Dreams...

[Sword_of_the_Spirit]

Hey everyone! I know that EVERYONE dreams, and most of those dreams come from stuff we may have done earlier in the day, etc. (even though some of them may be weird, off-the-wall dreams). I guess what I'm trying to ask is what is the significance of dreaming in Christian life? Is this a way that God speaks to us, like he did in the Bible? Or is it just our imagination running wild?

The reason I ask is because when I have dreams about Jesus coming back or about my life as a Christian, they seem to take on a higher significance; they seem more real. For example, when I first accepted Jesus as my Savior, (about 13 years ago) I dreamt that he was with me on top of a huge cliff overlooking millions of people below. Behind us were thousands of believers, we were all quiet and at peace. In contrast, the millions that were below were noisy and shouting obscenities our way. I remember being a little worried because it looked like we would have to do battle with them or something. I didn't really see what Jesus looked like, I just knew it was Him and he wore white robes as He stood next to me. He told me that I should be calm because I was a general in the Army of Righteousness...and the dream ended.

I had another short dream a few months after that about the Rapture. I had a dream that Jesus came back in the clouds just like the Bible said He would, but instead of being caught up in the clouds, I tried to pack my things...Jesus told me that I would not need anything where I was going and that's where that dream ended.

I try not to dwell on my dreams too much because I'd rather dwell on the Word of God. In fact, I really don't believe too much in dream interpretations, etc. But I have remembered these dreams until now and once in a while I will think about their significance. I know that 99% of my other dreams are just crazy and are more than likely derived from the day's adventures...but these particular dreams seemed to be of some importance for me to remember them for that long...does anyone have an opinion on this? Are there any verses in the Bible that might help when it comes to this subject?

 

[inHisgrip]

I do not have any verses to back up what I will say, but I do think God will speak to us in our dreams if He chooses to. I recently had a dream in which I know it was God giving me direction in my life.
In him

 

[HumbleBee]

Salute SotS!

Believe strongly in Christian dream interpretation! God certainly continues to give people dreams of significance...for warning, encouragement, edification and guidance, much as He did in the Bible both in OT & NT. This verse confirmation...

Acts 2:17 In the last days, God says, I will pour out My Spirit on all people.
Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams.

As for your dreams...being on the mountain looking at all the people, some against Jesus and you...thess Bible verses would apply...

2 Kings 6:16-17 "Don't be afraid," the prophet answered. "Those who are with us are more than those who are with them." And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

Psalm 91:7 A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you. (Read the whole Psalm 91, even Psalms 18 and 144 are warfare Psalms.)

The dream of Jesus coming back and you trying to pack...here are some more applicable verses...

Matthew 6:19-21, 24 Do not store up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy, and where thieves break in and steal. But store up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where moth and rust do not destroy, and where thieves do not break in and steal. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also...No one can serve two masters. Either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other. You cannot serve both God and Money.

Matthew 24:17-18 Let no one on the roof of his house go down to take anything out of the house. Let no one in the field go back to get his cloak.

1 Timothy 6:7-10, 17-19 For we brought nothing into the world, and we can take nothing out of it. But if we have food and clothing, we will be content with that. People who want to get rich fall into temptation and a trap and into many foolish and harmful desires that plunge men into ruin and destruction. For the love of money is a root of all kinds of evil. Some people, eager for money, have wandered from the faith and pierced themselves with many griefs...Command those who are rich in this present world not to be arrogant nor to put their hope in wealth, which is so uncertain, but to put their hope in God, who richly provides us with everything for our enjoyment. Command them to do good, to be rich in good deeds, and to be generous and willing to share. In this way they will lay up treasure for themselves as a firm foundation for the coming age, so that they may take hold of the life that is truly life.

As for JESUS exhorting that you are a general in the Army of Righteousness! Zowwwwwwwwwwie! Tiz certainly a high calling to take very seriously!

1 Corinthians 9:24-27 Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it. And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air. But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Here's a link about past generals...would be wise to learn from their defeats and glean insight from their victories!

http://www.godsgenerals.org/

This link is a dream interpretation thread that I opened...many dreams posted there with powerful Divine messages! All glory to God Most High!

http://www.christianforums.com/t696518

 

[Sword_of_the_Spirit]

Wow! Thank you for your words...I didn't realize how much the dreams really hit home until you gave me those verses from the Bible.

The verse you gave me from Kings is exactly how I felt in the dream! I don't think I've even read Kings yet, but I'll definitely read it now!

inHisgrip - What kind of dream was it, if you don't mind me asking?

Thank you again and praise the Lord for leading me to this forum!

 

[inHisgrip]

I have been having some issues with my old pastor and some things he said as we left the church. We have recently started thinking of returning and it has been heavily on my heart to speak to him about what had been said. I am a little fearful of talking to him as I have a temper sometimes.
My dream was of me sitting in the church with my pastor and he had his arm around me. I felt that I was in God's house with my pastor and was very uncomfortable. Things that should never go together. It was for me confirmation that I needed to talk with him so that we can return and have a healthy, forgiving relationship.
I also called the church to find out about small groups and see what they had going on and discovered that the pastor is now heading all that up. I believe that God really desires for me to speak to this man so that I can release any bitterness and unforgiveness I have in my heart.
Please pray for this as I am very nervous about it.
Thanks,
In Him

 

[shawn_h76]

Hello humblebee,

I too have had some weird dreams.
About five years ago, (when I was aout 10 years old), before I even knew who Jesus was i have about 5-10 dreams of Jesus dieing on the cross. IT was amazing. I didnt know who Jesus was, or even what the bible was. Recently, i have been saved and have been having some new dreams. I had one dream where, I was running with Jesus(although i didnt see him, i knew it was him) and people where trying to stone us. I also has an intense dream on the rapture. In the rapture(in my dream), we were going in the air ;it smelled like roses and their were literally billions of colors. My friend told me I shouln't pay attention to my dreams, that they don't mean anything.

 

[Sword_of_the_Spirit]

I have been having some issues with my old pastor and some things he said as we left the church. We have recently started thinking of returning and it has been heavily on my heart to speak to him about what had been said. I am a little fearful of talking to him as I have a temper sometimes.
My dream was of me sitting in the church with my pastor and he had his arm around me. I felt that I was in God's house with my pastor and was very uncomfortable. Things that should never go together. It was for me confirmation that I needed to talk with him so that we can return and have a healthy, forgiving relationship.
I also called the church to find out about small groups and see what they had going on and discovered that the pastor is now heading all that up. I believe that God really desires for me to speak to this man so that I can release any bitterness and unforgiveness I have in my heart.
Please pray for this as I am very nervous about it.
Thanks,
In Him

Wow...so maybe your dream was God's way of telling you that you had to make things right with your pastor. I believe that it was...keep us updated on the situation, I'll keep you in my prayers!

 

[HumbleBee]

About five years ago, (when I was aout 10 years old), before I even knew who Jesus was i have about 5-10 dreams of Jesus dieing on the cross. IT was amazing. I didnt know who Jesus was, or even what the bible was. Recently, i have been saved and have been having some new dreams. I had one dream where, I was running with Jesus(although i didnt see him, i knew it was him) and people where trying to stone us. I also has an intense dream on the rapture. In the rapture(in my dream), we were going in the air ;it smelled like roses and their were literally billions of colors. My friend told me I shouln't pay attention to my dreams, that they don't mean anything.

Obviously, by the significant messages of these dreams, you should heed them and your becoming a Christian, shows you did! (Do exercise discernment in sifting dream wheat from dream chaff through Bible study.) Your running with Jesus and not seeing Him, speaks about living by faith not by sight. A race is a metaphor for the Christian life, as much training and discipline be required to 'run' well spiritually and victoriously! Christ is with you always even if you don't feel His presence and certainly stands by your side in the midst of persecution (people trying to stone...). As for smelling roses, Jesus is called the Rose of Sharon, He likened to be a Rose of all roses, because of the sweetness of His great love and selfless sacrifice for the world! Have read about others seeing a vast kaleidscope of colors in heaven!

Joshua 1:9 Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.

2 Corinthians 5:7 ...live by faith, not by sight.

Hebrews 12:1-3 Therefore, since...surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses...throw off everything that hinders and the sin that so easily entangles, and...run with perseverance the race marked out for [you]...fix [your] eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of [your] faith, who for the joy set before Him endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God. Consider Him who endured such opposition from sinful men, so that you will not grow weary and lose heart.

 

[Asar'el]

Dreams can be powerful, it is true; and God can, and does indeed, communicate at times through the visions of the night.

However, not all dreams are God's message, and great care must be taken before attributing too much to a dream!

We have a sure word - the bible. If you need answers, look there for them.

I am not suggesting dreams should be discounted - far from it! - but, rather, that no dream is of authority, especially when it seems to contradict the word of God!