Visions and dreams 1

Introduction: We have been studying the value of communication in restoration. The prodigal son came to himself in the typical scenario of “restoration” before he started the process of returning to the abandoned resources. Often, we need to be awakened from the norm by divine means before we can find our bearing. Indeed, when man fell, it was not man that went looking for God but the Lord went into the garden and started shouting, “Adam, where are you?” visions and dreams are therefore means of divine direction and instruction for God’s creatures. They are so vital that neglect of them has landed several people in our generation within the gloom of deep darkness and despair. Moreover, Isaiah prophesied that in the last days, light shall shine on the Lord’s people while the earth and the people of the world shall be enveloped in impervious darkness. As many believers have joined the band wagon of cynicism, in a bid to remain “politically correct”, we need to rediscover these all-time important methods of divine leading.
Texts: Daniel 10:4-9; Gen 37: 5-10
1.       What are visions and how do they differ from dreams?
2.       Are they only believers who the Lord speaks to in dreams/visions?
·         Saul, Nebuchadnezzar, Pharaoah, Cornelius (Acts 9:3-6; Dan 2:1; Gen 41:1; Acts 10:2-4)
·         Peter, Paul, John (Acts 10:10,11; 16:9,10; Rev 1:1,2)
3.       What factors prevent visions and dreams?
·         When people ignore them (1Thess 5:19,20)
·         When evil is honoured (1Sam 3:1; Ps 74:8,9)
Proliferation of rumours (Ezek 7:26)
·         When God has rejected a person (1 Sam 28:6)
4.       What is the scope of visions and dreams?
·         Dispensational (Joel 2:28)
·         Occupation (Gen 40:9-13)
·         Warning about our attitude ( Gen 31:24; Dan 4:33)
·         Prediction of events (Gen 41:28; Gen 37:5-10)
·         Supernatural insight  (Acts 10:13-15)
·         Direction for decision-making (Acts 16:10; Matt 2:19,20)
It is important that we are desensitised about the mystery of visions and dreams as they are the basic mechanisms the Lord uses to speak with His children. Life is not meant to be lived groping in darkness. Those who do not believe in God have every reason to do so by trial and error; but being children of Light, we must project a different pattern of life-filled with certainty.

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