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1. God promised to speak to His 12. Vision can come during the act of
prophets in visions (Num. 12:6). prayer (Acts 10:17; 11:5).
3. Where there is no vision the people 1. The purpose of dreams was to reveal
perish (Prov. 29:18). God's will (Gen. 28:12; 31:24; 37:5-
10; 1 Kings 3:5; Matt. 1:20; Matt.
4. It was possible for men to err in their 2:13,19,20).
visions (Isa. 28:7 cf. Jer. 14:14).
2. Even in the present era of the
5. God's people were called upon to outpouring of the Holy Spirit with a
seek visions from the prophets fuller revelation (2 Cor. 5:7) to guide
(Ezek. 7:26). the believer, the promise of dreams
is given (Acts 2:17).
6. Angels were sometimes used to help
explain a vision (Dan. 8:16-17; 9:21- 3. It is possible for dreams to be
27). corrupted so that the will of a false
god is conveyed. One ancient
7. Visions can produce great emotional practice was to induce religious
distress (Dan. 8:27; 10:16). dreams by incubation or sleeping in
some shrine where the patron god
8. It is possible for one person only to was believed to communicate secrets
have a vision even in the presence of to the sleeper. Herodotus mentions
others (Dan. 10:1,7,8). this practice among the Egyptian sect
known as the Hasamonians (Herod
9. The absence of visions was IV. p. 172, ed. A.D. Godley). The
considered to be a form of divine Lord warned against false dreamers
judgment (Mic. 3:6). (Jer. 23:25,27; 29:8; Zech. 10:2) and
pointed out that normal desires such
10. The prophet Joel predicted that as hunger and thirst can produce
visions were to be found during the dreams (Isa. 29:8).
New Testament era (Joel 2:28 cf. 4. God promised to speak to the
Acts 2:17). prophets in dreams (Num. 12:6), but
even they had to be tested (Deut.
13:1-5).
11. The appearance of the angels to the
women on the morning of Christ's
5. The absence of dreams was
considered to be a form of divine Saul was alarmed when discovered
discipline (1 Sam. 28:6,15). would happen in battle through a
vision (1 Samuel 28:15).
6. As there a danger in the absence of
dreams there is also a danger in the 3. God can use dreams to warn about
multitude of dreams (Eccles. 5:7) for unseen dangers.
it is possible that foolish whims will
be insisted upon as requirement of The wise men were told to return to
worshippers. their country another way than the
one in which they came (Matt. 2:12).
7. Thirteen people in the Bible are
credited with specific dreams. Joseph was warned to take Mary and
Eleven people are noted in the Old Jesus into Egypt (Matt. 2:13).
Testament while two are listed in the
New Testament. 4. Dreams can give instruction of the
will of God as Joseph discovered
A Dreamer of Dreams (Matt. 1:20-21).
Abimelech Genesis 20:3,6
Jacob Genesis 28:12; 5. Dreams can provide guidance that
31:10,11 will stop sinful actions.
Laban Genesis 31:24
Joseph Genesis 37:5-10 King Abimelech did not harm Sarah
Pharaoh's Butler Genesis 40:5 because of a dream he had (Gen.
Pharaoh's Baker Genesis 40:5 20:3-9).
Pharaoh Genesis 41:7-8,
15-22 Laban did not harm Jacob because of
A Man from Midian Judges 7:13 a dream (Gen. 31:24).
Solomon 1 Kings 3:5,15
Nebuchadnezzar Daniel 2:3; 4:5-9 Pilate was warned not to hurt Jesus
Daniel Daniel 7:1 (Matt. 27:19) but he did anyway
Joseph Matthew 1:20; under duress.
2:12-22
6. God can use dreams to induce
Pilate's Wife Matthew 27:19
humility as He did with
Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 4:5,9,34,37).
~*~
7. Dreams can preserve our souls from
Seven Accomplishments of a Dream
the pit of depression and despair as
or Vision from God
Ezekiel's vision gave hope to the
children of Israel (Ezek. 1:1 cf. Psa.
1. Dreams can provide Divine answers
126:1-3; 127:2).
to our questions though the answers may
comfort or alarm.
"There is no pit so deep that God's
love is not deeper still."
Gideon was comforted by the
revelation he discovered through a
~*~
dream (Judges 7:9-11).
Corrie Ten Boom 4. False dreams and visions are
discouraging (Zech. 10:2).
How to Identify False Dreams and
Visions 5. False dreams and visions are
unproductive (Jer. 23:22).
1. False dreams and visions do exist (2
Pet. 2:1-3; Deut. 13:1-3). 6. False dreams and visions are
destructive (Jer. 23:32).
2. False dreamers and false prophets
who share their visions are greedy. ~*~
They want power, fame, wealth,
attention, loyalty, and service and Six Important Questions
God HATES them (Jer. 23:16, 25-
27; 28:8-9). 1. Do the dreams and visions lead me
to Jesus Christ and fill me with love
3. False dreams and visions have two for His church?
things in common (Matt. 7:15-16).
2. Do these dreams and visions
Deception. The specific sign of promote righteousness and purity in
deception is that what they see or my life?
dream leads others away from Christ.
The classic examples of this are the 3. Do these dreams and visions align
visions of Joseph Smith (Gal. 1:6-9). themselves with the clear and
emphatic teachings of Scripture?
Discord. Because light cannot have
fellowship with darkness and Satan 4. Do these dreams and visions
cannot have fellowship with Christ strengthen my faith and fill me with
there will be conflict. the sense of a noble destiny and an
honorable purpose in life?
4. Those who are exposed as false are to
be dealt with severely (Deut. 13:1-3). 5. Do these dreams and visions turn me
from sin and selfishness to seek the
~*~ Lord and serve Him in faithfulness
Six Ways to Recognize False Dreams and love?
and Visions
6. Do these dreams and visions build up
1. False dreams and visions are the body of Christ and equip
seductive as they promise glory or believers to do the work of the
produce terror (Jer. 23:16). ministry?
10. A spiritual appeal (Acts 16:9). Personal dreams are those in which
a word from God is received to
11. The way of salvation explained comfort or instruct.
(Acts 26:19).
Prophetic dreams are those through
12. Some of the mysteries of heaven which the Lord works to speak a
unfolded (Rev. 9:17). word to others.
2. On the road to Damascus, Paul had 12. Paul told Galatians and the
his own vision of Christ (Acts 9:1-9). Ephesians that he received his
understanding of the gospel by
3. In some way the Holy Spirit means of revelation (Gal. 1:12; Eph.
communicated to the prophets and 3:1-6).
teachers at Antioch that Barnabas
and Saul were to be set apart for 13. When Paul appeared before Nero,
service (Acts 13:1-3). he may have seen a vision of Jesus
standing in the palace hall with him
4. While at Antioch, Paul was stoned (2 Tim. 4:16-17).
and left for dead. During the ordeal
he had a vision of heaven (Acts 14. As Paul had dreams and visions, so
14:19- 20 cf. 2 Cor. 11:25). did others such as Peter and
Cornelius (Acts 10:1-6; 12:16-11).
5. While he was at Troas, Paul had a
vision of a man from Macedonia ~*~
appealing for help (Acts 16:9).
Practical Suggestions in order to
6. When he stayed at the house of a Obtain a Dream from God
man named Justus in the city of
Corinth, Paul had a vision that many
souls would be saved (Acts 18:7-11). 1. Set the heart upon God (Psa. 25:14;
Jer. 15:19).
7. While in the city of Jerusalem
praying in the holy temple, Paul fell 2. Repent of wrong attitudes towards
into a trance and received a message the gifts of God.
from God (Acts 22:18).
3. Saturate the heart with scripture (2
8. After being arrested in Damascus, Tim. 2:15).
Paul saw the Lord in a night vision
(Acts 23:11). 4. Have a close relationship with the
church and pastor in order to be
9. During an ocean voyage that became accountable and balanced (1 Cor.
life threatening, an appeared to Paul 2:16; 13:9).
in a dream stating that no one would
be hurt (Acts 27:12-26).
5. Ask the Lord by faith to speak to the
heart in order that HE might be
glorified (Luke 11:9-13).
~*~