Dreams and Visions
Visions and dreams are all over the Bible, but for some reason, a lot of Christians shy away from recognizing that God speaks to us this way. The enemy tries to steal and counterfeit the things of God, but we shouldn't let that scare us from experiencing God through dreams and visions. Watch this episode of Faith Training to learn more!
Several people received crucial visions from the Bible: Daniel, Ezekiel, Peter, John on the isle of Patmos.
Several people received crucial dreams in the Bible:
Joseph in Genesis 37
“Now Joseph had a dream, and when he told it to his brothers they hated him even more.”
Genesis 37:5 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/gen.37.5.esv
Joseph in Matthew Chapters 1 and 2
But as he considered these things, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared to him in a dream, saying, “Joseph, son of David, do not fear to take Mary as your wife, for that which is conceived in her is from the Holy Spirit.
Matthew 1:20 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.1.20
“But when Herod died, behold, an angel of the Lord appeared in a dream to Joseph in Egypt, saying, “Rise, take the child and his mother and go to the land of Israel, for those who sought the child’s life are dead.””
Matthew 2:19-20 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.2.19-20.esv
Interpretation of dreams:
Joseph in Genesis 40, 41
Daniel after fasting for 10 days
“As for these four youths, God gave them learning and skill in all literature and wisdom, and Daniel had understanding in all visions and dreams.”
Daniel 1:17 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/dan.1.17.esv
So what about now?
“Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever.”
Hebrews 13:8 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/heb.13.8.esv
God is immutable. He does not change.
““For I the Lord do not change; therefore you, O children of Jacob, are not consumed.”
Malachi 3:6 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mal.3.6.esv
““And it shall come to pass afterward, that I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, and your young men shall see visions. Even on the male and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit.”
Joel 2:28-29 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/jol.2.28-29.esv
This did not end with the death and resurrection of Christ! This was just the beginning! The Spirit was poured on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2! Peter quotes Joel when He rebukes the people that think the people speaking in tongues are drunk.
““‘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 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/act.2.17.esv
“even on my male servants and female servants in those days I will pour out my Spirit, and they shall prophesy. And I will show wonders in the heavens above and signs on the earth below, blood, and fire, and vapor of smoke; the sun shall be turned to darkness and the moon to blood, before the day of the Lord comes, the great and magnificent day. And it shall come to pass that everyone who calls upon the name of the Lord shall be saved.’”
Acts 2:18-21 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/act.2.18-21.esv
Visions and dreams are far from over! If you want these gifts, ask!
““Ask, and it will be given to you; seek, and you will find; knock, and it will be opened to you. For everyone who asks receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks it will be opened. Or which one of you, if his son asks him for bread, will give him a stone? Or if he asks for a fish, will give him a serpent? If you then, who are evil, know how to give good gifts to your children, how much more will your Father who is in heaven give good things to those who ask him!”
Matthew 7:7-11 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.7.7-11.esv
Why would you want these gifts?
“For God speaks in one way, and in two, though man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls on men, while they slumber on their beds, then he opens the ears of men and terrifies them with warnings, that he may turn man aside from his deed and conceal pride from a man; he keeps back his soul from the pit, his life from perishing by the sword.”
Job 33:14-18 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/job.33.14-18.esv
“Where there is no prophetic vision the people cast off restraint, but blessed is he who keeps the law.”
Proverbs 29:18 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/pro.29.18.esv
What do we do when we receive prophetic dreams and visions?
Write them down!
“And the Lord answered me: “Write the vision; make it plain on tablets, so he may run who reads it. For still the vision awaits its appointed time; it hastens to the end—it will not lie. If it seems slow, wait for it; it will surely come; it will not delay. “Behold, his soul is puffed up; it is not upright within him, but the righteous shall live by his faith. “Moreover, wine is a traitor, an arrogant man who is never at rest. His greed is as wide as Sheol; like death he has never enough. He gathers for himself all nations and collects as his own all peoples.””
Habakkuk 2:2-5 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/hab.2.2-5.esv
So with dreams and visions:
1. Write them down.
2. Pray for interpretation and application.
3. Wait for it’s appointed time.
4. Live by faith in God.
“Be sober-minded; be watchful. Your adversary the devil prowls around like a roaring lion, seeking someone to devour.”
1 Peter 5:8 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/1pe.5.8.esv
The gifts of God are irrevocable.
“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”
Romans 11:29 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/rom.11.29.esv
Scripture to meditation and prayer for peaceful sleep:
“In peace I will both lie down and sleep; for you alone, O Lord, make me dwell in safety.”
Psalm 4:8 ESV
https://www.bible.com/bible/59/psa.4.8.esv
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