Keys to Understanding Visions and Dreams
Marvin Yoder
To learn more about Marvin Yoder, please visit his website.
Peter declared in the last days that “. . . your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions,
your old men shall dream dreams” (Acts 2:17). Not everyone will have a vision or a dream, but God said these things
would happen as He decides to do them. Kenneth E. Hagin said, “I praise God that He will direct us and guide us
today—even by visions when necessary—not as we might will, but as He wills!”(1)
If you’ve ever wondered what a dream or vision meant, the good news is, you’re not alone. Joseph didn’t understand his
dreams right away. Daniel didn’t understand his visions until God showed him. Neither did Peter . . .
“. . . Peter went up on the flat roof to pray. It was about noon, and he was hungry. But while a meal was being prepared, he
fell into a trance. He saw the sky open, and something like a large sheet was let down by its four corners. In the sheet were all
sorts of animals, reptiles, and birds. Then a voice said to him, “Get up, Peter; kill and eat them.” “No, Lord,” Peter declared. “I
have never eaten anything that our Jewish laws have declared impure and unclean.” But the voice spoke again: “Do not call
something unclean if God has made it clean.” The same vision was repeated three times. Then the sheet was suddenly pulled up
to heaven. Peter was very perplexed. What could the vision mean? . . .” (Acts 10:9-17, NLT)
Initially, Peter was puzzled by the vision he had. He quickly understood part of its meaning when some men came and
asked him to come to Cornelius’ house. This purpose of this vision was to help Peter be open to go preach Christ at
Cornelius’ house, and also later embrace God’s plan to bring salvation to the Gentiles.
Let’s take a quick look at ten keys that can help us better understand the meaning of a dream or vision . . .
- Dreams or visions come as God decides. God did not promise to give everyone dreams or visions. If we seek dreams or visions, it allows the devil to show us something. We’re to seek God and His Word. God promised to lead us by His Spirit according to the written Word and by an inner witness (Jn. 16:13, Rom. 8:14,16).
- The meaning of adream or vision must be confirmed by 2-3Scriptures.The written Word always has priority over supernatural manifestations. Dreams and visions are often a Rhema word from God. Since we have limited knowledge and insight, we must confirm such words by 2-3 scriptural witnesses (Matt. 18:16, 2 Cor. 13:1).
- The meaning of a dream or vision must agree with sound Biblical doctrine. We’re to take heed to sound doctrine (1Ti 4:16; Tit. 1:9, 2:1). God doesn’t contradict sound doctrines in His Word with dreams or visions. The devil is a liar, and any supernatural manifestations by him that contradict the Bible can’t be accepted.
- Put “on the shelf” what you don’t understand. Some parts of a dream or vision may be understood immediately, and other parts may be hard to understand. Wait for God to give you understanding of it (Hab. 2:2- 3). Don’t get impatient for the understanding or completion of a dream or vision to happen.
- Avoid putting your own interpretation on a dream or vision. Some disciples at Tyrus discerned that Paul would be in great danger if he went to Jerusalem, and assumed he wasn’t supposed to go there (Acts 21:4). The prophet Agabus discerned the same thing, but only told Paul what would happen if he went (Acts 21:11).
- Some or all parts of a dream or vision can be symbolic. Things in Peter’s vision were symbolic of God’s plan. The dreams and visions of Joseph and Daniel were symbolic of future events(Gen. 37; Dan. 7,8). We must not apply symbolic parts of a dream or vision literally. Instead we must ask God to show us what they really mean.
- Not every detail of a dream or vision means something. Identify the main point of a dream or vision, and seek its proper application. The main point of Peter’s vision was salvation has been provided for both Jew and Gentile (Acts 11:5-18). Trying to see what every detail of a dream or vision means can lead to confusion and deception.
- A dream or vision may have a double application. Joseph’s dreams showed his siblings bowing to him, but also meant that Joseph would save his people (Gen. 37:5-9, 50:19-21). Peter’s vision meant going to Cornelius’ house to preach salvation to them, but also showed God’s plan of salvation for Jews and Gentiles (Acts 10:9-17, 11:17-18).
- A dream or vision may be for a time in the future. Habakkuk told Israel the vision of God is for a later time so they were to write it down (Hab. 2:2-3). God easily speaks about future things that we may not easily understand or see happen right away (Isai. 46:10). So we need to write the vision so we don’t forget it.
- Submit your dream or vision forjudgement. We shouldn’t share our dream or vision with everyone, but safety does come in submitting to spiritual counsel (Prov.11:14, 15:22). This gives us 1) assurance that we’re on track 2) insight to make corrections 3) freedom from doubt, and 4) confidence to walk in God’s unfolding plan.
(1) Hagin, Kenneth E., I Believe In Visions, 1984, Tulsa, FLP, 133
