How to Interpret Dreams and Visions

1. Dreams & Visions: God's Promised Communication in the Last Days

And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.

A biblical promise. The Bible explicitly states that in the "last days," a time frame many believe we are currently in, God will pour out His Spirit, resulting in increased prophetic activity, including young people seeing visions and older people dreaming dreams. This is not a historical phenomenon limited to ancient times but a promised manifestation for the generation preceding Christ's return. It signifies God's desire for continued communication with His people.

Beyond the written word. While the Bible is the complete and final written revelation of God, it doesn't mean God has ceased speaking personally to individuals. Dreams and visions, alongside other spiritual gifts, are presented as methods through which the Holy Spirit will convey messages, warnings, and instructions to believers in this era. Dismissing these forms of communication is to potentially ignore a promised work of the Spirit in our time.

A need to understand. Since dreams and visions are prophesied to increase, believers need to be informed about how they function, their potential meanings, and how to interpret them correctly. This understanding is crucial for receiving divine guidance, preparing for future events, and discerning true spiritual messages from other sources.

2. Piercing the Veil: Accessing the Reality of the Spirit World

The spirit world is as real as the air we breathe and the water we drink.

An invisible reality. There exists a spiritual realm, unseen by natural eyes, that is just as real as the physical world. This realm includes God, angels, and demonic spirits. Humanity often struggles to believe in what cannot be physically perceived, leading to skepticism about spiritual manifestations.

The veil lifted. A "veil" covers human understanding and natural sight, preventing constant awareness of the spirit world. This veil can manifest as spiritual dullness, lack of interest, or unbelief. Biblical prophets and individuals who experienced divine encounters often had this veil temporarily lifted, allowing them glimpses into the unseen realm.

Dreams as access points. While awake, the veil is typically in place. However, during sleep, the human spirit can sometimes perceive images through dreams or visions, acting as a potential avenue for receiving information from the heavenly realm. This access is not constant but occurs when God chooses to reveal something.

3. Decoding Symbolism: Understanding the Language of Spiritual Revelation

We humans have difficulty interpreting the meanings of a spiritual dream or vision, as they often contain unique or unusual symbolism.

Symbolic language. Spiritual dreams and visions frequently employ symbolism rather than plain language. This can make interpretation challenging, leading some to dismiss them as mere products of the subconscious or external factors like diet. However, symbolism is a consistent feature of biblical prophecy and divine communication.

Biblical dictionary. Understanding the symbolism often requires referencing the Bible itself. The "law of first mention" suggests that the initial biblical context of an object, number, or color can set a pattern for its meaning throughout Scripture. Examples include:

• Serpent: Represents Satan or an adversary (Gen 3, Rev 20)
• Water: Can symbolize the Holy Spirit (John 7)
• Numbers: Four (earthly), Six (man), Seven (completion/perfection), Forty (testing)
• Colors: Blue (heavenly), Purple (royalty), Red (redemption), White (righteousness)

Why symbolism? God may use symbolism for various reasons, including:

• To distinguish spiritual dreams from ordinary ones.
• To conceal meaning from those not meant to understand (like Pharaoh's wise men or Roman captors).
• To require seeking and study ("It is the glory of God to conceal a matter, but the glory of kings is to search out a matter" - Prov 25:2).

4. Discerning the Source: Not All Nightly Experiences Are Divine

When I say, “My bed will comfort me, my couch will ease my complaint,” then You scare me with dreams and terrify me with visions.

Multiple dream sources. Not every dream is a spiritual message from God. Dreams can stem from:

• The subconscious: Processing daily thoughts, fears, or experiences (e.g., watching violent movies leading to nightmares).
• Physical factors: Illness, diet, or discomfort (e.g., eating heavy food before bed).
• Demonic influence: Evil spirits can attempt to torment or deceive through nightmares or "dirty dreams" (Job 7:13-14).

Nightmares and dirty dreams. Troubling or vile dreams can be particularly distressing. While sometimes linked to psychological factors, they can also be spiritual attacks. Praying before sleep, setting a peaceful atmosphere (e.g., with worship music), and renewing the mind with Scripture can help counter negative spiritual influences during sleep.

False prophets and dreams. The Bible warns against false prophets who claim to have dreams or visions from God but speak lies or promote agendas contrary to Scripture (Jeremiah 23:25-27). Discernment is crucial; a dream's message must align with the Word of God and bear good fruit.

5. Warning Dreams: Prayer Can Intercede and Alter Outcomes

So I sought for a man among them who would make a wall, and stand in the gap before Me on behalf of the land, that I should not destroy it; but I found no one.

Warnings precede judgment. In both biblical history and personal experience, God often sends warnings before impending danger or judgment. These warnings can come through dreams or visions, not to instill fear, but to prepare and prompt intercession.

Prayer can change things. A warning dream is not necessarily a fixed, unchangeable future. Just as Abraham interceded for Sodom or Moses prayed for Israel, prayer can "stand in the gap" and potentially alter or prevent a negative outcome. The story of King Hezekiah, whose life was extended by fifteen years after prayer (2 Kings 20), is a powerful example.

Personal and national. Warning dreams can be for individuals, families, or even nations. While national warnings may have set timeframes, personal warnings often provide an opportunity for the dreamer or others to pray and seek God's intervention or protection. Ignoring a warning dream without prayer can lead to missed opportunities for divine intervention.

6. The Power of Intuition: Heeding Spiritual Discernment, Especially from Trusted Voices

While he was sitting on the judgment seat, his wife sent to him, saying, “Have nothing to do with that just Man, for I have suffered many things today in a dream because of Him.”

Beyond logic. Spiritual discernment and intuition often operate beyond purely rational thought. While men may tend towards logic, women are often created with a heightened sense of intuition and spiritual sensitivity. Pilate's wife's warning dream about Jesus (Matthew 27:19) is a notable biblical example of this.

Listen to your spouse. A godly, praying spouse can be a valuable source of spiritual insight, including through dreams or strong inner promptings. Dismissing a spouse's intuition or warning dream simply because it doesn't fit one's own logical framework can lead to missing God's guidance or protection. Personal stories, like the author's father and himself heeding warning dreams from women, highlight the importance of this.

Discernment is key. While valuing intuition, it must be weighed against Scripture and confirmed by other spiritual indicators. Not every feeling or dream is from God, and fleshly emotions like jealousy should not be mistaken for spiritual discernment. Trusted counsel from mature believers can also help validate or question perceived insights.

7. Dreams of the Departed: Comfort, Hope, and Rare Premonitions

We are confident, yes, well pleased rather to be absent from the body and to be present with the Lord.

Memories and comfort. Dreaming of departed loved ones is common and often stems from the subconscious processing of grief and cherished memories. For believers, these dreams can bring comfort, reminding them that the departed are "present with the Lord" (2 Corinthians 5:8) and are not truly gone but in paradise.

Divine encounters. On rare occasions, God may sovereignly allow a departed believer to appear in a dream or vision to a loved one. These instances are not initiated by human effort (like necromancy, which is forbidden) but by God's purpose. Reasons may include:

• Bringing comfort or confirmation of their well-being.
• Providing encouragement or reinforcing faith.
• Giving hope for future reunion in the resurrection.

Premonitions of death. In some rare cases, particularly with older saints nearing the end of their lives, dreams or visions of departed loved ones may serve as a premonition, indicating that their time to "come home" is approaching. This is distinct from a tormenting dream of death and is often accompanied by peace.

8. The Law of the Double Dream: God's Confirmation of Certainty

And the dream was repeated to Pharaoh twice because the thing is established by God, and God will shortly bring it to pass.

Established by God. The biblical principle, highlighted in Joseph's interpretation of Pharaoh's dreams (Genesis 41:32), is that when a dream is repeated twice, it signifies that the event is firmly established by God and will come to pass relatively soon. This "double dream" serves as a divine confirmation, removing doubt about the dream's source and certainty.

Biblical precedent. This principle aligns with other biblical patterns where repetition signifies certainty or emphasis:

• God calling a name twice (e.g., "Abraham, Abraham," "Samuel, Samuel," "Saul, Saul") often precedes a major transition or divine intervention.
• The requirement for two or three witnesses to establish a fact in legal matters (Deuteronomy 19:15).

A rare occurrence. While many spiritual dreams occur only once, a repeated dream carries significant weight. It's a clear sign that the message is not random but a confirmed revelation from God. Such dreams warrant serious attention and prayerful consideration, as their fulfillment is imminent.

9. Angelic Encounters: Messengers Appearing in Dreams and Visions

Then he dreamed, and behold, a ladder was set up on the earth, and its top reached to heaven; and there the angels of God were ascending and descending upon it.

Divine messengers. Angels are spirit beings who serve as messengers and ministers of God. They have appeared throughout biblical history in various forms, including in dreams and visions (Genesis 28:12). Their appearances are always under God's authority and for His purposes.

Appearance in dreams. While angels in heavenly visions can appear in glorious or complex forms (like cherubim or seraphim), in dreams or earthly visitations, they often appear in human form, typically masculine. This may be to prevent overwhelming the human recipient (Daniel 10:7-9). They may address the person as "son" or "servant," indicating their divine commission.

Messages align with Scripture. A true angelic messenger from God will never contradict the Bible. Any alleged angelic revelation that introduces new doctrines, promotes redemption outside of Christ, or leads away from biblical truth is a counterfeit, possibly a deceptive spirit masquerading as an "angel of light" (2 Corinthians 11:14).

10. God's Voice Today: Multiple Ways He Still Speaks Personally

For God may speak in one way, or in another, Yet man does not perceive it.

Beyond audible voice. God communicates with His people in multiple ways beyond just the written Word or an audible voice. While some may not perceive it, God is continually speaking. Understanding these methods is vital for a dynamic walk with Him.

Methods of divine communication:

• Conscience: The Holy Spirit convicts and guides through our inner sense of right and wrong (1 Timothy 4:2).
• Inner Spirit: Strong feelings, burdens, or intuitive promptings felt deep within can be the Holy Spirit leading or warning (Romans 8:14).
• Wise Counsel: God can use godly advisors to provide direction, confirmation, or warning (Proverbs 11:14).
• Vocal Gifts: The Holy Spirit operates through gifts like prophecy, tongues, and interpretation of tongues to edify, exhort, and comfort the church (1 Corinthians 14:3).
• Dreams and Visions: As discussed, these are specific biblical methods for conveying instructions, warnings, and insights, especially promised for the last days (Acts 2:17).

11. The Purpose: God's Plan, Place, Provision, and Your Destiny

For I know the thoughts that I think toward you, says the Lord, thoughts of peace and not of evil, to give you a future and a hope.

God's good thoughts. God has a plan for each individual, a future filled with hope, not harm (Jeremiah 29:11). This plan is often revealed progressively, not all at once. Dreams and visions can be part of this revelation process, unveiling aspects of God's intentions.

The divine sequence. Understanding God's purpose often follows a sequence:

• The Plan: God initiates a course of action or reveals a step He wants you to take (Genesis 22:1-2).
• The Place: God directs you to a specific location where His plan will unfold (Genesis 22:3-4).
• The Provision: At the appointed place, God provides what is needed to fulfill the plan, often in unexpected ways (Genesis 22:13-14).
• The Purpose: The ultimate reason or outcome is often revealed after obedience, showing the bigger picture of God's work (John 8:56).

Obedience unlocks purpose. We often want to know the "why" (purpose) before we take the first step (plan). However, God often requires obedience to the plan and presence at the place before revealing the full scope of His purpose and providing what is needed. Dreams and visions can help clarify the plan and the place, empowering us to walk by faith towards God's intended future.

Last updated: May 9, 2025