What purpose do dreams serve in modern day?

[another_lost_guy]

I am absolutely convinced that God still uses dreams to talk to us. We know that God has used dreams to communicate in the past: Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 40:8, Daniel 2:19-22, Joel 2:28, Matthew 1:20, etc;.

But it seems to me that dreams are often dismissed as purely random or a mere recollection of daily events. I have never heard the topic of dreams discussed at any of the churches I have went to. I have not seen any discussion about dreams on Christian youtube channels either, really. Why is this? Has anyone had a profoundly "coincidental" dream before that ended up coming true? How does one gain Joseph's skill of dream interpretation?

 

[Maria Billingsley]

I am absolutely convinced that God still uses dreams to talk to us. We know that God has used dreams to communicate in the past: Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 40:8, Daniel 2:19-22, Joel 2:28, Matthew 1:20, etc;.

But it seems to me that dreams are often dismissed as purely random or a mere recollection of daily events. I have never heard the topic of dreams discussed at any of the churches I have went to. I have not seen any discussion about dreams on Christian youtube channels either, really. Why is this? Has anyone had a profoundly "coincidental" dream before that ended up coming true? How does one gain Joseph's skill of dream interpretation?

Dreams are woefully unreliable and there are plenty of charlatans claiming to be interpreters. In regards to developing skills like Joseph, I don't believe there is any way to do this other than our Father actually granting the gift to someone.
Blessings

 

[2PhiloVoid]

I am absolutely convinced that God still uses dreams to talk to us. We know that God has used dreams to communicate in the past: Genesis 37:5-11, Genesis 40:8, Daniel 2:19-22, Joel 2:28, Matthew 1:20, etc;.

But it seems to me that dreams are often dismissed as purely random or a mere recollection of daily events. I have never heard the topic of dreams discussed at any of the churches I have went to. I have not seen any discussion about dreams on Christian youtube channels either, really. Why is this? Has anyone had a profoundly "coincidental" dream before that ended up coming true? How does one gain Joseph's skill of dream interpretation?

How does one gain Joseph's "skill" of dream interpretation? Answer: Be the right person that God has specifically decided to use for His purpose at the right time.

Apparently, where dreams are concerned, I'm not that person. But I'm ok with that.

 

[Dreyma]

I agree with the two folks above.

I find dreams very interesting and enjoy journaling about them from time to time, but I've accepted that they don't mean much of anything. If they serve any purpose, it's to highlight what I'm thinking about and what media I'm consuming during waking hours. Those things tend to be reflected in your dreams.

My username actually comes from the Icelandic word for dream, so I share your fascination!

 

[another_lost_guy]

I will give a somber anecdote to support the idea that dreams reveal the future. My girlfriend and I used to share our dreams to each other. I just remembered a dream that she had shared nearly one year before she passed away. I even have the dream in text, so I'm not filling the blanks in. She wrote: "I dreamed that I was running late to catch a train but I made it, then when I got off my stop I realized I wasn't wearing any shoes". Some background: when she had this dream, she was not a Christian. Neither of us really knew what to make of this dream at the time, but I am almost certain I know what the dream was about now. She became a believer late into her life, and only got baptized 4 months before he passing. Almost exactly a year after having this dream, she was running late while biking to work and wasn't paying attention to her surroundings, as she had earbuds in and was listening to music. It was the worst day of my life. She passed away that day, but I take solace that it was likely instant and she did not expect it coming. Her mother told me she was excited to see me that day, as I lived 3 hours away from her. I take comfort in that God gave her a merciful death. I interpret the "running late" to mean both that she was running late to work and that she was running late to salvation. I believe the train in the dream revealed what would happen to her. As for not wearing any shoes: I think it is profound that she only realized she was missing the shoes after she had caught the train. She wouldn't need any shoes where she is going (Exodus 3:5). I have also had weird dreams since her passing. We gave each other a stuffed animal named after each other. Just a few days ago I had a dream where the two stuffed animals were sewn together in a crazy Toy Story Sid type of way, it was a little scary. The part of my stuffed animal was missing a left hand, though, and the stuffing was visible. I think this means that we will be one flesh in heaven, I will end up with a severed hand one day; or possibly that my hand is causing me to sin, and I should cut it off

 

[another_lost_guy]

Dreams are woefully unreliable and there are plenty of charlatans claiming to be interpreters. In regards to developing skills like Joseph, I don't believe there is any way to do this other than our Father actually granting the gift to someone.
Blessings

How does one gain Joseph's "skill" of dream interpretation? Answer: Be the right person that God has specifically decided to use for His purpose at the right time.

Apparently, where dreams are concerned, I'm not that person. But I'm ok with that.

I agree with the two folks above.

I find dreams very interesting and enjoy journaling about them from time to time, but I've accepted that they don't mean much of anything. If they serve any purpose, it's to highlight what I'm thinking about and what media I'm consuming during waking hours. Those things tend to be reflected in your dreams.

My username actually comes from the Icelandic word for dream, so I share your fascination!

Sometimes I am absolutely convinced of the meaning of dreams and other times the dreams are unclear or random to me, so I believe it is a skill that can be honed.

 

[Richard T]

It is true that dreams can be unrealiable, but there are some criteria that can help you determine which ones are from God or not. First, you are more apt to wake up abruptly. Nightmares do this as well though. If it is fearful or dreading the dream is not likely of God, and most likely it has demonic involvement. When you do wake up, and the meaning is not straightforward, ask God what it means. Any interpretation that does not follow the bible is not God. If the meaning remains a mystery, then simply shelve it. Perhaps one day it will make sense. I have had a couple of this things from God that did not make sense until decades later. Normal dreams come usually during a deeper sleep called "rapid eye movement." If you were only asleep briefly and wake up with a dream I think it is a greater chance also to be from God. Lots of dreams have no real spiritual meaning, many of which you do not even remember. If it is God, or the devil, they will try and put something on your heart. God can be very direct too, no interpretation needed such as the one below.

Matthew 2:12 (ESV)
12 And being warned in a dream not to return to Herod, they departed to their own country by another way.

Alot of dream interpreters use more traditional symbolic meanings. Like a snake means _______. or something similar to that. Non-Christians often do that too though and I personally avoid those type of interpretations. Instead, just ask God, mull it over and see if anything unfolds. Remember too that the Holy Spirit bears witness to true interpretation.

If one does see something that you dread to happen in the future, you may not have to embrace that evil. An example, would be if someone dreamed of a pandemic like Covid. You as an individual may not be able to pray and stop it, however, you can pray for your own personal proetection according to Psalms 91 or another promise of God. If you dream you are sick or have a personal mishap you can pray in advance against it using the word of God. This may also work for you praying for other friends or family.

I will say too that dreams are associated with faith. If you shut God out of dreams (or visions) then spiritually that part might not be very active to you. Read the word though, and if it has happened to others, why not you? Are there promises for this?

Acts 2:17 (ESV)
17 “‘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;