Did you know that Julius Caesar’s wife had a dream that foretold her husband’s tragic death? In 312 AD, Constantine dreamed about Jesus dying on the cross and as a result, provided protection for Christians through the Edict of Milan. Einstein’s theory of relativity came from a dream, and Handel composed Messiah after he heard it in a dream. Fantastic? Yes!
Author and speaker, John Paul Jackson, has taught a lot on the subject of dreaming with God. He notes that we will spend a third of our lives sleeping, and by the time we are 70 years old, at least six years of that time will be in dreamland.
The Bible has many accounts of God speaking to people in dreams and visions. Jackson says there are 224 references in Scripture, and it comprises a whopping third of the Bible!
For example, Abraham knew about the future 400-year captivity of God’s people from a dream (Genesis 15: 12-14). Joseph, son of Jacob, was shown that he would rule over his brothers (Genesis 37). Even Nebuchadnezzar, the king of Babylon, was told about future kingdoms through a dream of a great statue. The symbolism ultimately predicted Christ and the triumph of the Kingdom of God over all earthly kingdoms. Daniel, a Hebrew captive, supernaturally knew the content of the dream and what it meant (Daniel 2). Nebuchadnezzar, stunned by the revelation said, “Truly, your God is God of gods and Lord of kings, and a revealer of mysteries, for you have been able to reveal this mystery.” (Daniel 2:47) But these examples barely scratch the surface. Spend some time in the book of Acts to get more!
There is ample biblical evidence of God speaking through dreams and visions. In addition, recorded history contains many accounts of the same. Still countless people believe that dreams and visions—as a means for God’s voice—are far too subjective. Never mind that Scripture teaches us look for these points of contact:
“Indeed God speaks once or twice, yet no one notices it. In a dream, a vision of the night, when sound sleep falls on men while they slumber in their beds, then He opens the ears of men and seals their instruction, that He may turn man aside from his conduct and keep man from pride.” (Job 33:14-17)
Let me tell you a true story. In our church, a man I will call Michael scoffed at the idea of God speaking through a dream. Then one night, he had an amazing dream. (Don’t you just love God!) He saw a ladder coming down from heaven to our town with many angels descending and ascending. The biblical reference of course is Jacob’s ladder. Michael, astonished by the symbolic picture, told our friend Gail who mentioned it to us.
A few weeks later, my husband traveled to London England on business and attended an evening service at Holy Trinity Brompton. At the end of the service, the leader invited everyone to come to the front for prayer. A man my husband had never met came forward to pray for him. He said, “I don’t know where you live, but I see tremendous spiritual activity over your city with angels from heaven descending and ascending.” What a confirmation! The story got back to Michael. I wonder if it disrupted his mindset.
The point is God can visit you in your dreams and tell you great and unsearchable things that you did not know. Share your thoughts about it…
oh yes indeedy, susan, i personally know this to be the truth for many believers i’ve fellowshipped with over the years and for myself. i even dreamed the plot for a whole entire book. beginning, middle and end. AND the title. it’s a very complex story with an ending bringing what all creatures need most…hope of everlasting life. i wonder if i’ll ever get the thing written. i know one thing, ONLY with god’s help!! i love your blogs, because they remind us all of the mysterious ways god chooses to communicate with his beloved children. and i appreciate your firsthand stories.
love
suzee B