CHAPTER 2 - DREAMS AND VISIONS
The Source of Dreams and Visions
We left Chapter 1 discussing that dreams and visions can be seen by your own spiritual heart so we can trace the source of some dreams to your own inner man. This means you as a divinely created human being made in the image and likeness of God can create dreams and/or visions. This is one source of dreams that will be discussed more in-depth later on after we identify a second source of dreams and visions. This allows us to start at the bottom to work our way up to the top. Now let us explore another source of dreams and visions which is the devil. Since man is created on a higher level (closer to God’s image and likeness) than the wicked one and evil spirits these types of manifestations are classified as the lowest forms of dreams and visions. Yes, Satan and his operatives can bring evil thoughts (pictures, images) to your mind to make you afraid. This happened in the life of Job during his great trial of afflictions. Notice Job 7:13-15
13 When I say, My bed shall comfort me, my couch shall ease my complaint;
14 Then thou scarest me with dreams, and terrifiest me through visions:
15 So that my soul chooseth strangling, and death rather than my life. KJV
As we stated earlier Job’s understanding of God was very incomplete as possibly one of the very first books of the Holy Bible. Although, Job classified his dreams and visions as the work of God we now understand that the devil was behind this scare tactic according to Job 2:1-7. Job did not have the luxury of reading Job 2 before he prayed to God, he was forced to base his understanding of God upon his very limited revelation of God. We know that as soon as the devil tricked Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden fear came into the earth.-Refer Genesis 3:1-10 particularly verse 10. The enemy uses these bad dreams, commonly known as nightmares, to produce fear in man. The presence of fear instills torment as recorded in 1 John 4:18
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear: because fear hath torment. He that feareth is not made perfect in love. KJV
Fear does not just introduce torment but it is the very essence of torment. Fear is the ingredient of torment. This is why the enemy uses this fear to impose his will. The spirit of fear is the anti-God spirit. When one is given over to fear they are directly under the influence of the evil one. Since we have identified two sources of dreams and visions we will now bring up the obvious third source. Although listed third, please do not place the source of God as the lesser in priority because God gives the greatest (highest) form of dreams and visions. We showed in the Book of Job that the evil one can and does inspire dreams but that same book of Job reveals that God also imparts dreams.
Job 33:14-18
14 For God speaketh once, yea twice, yet man perceiveth it not.
15 In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falleth upon men, in slumberings upon the bed;
16 Then he openeth the ears of men, and sealeth their instruction,
17 That he may withdraw man from his purpose, and hide pride from man.
18 He keepeth back his soul from the pit, and his life from perishing by the sword. KJV
In this account of Job both dreams and visions can be the voice of God. We must note that when verse 14 states, “that God speaks” the bible student has to know that the voice of God is not always audible. Those who commonly think of speaking generally attach the concept of speaking in an audible language. However, with God His Voice is imprinted on the pages of the Holy Bible. Therefore, the verses of God written in the New Testament is God speaking to you for this dispensation. Just as much as some verses in the Old Testament were written to the saints of the Old Testament. Since God’s Voice is Spirit, the Voice of the Lord also brings peace according to Colossians 3:15
And let the peace of God rule in your hearts, to the which also ye are called in one body; and be ye thankful. KJV
Although the voice of God is the written word of God there will be times when the voice of God may be heard audibly as shown in the case with Samuel, the Prophet. Although we may hear God with our physical ears it is not common for the New Testament believer. In the Old Testament it was more acceptable (common) to hear from God through their physical senses because their spirit was not born-again. Observe Samuel learning to hear from God when he was first starting his own ministry apart from Eli, the Priest.
1 Samuel 3:4-11
4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.
5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou calledst me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.
6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.
7 Now Samuel did not yet know the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.
8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for thou didst call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.
9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he call thee, that thou shalt say, Speak, LORD; for thy servant heareth. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.
10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for thy servant heareth.
11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that heareth it shall tingle. KJV
Remember that in this Old Testament example Samuel had to learn the voice of the Lord. We can also see that the voice of the Lord can sound very similar to someone you know and respect. Very often the Lord will use a voice that you are familiar with to help get your attention and bring creditability to the content that you are hearing. Just like an earthly father can have his will communicated to his son through the voice of his wife. Our Heavenly Father can use the voice of one of His servants to communicate His will to one of His beloved children. The voice of the Lord can also be described as a still small voice, like in 1 Kings 19:11-13
11 And he said, Go forth, and stand upon the mount before the LORD. And, behold, the LORD passed by, and a great and strong wind rent the mountains, and brake in pieces the rocks before the LORD; but the LORD was not in the wind: and after the wind an earthquake; but the LORD was not in the earthquake:
12 And after the earthquake a fire; but the LORD was not in the fire: and after the fire a still small voice.
13 And it was so, when Elijah heard it, that he wrapped his face in his mantle, and went out, and stood in the entering in of the cave. And, behold, there came a voice unto him, and said, What doest thou here, Elijah? KJV
This is a second reference that the Lord would often speak to the children of Israel externally. Whether it was a prophet, priest, judge or king the Lord had a history of revealing Himself to His servant (The man or woman of God) that was leading or counseling His people. Notice in this example that the Lord was not in the wind, nor the earthquake, nor the fire. This shows us that even though spectacular things are happening right around us it does not mean that God is speaking to us by what we observe or feel. We also notice in both these accounts that the Lord speaks our language. This means that God will tell you something that you can understand. When we use the term understand we are emphasizing that the Lord is very practical. The Lord will not speak to you in a foreign language but rather your own language. The Lord will also attempt to speak to you according to your own level of knowledge (how well you know God). Notice that although the Lord is infinitely smart and intelligent He will not use words that are beyond your comprehension. We may not always believe the words spoken to our heart from God but we can understand His Words if we choose to believe His voice. The Lord does not waste words on idle chitchat. He is a God of purpose that specifically speaks what is required and/or necessary for our development in Christ. With that being said we can conclude that the Lord speaks very clearly to our heart but we must be willing to spend the proper amount of time with God to fully grasp all that He is speaking to our heart. Sometimes the things of God may seem confusing or astonishing but that is only when we cloud God’s Word with our own human reasoning and unbelief. God’s Word is written openly so that even a child can understand Him, if they will to. Even little children understand that God loves them and Jesus died for their sins but if an adult does not believe that Jesus died for their own personal sins their unbelief will complicate the simplicity of the Holy Bible. This must be discussed at an introductory level because when the Lord speaks it may be recorded in the Holy Bible as a vision.
Habakkuk 2:1-3
1 I will stand upon my watch, and set me upon the tower, and will watch to see what he will say unto me, and what I shall answer when I am reproved.
2 And the LORD answered me, and said, Write the vision, and make it plain upon tables, that he may run that readeth it.
3 For the vision is yet for an appointed time, but at the end it shall speak, and not lie: though it tarry, wait for it; because it will surely come, it will not tarry. KJV
Visions can be described as expressions from God. Sometimes the expression can be written as directions and/or instructions from the Lord as noted in Habakkuk 2:2,3. A vision can also be a still or moving picture from God. Since a vision can be considered a message from God we must use the same guidelines for proving each vision as we do for proving the voice of God. The voice of God is proven by the Word of God, yes line upon line and precept upon precept.
Isaiah 28:5,6,9,10,13
5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,
6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sitteth in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.
9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.
10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:
13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken. KJV
All dreams and visions stand for something, each dream or vision from God speaks about something important and specific to you or your ministry. Therefore, the dream or vision you encounter in picture form is always trying to tell you something and with that in mind we must know how to judge the content of the dream or vision we see. If a picture could be worth a thousand words just image how many words a motion picture could be worth. Now that we have concluded that dreams and vision are sent to you or created by your inner man for a reason we will discuss the intent behind dreams or visions.