God Dreams ~ Symbolism & Reasons

I have wondered what came first…my faith or my dreams, my dreams or my faith?  It’s a thought-provoking statement to me since I have learned to yearn for the dreams God gives in the night. 

I know there are some in Christendom who poo-poo dreams as ‘pizza’ dreams, but God is serious about the visions we see on our beds.  So, I do not agree with the naysayers about dreams.  Dreams are windows into our souls and the spirit realm.  Attention and prayer should be our focus when we dream.  Listen to how Job describes dreams: “For God may speak in one way, or in another, yet man does not perceive it.  In a dream, in a vision of the night, when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds, then He opens the ears of men, and seals their instruction.”  (Job 33:14-16).

I do believe that there are times when the Lord will send a dream to inform us of events.  He does not expect us to act unless He tells us what to do, but it is our responsibility to ask.  I have had friends call me about dreams from God asking what they should do.  I tell them if after prayer He hasn’t specifically said what action to take; then the dream should be viewed as a heavenly FYI.  I know God can make clear His intentions to us if we earnestly seek Him with all of our hearts.

Here is how the Lord explained dreams to me from my prayer journal:

“A dream enables Me to bypass the ideals or perceptions that My servant has set up in their mind. I bypass all the norms. I can show the enemy’s plans and a person’s heart or the future without mindful interference. Those things that I show you via dreams would be hard-pressed to comprehend without the symbolism. It is like a package to be unwrapped, and you then find the gift (meaning) upon the opening. I also use dreams to prod My people to ponder or seek Me more deeply. If I tell you all without allowing you to seek or to ask or to ponder, then you may not learn the deep things I hide in your dreams. Most times, you hear Me, but there is a lack of emotional attachment to what you hear. In a dream, I can attach your emotions to what I am saying and give birth to greater passion for My purpose. Things you would not grasp, I communicate in a dream.”

Symbolism in Dreams:

I have learned when interpreting my dreams, how I feel about a symbol in the dream is important.  What does that animal or person or item mean to me?  It is the same train of thought with colors, even numbers…though they are a bit more complicated.  It is also crucial to look at what is going on in my life at the time for correct interpretation.

Let me give examples.  A friend asked me to help with her dreams meaning which contained lavender towels.  First, the color lavender is a mix of purple (a royal color, the color of priesthood) and white (righteousness).  Next, it is a calming color but also, lavender is an herb.  An herb with ‘calming’ properties.  The lavender towels were a symbol of calm and comfort to her.

I have also found that people in my dreams have hidden meanings.  Especially if they are people who I no longer see or my mind has associated with events.  For instance, a prayer partner from the late 90s showed up in recent dreams a few times.  I questioned the Lord about it and found she appears when God is talking to me about end-times.  Why?  Because that friend was my prayer partner when I was receiving end-time prophecies yet, I haven’t seen her for over 20 years.

The same is true of another friend who appears in my dreams to represent the 2007 Covenant that I am still under with the Lord.  More on that subject in the next few weeks.  But when I dream of Taunya, she symbolizes the on-going Covenant that is still in effect.  I might add here, that over the last 2 years she has shown up quite a bit…leading me to believe that the fulfillment of the Covenant is close at hand.

Lastly, God speaks very specifically to each of us differently.  It is important for each of us to discover the language of the Lord and apply it individually.  If I am not sure of a symbol, I use dream symbol books to help guide me.  Knowing that God has given me a few symbol books; I know He will use the symbols in those particular books to keep me on the right track.  In addition, with prayer and scripture (given by Him or in the books), He is sure to get His point across.

A list of my favorite Christian dream symbol books:

• The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Dreams You Dream: Biblical Keys for Hearing God's Voice in the Night by Ira L. Milligan
• A to Z Christian Dream Symbols Dictionary: Unlock Your Dream Meaning and Message by John Mark Volkots
• Interpreting The Symbols and Types by Kevin J. Conner

Reasons for Dreams:

“When I remember You on my bed, I meditate on You in the night watches.  Because You have been my help, therefore in the shadow of Your wings I will rejoice.”  (Psalm 63:6-7). 

It has been my experience that God uses dreams to do many things: give warning when I am in sin, when He wants me to change direction in life, when the enemy is deceiving me; to alert me to something that will happen in the future (near or far); spiritual warfare; for intercession on behalf of another; comfort; and the condition of my heart—these are just a handful of reasons for God dreams.

An explanation of dreams I found helpful is from https://www.biblestudy.org/bible-study-by-topic/dreams-in-the-bible.html:  “We find, from the Bible record of at least twenty dreams, that they were used by God for a variety of purposes.

• Dreams can warn a person not to do something (Genesis 20:3, 31:24, Matthew 27:19).
• They can convey what will happen either in the near or distant future (Genesis 37:5, 9, 40:8 - 19, 41:1 - 7, 15 - 32, Daniel 2, 7).
• Dreams can convey a spiritual truth, spiritual warfare or the enemy’s plans (Genesis 28:12).
• They can confirm a promise, a healing or a decision (Genesis 28:13 - 14).
• Dreams can offer encouragement (Genesis 28:15).
• They can inform someone or a group to do something (Genesis 31:11 - 13, Matthew 1:20 - 23, 2:12 - 13, 19, 22).
• They can convey to an enemy their destruction (Judges 7:13 - 15).
• They can offer a person a gift from God (1 Kings 3:5).
• Dreams can warn a person they will receive punishment for their sins (Daniel 4).”

Take note that when a dream or a type of dream is repeated (and not always on the same night) it means God will surely bring it to pass.  And doubly so if an Archangel is seen in your dream, such as Gabriel, Michael, or Raphael! 

A scripture address given to me to understand how to interpret dreams was John 7:24: “Do not judge according to appearance but judge with righteous judgment.”  Another version: “Stop judging only by what you see, judge in the right way; look beneath the surface then you can judge correctly.”

A final thought about dreams from Ira Milligan in “The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Dreams You Dream”: “Most dreams are messages to the dreamer, for the dreamer, about the dreamer. This is probably the most important rule of all because it will save you from making major mistakes when interpreting dreams.”  I will add here, this is true unless the Lord reveals to you otherwise through prayer and confirmations.