Dreams – the mysterious realm where mystery, symbolism, and the supernatural meet. Scientifically speaking, they pop up during our R.E.M. sleep, carrying secrets from different sources.
Some people believe it’s only our subconscious. While those who believe in the Bible know it’s more than just that! But what does the Bible say about dreams?
For those who believe they bring messages from unseen realms – whispers in the night from God. Christians find profound meaning in dreams, both historically and in their own personal spiritual journey.
Let’s dive into dream revelation in the Bible, blending scripture, stories, and practical application.
What Does The Bible Say About Dreams?
Dreams pepper the pages of scripture, serving as conduits of God’s will throughout the rocky stories of patriarchs, prophets, and apostles.
The concept of dreams, or “Chalom” in Hebrew and “Enupnion” in Greek, can be interpreted as a multitude of forms — visions, revelations, and prophecies.
In Hebrew, we see 4 words being used, Chalom, Chalem, Challam, and Paam, and in Greek, we have Onar and Enupnion.
There are tons of Bible verse references and stories about dreams, but we only touch on some major ones in scripture.
Dreams In The Old Testament: Windows to the Heavens
In the Old Testament, we witness many dreams woven into its stories.
Two key people come to mind… Joseph and Daniel.
Joseph, the son of Jacob, had the spiritual ability to decipher puzzling messages that came to him in his dreams and even other’s dreams. His extraordinary journey from the pit to the palace was like a grand symphony, guided by visions of sheaves and stars bowing down to him. Pretty amazing!
Daniel also made a name for himself by decoding Nebuchadnezzar’s wild dreams and being able to understand all kinds of dreams and visions.
Dreams In New Testament: Continued Revelations
As we flip over to the New Testament, we see dreams are still in the mix.
Joseph listened to the angel’s dream-inspired instructions to marry Mary and, later on, to escape and protect Jesus from the wrath of King Herod.
Another is the Apostle Paul. He was beckoned by a Macedonian call, redirecting Paul’s missionary journey.
Each dream was a stitch in the fabric of God’s amazing story. They played a role that we, as Christians, should not ignore.
Why Does God Give Us Dreams?
It’s a question as ancient as the scriptures themselves — why does God decide to reveal His will when the world sleeps, and our minds wander into the mysterious realm of dreams?
I mean, I would personally prefer a nice face-to-face chat. But it looks like Moses was the only one who got that.
This isn’t an exhaustive list, but it shows us several reasons why God speaks in dreams.
• Dreams can instruct (Matthew 1:20)
• Dreams can tell us the future (Genesis 37)
• Dreams Encourage (Judges 7:13-15)
• Dreams can restrain us from evil/warning (Genesis 20:3)
• Dreams can reveal God’s will (Genesis 28:11-22)
• Dreams can encourage (Judges 7:13-15)
Interpreting Dreams Biblically
It’s important to note not every dream you have comes from God. In the near future, I will be writing about the different sources where dreams can come from.
Joseph made it very clear where the interpretation of dreams comes from. In Genesis 40:8, he said,
“Do not interpretations belong to God?”
God speaks through the natural and the supernatural. Dreams are a part of that supernatural language while in our natural sleeping state.
As we see in Numbers 12:6, He says,
“…I speak unto him in a dream.”
So, how do you interpret dreams from God?
Keys To Dream Interpretation
I go over a lot of tips and steps throughout my dream posts. But here are some key things you should do to help you understand dreams.
- Prayer:
Ask God to reveal the meaning behind the dream. Pray for wisdom, understanding, and insight.
- Write It Down
It’s always good to write your dreams down, so you can refer back to them later. Don’t just try to remember it in your head. Trust me, it doesn’t work.
Make sure to make a note of anything that really stood out to you. This can be an emotion, color, words, animal, people, and more.
- Symbols:
Pay attention to symbols in your dreams as they often carry significant meanings in the spiritual realm. Look for biblical references to the symbols. For example, water can represent cleansing or purification, while a dove can represent peace and the Holy Spirit.
- Confirmation:
Seek confirmation from God and others if you feel like you have received a dream from Him. Dreams can be personal, but they can also have a wider significance that God wants to reveal.
The Bible Says A LOT About Dreams
For Christians, dreams are not just fleeting scenes when we close our eyes; they can be meaningful and important revelations that God wants to share with us. We see this historically in the Bible and in our own lives today.
As believers, let’s not brush off these mysterious messages from God as just random thoughts during R.E.M. sleep. Instead, let’s be open to unlocking the secrets that God wants to reveal through our dreams.
So next time you have a dream that you can’t shake or one that leaves you with a sense of awe and wonder, don’t hesitate to seek God for its interpretation. Who knows what amazing revelations and guidance you may receive!
Melissa is a passionate minister, speaker and an ongoing learner of the Bible. She has been involved in church and vocational ministry for over 18 years. And is the founder of Think About Such Things. She has the heart to equip the saints by helping them get into the Word of God and fall more in love with Jesus. She also enjoys family, cooking, and reading.
She has spoken in churches in California, Oregon, Texas, and Mexico and has been featured in Guidepost Magazine and All Recipes Magazine. Read More…