People, Places and Other Faces

11/29/23

I have learned when interpreting my dreams, how I feel about a symbol in the dream is important.  What does that animal, person, place or item mean to me?  It is this train of thought and the Bible that we can use to correctly interpret our night visions along with concentrated prayer to seek its meaning.

So, let’s start with animals.  If there are pets in a dream, it usually means comfort, love or anxiety (if you happen to have a bad one)!   A dog’s meaning to me could mean something different to another.  Also, the time of your life when you owned the pet. 

As for wild animals, they can suggest demonic activity especially if a big cat, bear, snake or other strong and dangerous creature is seen.  Take for instance, a kangaroo…they jump.  One appearing in a dream could indicate ‘jumping’ to conclusions.  Simply look at the attributes of the creature, your feelings and how the Bible portrays the animal to see how God is using it to make a point.

Moving on to familiar people, they could have hidden meanings.  Especially if they are people who I no longer see then, my mind associates them with past 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.

Take a family member or an acquaintance appearing.  It could be a prophecy concerning them which you are to pray against or for resolution.  My friend Gloria had her beloved grandmother visit in a dream, but she spoke in an evil manner, so it was the diabolical work of our enemy trying to fool her.  What the loved one says or does is to be most noted to receive the correct message from our Lord.  I believe in Gloria’s case the Spirit was showing her that the enemy was at work in her family.  Could be a generational connection to pursue through prayer.

How about strangers?  If they appear in occupational clothing or you have a ‘knowing’ about who they are (i.e., a police officer or postal worker), look at the meaning of the job they perform.  I had a dream lately which had me on a road with strangers and we were all walking in the same direction.  Because I knew it was a God dream, the strangers meant believers all walking the same road of ‘working out our salvation’ or the Christian walk moving in the same direction toward God. 

And remember too, strangers could be hidden angels visiting you.  Do not forget to entertain strangers, for by so doing some have unwittingly entertained angels.  Hebrews 13:2.

If the stranger(s) is evil, well, no surprise who that could be!  Sometimes, the Lord puts us in a group or mass of unknown people to represent humanity and/or their need for salvation.  Again, prayer and context will bring to light the significance.  Those that we interact with in our dreams could also be parts of our own self that the Lord wants to point out or deal with through instruction.

Places and items in our dreams are quite telling.  For instance, take a house.  “It could symbolize a person or family; even a church.  When naturally interpreted, it means a dwelling place.  Home = Heart (as in “home is where the heart is”); identity; roots.”  From: Milligan, Ira L., The Ultimate Guide to Understanding the Dreams You Dream: Biblical Keys for Hearing God's Voice in the Night.  

Then, there is the condition of the house.  Old verses new; run down or being renovated.  But as many places as we could see in our dreams, again, look at the attributes of the location and its purpose.  Front or back of the site meaning future or past.  If inside, then, current time.  Fun, huh?

Here is an example of color and item interpretation.  A friend asked me to help with a dream 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 (soft) were a symbol of calm and comfort to her.

God speaks very specifically and differently to each of His children.  It is important for 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   

Lastly, how do I know if a dream is from God?  I ask Him and wait for His answer.