Job 33:15-16: 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.
This end-time is a crucial time to receive dreams and visions (refer Joel 2:28, Acts 2:17). Dreams are also called ‘visions of the night’ (Job 33:15) in the Scripture. Joel’s prophecy (Joel 2:28) in the Old Testament came to pass on the Day of Pentecost & onwards. Peter quoted this verse (see Acts 2:17) in his first sermon upon receiving the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
Dream from God is not mind play or replay of activities of the day, but it’s a sovereign overruling of God over your mind. God does (and still does) communicate directly to you, His beloved people. The outstanding feature of a dream from God is its 'originality', i.e. you never have imagined it before in your mind. It’s a special revelation from God to you. For example, in Matthew 1:20, Joseph received a special, direct revelation through a dream (to take Mary as his wife). A dream from God bypasses logical reasoning of the mind, and is often ‘symbolic’ in nature. A symbol of, say ‘fire’, can mean a good thing to some (symbol of ‘light’), and can mean a bad thing to another (maybe the person has had a bad experience with fire before, e.g. house fire). The interpretation of a dream can also depend on the ‘mood’ of the dream, and because it is often symbolic, it does take spiritual understanding and spiritual maturity to interpret it.
What are the purposes of dreams from God?
1. God confirms with dreams (see Matthew 1:20).
2. God answers with dreams (see Matthew 1:20).
3. God instructs with dreams (see Matthew 1:20).
4. God makes promises in dreams (see 1 Kings 3:12-13), for example, the one King Solomon had. Interestingly, King Solomon even made a decision on what to ask God for (he asked for 'an understanding heart' to judge the people, that he may discern between good and evil) in a dream!
5. God cautions through dreams, against danger, and to prevent evil from happening (see Matthew 2:12), for example, dream given to the wise men (to go their way, and not to return to King Herod, who actually meant harm for the new-born Child, Jesus).
Interpretation (of a dream) belongs to God (Genesis 40:8). Seek Him as you are awakened by the dream. Ask God for its interpretation, or if needed, share the dream to someone you trust spiritually (e.g. your spiritual leader, or someone spiritually matured). Dreams are mainly for the dreamer himself (for the person receiving the dream). Joseph (Mary’s husband) interpreted the dream by himself, and for himself (to take Mary as his wife). However, the other Joseph (son of Jacob) interpreted for Pharaoh & even his fellow prisoners, i.e. the butler & the baker. These are examples of situations when a person needed another (someone spiritually matured & in-tune with the Spirit) to help interpret a dream.
