Does God speak through dreams?

BQ NO 88 - HOW CAN WE TELL IF A DREAM OR VISION IS FROM GOD?

By Ezekiel Kimosop

INTRODUCTION

This is the most critical question which I guess informed the participant's inquiry.

How do we tell or determine if a dream is truly from God?

In a world where self declared prophets claim that God directly spoke to them concerning all manner of things in visions and dreams, many are left in confusion regarding the validity of the dreams.

Does God use dreams and visions to reveal important information concerning the church today? Are we to expect God to constantly employ dreams and visions to reveal His mind to the church?

You may find my answer a little surprising but this is what informs my theology on dreams and visions.

Whereas I do not wish to limit the power of God in revealing His mind by whatever means at His disposal, I must admit that I am purely guided by the truths of Scripture and nothing more. 

Yes, God regularly does speak to us, His elect in Christ, and to the world at large.

As to the means of accomplishing this purpose and the medium of communication, this is sadly where the dispute lies among some Christian movements.

There are perhaps as many interpretations as there are churches and denominations!

Evangelical tradition holds that the teaching of Hebrews 1:1-2 is the conclusive evidence that God spoke to us through the prophets in the past but NOW, in the dispensation of grace, His voice is exclusively heard through His Son whose message is recorded in the Bible.

The authority of Scripture as the full and final counsel of God is the cornerstone of Evangelical theology.

Evangelical Christianity therefore concludes that God cannot speak to His people by any other means than what is written in the biblical Scriptures (Psalm 119:105; 2 Timothy 3:16-17).

Finally, Evangelical theology proclaims that the Holy Spirit affirms the truths of the word of God and will by no means add to or reduce from the canon of Scripture.

Sections of the ultra modern charismatic/pentecostal movements on the other hand holds that God speaks to the Church through the word of God and the Holy Spirit and that new revelation can be given by God from time to time IN ADDITION to what is taught in the Bible.

I know that someone may wonder why I am bringing up theological issues in explaining the issue of dreams and visions but this is fundamental to my analysis and conclusion which is coming shortly.

The Bible further teaches in 1 John 4:1-2  that we should test every spirit or prophecy to determine if they are from God. The further provides that many false prophets have gone out into the world.

1 John 4:2-6 describes the doctrinal basis for validating prophetic truth  in that it should be consistent with the revelation of God in Christ.

The first sign of false prophecy is the denial of the incarnate coming of Christ and His humanity (1 John 4:2-3).

This is what theological scholars refer to as true christology; the affirmation of the deity, divinity and full humanity of Jesus Christ. False teachers have serious doctrinal issues and often teach heresy.

I have severally addressed this issue in this forum.

Secondly, false teachers and their followers do not obey the message of the true gospel and consistently oppose the true church.

This is the obedience test.

False teachers are rebellious and obstinate in upholding and teaching heresy and reject biblical correction! (1 John 4:5-6).

Many cults are identified with this kind of cultic rebellion.

CONCLUSION

In the light of the forgoing, I wish to return to the question: How do we tell if a dream, vision or prophecy is from God?

If someone claims that God spoke to them through a dream or vision, the first thing to do is to confirm if the vision is consistent with the truths Scripture. This is the Berea test.

Secondly, test the moral character of the claimant.

If a person claiming the vision does not walk in a manner that is consistent with the moral principles of the word of God, we should reject their prophetic utterances. They are possibly self seekers who are targeting our wallets!

Finally, if the dream is intended to draw the attention of men on the preacher or prophet rather to God, then the vision is decidedly false! Ignore the preacher!

The angel who spoke to John in Rev 22 disclaimed any glory for the revelation. He was merely an agent of God. He warned John never to bow and worship him because God alone is worthy of worship.

Rev 22:9 says "See that you do not do that. For I am your fellow servant and your brethren the prophets, and of those who keep the words of this book. Worship God."

Here is my closing statement which you can take to the bank:

We are to worship no other but God and through no other but Christ and by the leading of no other but the Holy Spirit and through the knowledge of nothing else but His eternal word in the Bible. Period.


©Ezekiel Kimosop Teaching Series 2018