Greetings, friends. We’re here today to venture into an intriguing subject that often stirs up deep curiosity and mystifying questions. It’s all about dreams and visions – divine missives or random brain activity?
We’ve all heard tales of individuals who’ve experienced dreams or “visions,” which they took as nothing less than direct communication from the Almighty Himself. While it’s certainly possible, it’s important to approach such claims with a healthy dose of discernment.
The landscape of dreams is complex and eclectic, sometimes teetering on the edges of randomness. It’s easy to fall into the trap of over-interpreting these dream sequences as messages from God, but we must remember – there’s another spiritual entity at work in our world, one who’s quite adept at the art of deception and steering us away from God’s truth. As the Apostle Paul warned us, the enemy can put a veil over the gospel, blinding the minds of unbelievers (2nd Cor 4:3-4). Be aware, too, that sometimes, what may seem to be an “angel of light” could be a deceptive illusion (2nd Cor 11:14). So, how do we ensure we’re not led astray? Simply put, we test everything against the standard of God’s Word, our ultimate and infallible guide.
Let’s now turn our attention to visions. The Bible, in Joel 2:28, prophesies a time when God’s Spirit will be poured out on all flesh. However, this is set to occur only after the restoration of the nation of Israel, a feat that has not yet fully materialized. While there have been instances of both believers and non-believers experiencing divine dreams and visions – think Joseph, Daniel, Pharaoh, and King Nebuchadnezzar – the interpretations came not from human wisdom, but from God Himself (Dan 2:21-22). If you’ve had a dream or vision that you believe came from God, it’s wise to discuss it with other believers and seek godly counsel. Above all, ensure that the interpretation doesn’t contradict God’s Word and His will.
In the New Testament, we see God using a vision to communicate a monumental truth to the Apostle Peter: the gospel is now open to the Gentiles (Acts 10). This event was extraordinary and unique, signifying a new era where race ceased to be a barrier to the gospel’s reach (Gal 3:28-29). The good news was for all, regardless of nationality. While such vivid divine interactions might not be commonplace for believers today, for those yet to believe, a dream or vision could serve as the first stepping-stone toward Christ. Stories abound of individuals with no prior exposure to the Bible or Christian witness, who’ve had dreams about Jesus, and these include Muslims and Buddhists. They testify about an overwhelming sense of love and radiant light emanating from Jesus.
So, can God still use dreams and visions? Without a doubt. He is God – He can, and He will use any means He sees fit to reach someone with the gospel. However, always be cautious. If your dream or vision is suggesting something contrary to God’s Word, you can be sure it’s not from Him. Remember, Jesus will move heaven and earth to reach a lost soul, but we must also ensure that we aren’t swayed by deceptive influences. Weigh everything against Scripture, and if it aligns, perhaps God is communicating something to you through a non-traditional channel. After all, He is God – unlimited in ways we can only begin to fathom.
