Tim Maas Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

The Bible records multiple instances in both the Old and New Testaments where dreams (or visions, which were, in essence, "waking dreams" that occurred in a trancelike state (Acts 10:9-16)) were a means by which God communicated information to people.

Those who experienced them included Abraham (Genesis 15:1); Abimilech (Genesis 20:1-7); Jacob (Genesis 28:10-17); Joseph (Jacob's son) (Genesis 37:1-11); Pharaoh's cupbearer and baker (Genesis 40); Pharaoh himself (Genesis 41); Samuel (1 Samuel 3); the Midianite and Amalekite armies (Judges 7:12-15); Solomon (1 Kings 3:5-14); Daniel (Daniel 2; Daniel 4); Joseph (the husband of Mary) (Matthew 1:20; Matthew 2:13; Matthew 2:19-20; Matthew 2:22); the wise men who traveled to Judea to see Jesus (Matthew 2:12); Pilate's wife (Matthew 27:19); Ananias (Acts 9:10-16); Cornelius (Acts 10-1-8); Peter (Acts 10:9-16); Paul (Acts 16:9-10; Acts 18:9-11; 2 Corinthians 12:1-6); and John (Revelation 1:10, as well as the rest of Revelation).

The meaning or significance of these dreams or visions was not always immediately clear to those who experienced them, but, if it was not, God made their meaning clear, either through interpretation by a third party, or through subsequent events that occurred.

God used these dreams or visions for such diverse purposes as to reveal information that people needed to know; to indicate future events; to pronounce judgment; as a means of warning; to reassure people of His presence and protection; to protect Israel from its enemies;, to indicate His will for the church; and to strengthen an individual's faith.

While the above accounts clearly indicate God's ability to communicate by dreams (which He would still possess up to the present day, just as He can also speak through events in a person's life), Christians now have God's complete revelation in the Bible, which (in my opinion) should be their first and primary source for insight into God's nature, and (along with prayer) about God's will for their lives.

December 23 2016 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report