Supernatural Visions and Dreams

                                           Supernatural Visions and Dreams

     God uses dreams and visions to speak and bring revelation, correction, instruction and comfort to the body of Christ. Dreams and visions are used to reveal things present and things to come and to give warning of future events. A dream or vision that is given as a warning regarding a particular situation can often be counteracted through the prayers of believers. Often God will give a dream or vision of future events to reveal the plans of the enemy, and then lead one to intercede for that situation, thereby fouling the plans of the enemy. Dreams and visions are also given to bring correction to us in our personal lives. God often uses dreams and visions to speak to the prophets and bring revelation. There are different types of revelation and different types of visions. In this section we will begin by examining the different types of visions.

Vision Types: Similitude, Simple Spiritual Visions, Trances and Open Visions

1.) A similitude type of vision.
In this type of vision a person has a vision in his spirit, or sees in his spirit. This is one of the first and lowest types of vision.

Example: A similitude type of vision;
   Recently while watching a Christian television station .I saw a preacher on the television preaching about some “spiritual law”, as he referred to it. This so called “spiritual law” had to do with a revelation that the man said God had given him regarding prosperity. This teaching did not sound at all scriptural and it just did not seem to have any biblical basis. I questioned the Lord about what the man was preaching and God gave me a vision in response to my question. My eyes were open and I was still able to see all around me and at the same time I saw the vision.
In the vision: I saw a light fixture that descended down from a rod. The fixture was shaped like an inverted cone and was green in color. I noticed that the light was off. Shortly after seeing the little short vision I was given understanding of the vision.
Interpretation:

   The fixture coming down from above on a rod: (as if from above, from heaven) Represents light or revelation that appears to be from heaven. Light represent revelation.
The color green represents prosperity among other things.
Typically a green light means go ahead, but this light was off.
The fact that the light was turned off and was not illuminated revealed that there was no revelation in what I was seeing and hearing on the television.

   If the light had been on the vision would have stood to confirm that the preacher’s message was by revelation from the Holy Spirit. Because the light was not on the vision stood to confirm this so called “revelation” was not of God.
This was a simple vision. This particular vision is actually called a similitude.
A similitude is like seeing a picture that lasts only a short moment and is gone. Many have had a similitude type of vision and yet were not fully aware of what it meant or that it may have been from God and so passed it off as imagination or day dreams.
A similitude type of vision may occur in a series of separate similitude visions given one after another. When given in this way the similitude visions act like a picture book that tells a story.

Example: A simple spiritual vision; In this type of vision a person has a vision in his spirit, or sees in his spirit. This also is one of the first and lowest types of vision. The difference in the two visions is that this one has movement.

   A young lady who is nicknamed “Baby Bird” had become concerned that she was not growing spiritually and was feeling as though her Christian walk had become somewhat stagnant. The young lady went to the Lord in prayer concerning the matter and asked God if she were growing and asked him if she would ever “fly” spiritually like a mature bird flies in the natural.
   In response to her prayer she was given a vision of a flip book. A flip book is a series of still pictures that are viewed in rapid succession and give the appearance of movement, much like cartoons are a series of pictures.
In the vision she looked at a few of the pages of the flip book and in the pages of the flip book she saw a bird. At first, because she only had looked at a few of the pages the bird did not seem to be moving. Then she viewed the pages in rapid succession as a flip book is supposed to be viewed and she then saw the bird fly.

    At this time she received the interpretation of the vision.
The bird of course represented her.
When she viewed only a few of the pages, this represents her viewing only bits and pieces of her spiritual walk.
Her viewing the book in rapid succession represented her seeing the whole view of her spiritual walk. So when she looked at only parts it seemed she was not growing but when she looked at the overall picture it became apparent to her that she was indeed growing.

   In both of these visions there was no speech or hearing, just pictures.
In one of the visions there was movement of the things seen, and in one there was no movement. The vision in which there was no movement is a similitude.

2.) Trance
   The Second type of vision is a trance. When one falls into a trance his physical senses are suspended for a time...for the moment. He is not aware of where he is or anything that contacts the physical realm. He is not unconscious, he is just more conscious of spiritual things than he is of physical things to the point that the physical realm seems not to exist.

Example: Peter on the housetop. (Acts 10:9-19)
9 On the morrow, as they went on their journey, and drew nigh unto the city, Peter went up upon the housetop to pray about the sixth hour: 10 And he became very hungry, and would have eaten: but while they made ready, he fell into a trance, 11 And saw heaven opened, and a certain vessel descending unto him, as it had been a great sheet knit at the four corners, and let down to the earth: 12 Wherein were all manner of four footed beasts of the earth, and wild beasts, and creeping things, and fowls of the air. 13 And there came a voice to him, Rise, Peter; kill, and eat. 14 But Peter said, Not so, Lord; for I have never eaten any thing that is common or unclean. 15 And the voice spake unto him again the second time, What God hath cleansed, that call not thou common. 16 This was done thrice: and the vessel was received up again into heaven. 17 Now while Peter doubted in himself what this vision which he had seen should mean, behold, the men which were sent from Cornelius had made enquiry for Simon's house, and stood before the gate, 18 And called, and asked whether Simon, which was surnamed Peter, were lodged there. 19 While Peter thought on the vision, the Spirit said unto him, Behold, three men seek thee. We see here that it appeared to Peter as though the sheet were actually coming upon him as he was caught up in the trance, it was for him as though he were in the place where the vision was and not where he physically was. This is evident in that the Lord spake and said behold three men seek thee. These men had entered into the gate ,Peter though he was on the rooftop was not aware of their presence until the Lord told him they were there and the vision ended, at which point his physical senses returned.

3.) Open Vision
    This is the highest type of vision. When an open vision occurs one's physical senses are not suspended. Physical eyes are not closed. He possesses all of his physical capabilities. yet he hears and sees into the realm of the spirit.
Example: Angel of the Lord appears to Balaam after God opens Balaam's eyes. (Numbers22:20-34)
20 And God came unto Balaam at night, and said unto him, If the men come to call thee, rise up, and go with them; but yet the word which I shall say unto thee, that shalt thou do. 21 And Balaam rose up in the morning, and saddled his ass, and went with the princes of Moab. 22 And God's anger was kindled because he went: and the angel of the LORD stood in the way for an adversary against him. Now he was riding upon his ass, and his two servants were with him. 23 And the ass saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and the ass turned aside out of the way, and went into the field: and Balaam smote the ass, to turn her into the way. 24 But the angel of the LORD stood in a path of the vineyards, a wall being on this side, and a wall on that side. 25 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she thrust herself unto the wall, and crushed Balaam's foot against the wall: and he smote her again. 26 And the angel of the LORD went further, and stood in a narrow place, where was no way to turn either to the right hand or to the left. 27 And when the ass saw the angel of the LORD, she fell down under Balaam: and Balaam's anger was kindled, and he smote the ass with a staff. 28 And the LORD opened the mouth of the ass, and she said unto Balaam, What have I done unto thee, that thou hast smitten me these three times?
29 And Balaam said unto the ass, Because thou hast mocked me: I would there were a sword in mine hand, for now would I kill thee. 30 And the ass said unto Balaam, Am not I thine ass, upon which thou hast ridden ever since I was thine unto this day? was I ever wont to do so unto thee? And he said, Nay. 31 Then the LORD opened the eyes of Balaam, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the way, and his sword drawn in his hand: and he bowed down his head, and fell flat on his face. 32 And the angel of the LORD said unto him, Wherefore hast thou smitten thine ass these three times? behold, I went out to withstand thee, because thy way is perverse before me: 33 And the ass saw me, and turned from me these three times: unless she had turned from me, surely now also I had slain thee, and saved her alive. 34 And Balaam said unto the angel of the LORD, I have sinned; for I knew not that thou stoodest in the way against me: now therefore, if it displease thee, I will get me back again.

    We see here in verse 31 that Balaam was at first not able to see the angel of the Lord, but then God opened Balaam's eyes and he saw the angel standing in the way. In this vision he is still aware of his physical senses, yet he sees into the realm of the spirit to see the angel before him and he hears him speaking to him.

    Now that we have briefly looked at the different types of visions let’s consider what to do when we receive a vision. As it is with dreams, interpretations belong to God.Visions and dreams can be literal or symbolic. Literal visions are visions that can be taken at face value so to speak. They usually don’t require any interpretation. Symbolic dreams and visions are full of symbolism and always require interpretation.

1. Scripture: Consider the bible as your first choice of sources to help determine the meaning of your vision. In interpreting dreams and visions we must always remember that God will not contradict his own word. We must always have a firm foundation upon which to build our understanding of symbolic dreams and visions that we receive.

2. Dream Language: Draw on your past experiences with God. As God gives dreams and visions he also builds in you a dream language. Your dream language will be a combination of common dream symbolism and symbolism based on your personal life experiences. For example God may show you a dream or a vision with a person in your past who has betrayed you. Seeing this person in your vision or dream may not mean that the specific person from your past is involved but may represent the thing for which they are most remembered such as a betrayer. Seeing a vision of a person who has betrayed you in the past could mean that somebody is about to betray you or has plans to betray you. Likewise seeing some body from your past that is associated with something pleasant could also be interpreted as a representation of that pleasant thing.

    For example :a dog, In some situations a dog could represent a friend (as in man’s best friend) or it could represent an enemy ( if you have a fear of dogs or have had a tragic or frightening experience involving dogs. If dogs evoke fear or thoughts of attack they would likely be used to represent an enemy. But if you’re a dog lover a dog would likely be used to represent a friend or even a pet doctrine.

3. Context: The context of the dream or vision must be considered it must be used to reveal the interpretation. Colors, numbers, emotions, characters, directions, events and actions, are all things that need to be considered, In dreams and visions there may be some things that seem to stand out or be more profound than others. Things that stand out need to be given precedence.

4.Experience: Draw on the experiences of others: Find people who have visions and dreams and who are willing to talk about their visions and dreams. Consider the material of other Christian authors. Many who are experienced in the supernatural realm of dreams and visions have published various books on the subject of supernatural dreams and visions. Avoid new age books that are not Christian. Spiritual things are spiritually discerned and cannot be properly discerned aside from the Holy Spirit.

5.Prayer: Pray and seek God for revelation of dreams and visions that are not easy to interpret. Interpretations belong to God. Some dreams and visions are so symbolic that they require supernatural revelation and the interpretation can only come from God.

6.Meditation: Meditate on the dream or vision and consider all aspects of the matter.
Pr 25:2 It is the glory of God to conceal a thing: but the honour of kings is to search out a matter.

7Journaling:   I know it is not always convenient to log every dream or vision that we receive
but whenever it is possible we should keep a journal of the dreams and visions we receive. As God builds our dream language we become better able to understand the symbolism that is often used in supernatural dreams and visions. A dream or vision you may not understand today might be easily understood some time in the future as you grow in your understanding and interpretations of dreams and visions. As God is training you in supernatural dreams and visions you will become more adept and you may find that some dreams and visions have manifold interpretations. God is so awesome when it comes to visions and dreams. We see through a glass darkly.
1Co 13:12 For now we see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but then shall I know even as also I am known.

     We may have a dream or a vision and it may appear as though we have the full understanding of the thing but as time progresses and events pass we may see the vision or dream unfold like the petals on a rose. When we see a rose bud we know it is a rose and we are able to even see the color of the rose, but it is not until the rose is fully open and exposed that we are able to see the full detail of the rose’s composition. It may be that the rose has streaks or is multicolored when we saw it as a single colored rose. We are correct in our first evaluation of the rose, in the sense that it is indeed a rose. So our interpretation is correct but it may have a manifold interpretation in that it may not just be a rose but it may be a rose that is bug infested or multicolored etc.
   Some dreams and visions are like pieces to a big puzzle. We may only have a few pieces of the puzzle in the beginning but as time passes we are often given more of the pieces that will eventually unfold the big picture. This is more common in dreams than in visions, but it is still important to journal as much as possible.

8:Position: In dreams and visions it is important to take notice where we are in relationship to the dream or vision. Are you in the dream or vision or observing the dream or vision. If you are in the dream or vision it is likely directly about you but if you are observing, it is likely not about you directly although it may affect you. If you receive a vision while you are praying for some body else it is highly likely that the vision you are receiving at the moment has to do with the person you are praying for whether directly or indirectly or with some aspect of their life.