How do you know the difference between a dream and a vision?

I know this is an odd question, but how would someone know if they were just dreaming or actually being shown a vision? Based off my belief of the Bible, God used to give people visions all the time.

So what's to determine if someone has a dream or a vision? I guess technically if it doesn't come true its a dream, but if its a vision and ignored, then you're making a big mistake.

Is there any way to tell this?

 

One happens with your eyes closed, the other with your eyes open.

 

Once you write it down on paper and someone puts it into a book, then a few silly wars are fought over it, it becomes a vision.

 

I don't see how that necessarily determines it. I'd think you could have a vision as a dream. I don't think you have to be awake for it. There were many episodes in the Bible in which God conveyed his message via a dream.

 

It would hard for me to have a dream and then call it a vision. I know it happened in the Bible but most people would just say you were dreaming.
I really wouldn't know how to tell. Have you had a vision?

 

Excellent question, Brain. Judging by the pattern in the Bible, those who were given visions from God seemed to be certain about what they were, and Who they were from. Maybe that's the difference.

 

Actually that's part of the reasoning behind the question. I'm freaked out about a dream I had last night. I know that sounds weird, but considering what it dealt with I'm just wondering how I should look at it. I'm 90% leaning towards thinking it was just a dream, but there's this little part of it that's eating at me asking if it meant more.

 

Was it a message, or more of a picture?

 

It was like this. I was outside. Its your average day. Suddenly there's a flash of light, and I can see the sky like its night, but also the sun. Its like the blue sky disappeared and I could see stars in the sky like I would at night, but the sun was still there where it was before. Then it flashed back, but not it was a weird gray clouded type sky. You could still make out the sun's silhouette behind the weird gray clouds, but not really see it. Its kinda like you could tell where the sun was through the clouds because of its brightness, but not not actually see it. But oddly enough there was another star equally as bright, but not as large opposite the sun in the sky. I then remember running to gather up all of my family to protect them, but I'm not sure from what. While getting them I remember looking at the TV for a second and seeing something odd about warring in Egypt.

The whole ordeal just seemed VERY odd. I don't dream like that.

 

PCP?