. I recommended it to one—she said that she had already read it, and it had given her some confidence in understanding her relationship with the Lord. The other I have not seen yet, but I hope to recommend it to him as well.

One piece was a personal encouragement to me, even though I have rarely had any of the experiences noted in this book. Goll describes an experience he had some time after his father had passed away. Twice he heard a voice from Heaven say, “I have a word to give you from your father”:

I looked at the vision of my father’s smiling face right at me: “I understand you now!” Healing flowed into my being. (64)

Yes, brother, I understand. My own father was a faithful and loyal member of his conservative mainline church, but never understood his son’s “born-againism.” This testimony could help others as well.

The Seer can be a help or encouragement to many. As I meditate on this book, I cannot help thinking of the opening of the Book of Hebrews:

Long ago, at many times and in many ways, God spoke to our fathers by the prophets, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son…

Isn’t that what life is ultimately about?

For the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy. (Revelation 19:10)

Amen.