5 principles of interpreting dreams

The more we are in tune with the Holy Spirit, the more likely we can hear better and clearer from the Lord, and the more likely we are going to receive anointed dreams from the Lord. 

When our minds are set on the things above (i.e. the things of the Spirit), we are like opening a 'super highway' between heaven and us. And that's how we can receive the many things that the Lord wants to show to us and convey to us. You see, it is our spiritual 'radar' that needs to be 'in tune' and be cleansed. Because as for the Lord, He will always want to speak to us and release His revelation and direction to us. But we need to tune in, just like a radio that needs to be tuned in to the right frequency to receive the right transmission!

Job 33:15-16 (NKJV) says, '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.' 

As you can see here, a dream is also called 'a vision of the night'. It happens when a person is sleeping and not wide awake. So, over here in Job 33:15-16, 'when deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering on their beds', the Lord then opens the ears of men, and shows them and confirms with them His instruction.

Joel 2:28 (NKJV) says, 'And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.' 

In cross-reference, Acts 2:17 (NKJV) says, 'And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, that I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your young men shall see visions, and your old men shall dream dreams.' 

Notice these two verses here. See the words 'afterward' and 'in the last days'. Joel 2:28 speaks about 'afterward', which is something that's going to happen in the future. But you are blessed, beloved, because that time has come! Joel's prophecy in Joel 2:28 in the Old Testament came to pass from the Day of Pentecost onwards. Peter quoted this verse in Acts 2:17 during his first sermon upon receiving the Holy Spirit.

What are the purposes of dreams from God? 

Number One: God confirms with dreams. 

Number Two: God instructs with dreams. 

Number Three: God answers with dreams. 

Number Four: God makes promises in dreams. 

Number Five: God cautions through dreams. 

But how do we know if a particular dream is from the Lord, and it isn't just any random dream? What are the things that we should know as we learn to interpret a dream?  

Five principles of interpreting dreams: 

Principle One: 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. 

Principle Two: Dream from God can bypass logical reasoning of the mind, and is often 'symbolic' in nature.  

Principle Three: The interpretation of a dream depends on the 'mood' of the dream.  

Principle Four: The person who receives the dream should first and foremost seek the Lord himself about the dream. If the dream is from the Lord, it is vivid, as if the person has just watched a drama.

Principle Five: Dream from God are mainly for the dreamer himself (i.e. for the person who receives the dream). However, there can be dreams that you receive regarding another person, or a city, a country, or any situation.

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Let the Lord guide you with His eye

Psalm 32:8 (NKJV): I will instruct you and teach you in the way you should go; I will guide you with My eye.

The word 'eye' here is 'ayin' in Hebrew, literally meaning 'eye (to see)', or in picture form, 'like a fountain in a landscape'. A fountain is usually the 'centerpiece' of a garden, and it is where you see water gushing out. This very word 'ayin' interestingly speaks of 'the living water gushing out to water the surrounding area, effectively turning desert into garden'.

And with this 'eye' of the Lord, you will see what He sees, and what He wants you to see! This is therefore a crucial time to let His eyes be upon your eyes, and let the Spirit of the Lord enlighten your spiritual eyes of understanding, so that you may know what is the hope of His calling in your life, what are the riches of the glory of His inheritance in your life, and what is the exceeding greatness of His power toward you who believe (Ephesians 1:18-19).

The Hebrew number attached to 'ayin' is the number seventy (70), and this number speaks of 'God's Spirit, God's insight'. To have 'insight', by the way, is to have 'a clear, deep understanding of things'. In other words, you will suddenly 'see' the many things (of God) that you couldn't 'see' in the past.

I heard these words from the Lord recently:

"This is a season of visions and dreams! Watch how I will guide you, teach you, and speak to you in visions and dreams! Take heed, and you will see good success! For this is the season I am opening your eyes, and you shall see!"

When I heard these words, I knew the Lord wasn't just saying this is a season of visions and dreams in the general sense for the entire end-time, but He was saying God's people are entering a crucial season of seeing visions and dreams, a 'kairos' time, when the window of heaven is opened wide, and His light is shining right into God's people's eyes of understanding in very special ways. There will be new visions birthed. There will be new dreams birthed. There will be new hope birthed. There will be new horizons to be crossed. And when God's people take heed what they 'see', they will begin walking into new authority and fresh anointing given them.

The key psalm to read in this time and season is Psalm 32. This psalm written by David begins with acknowledging one's sins, and knowing that one is forgiven. See Psalm 32:1-5. We can hide our darkest sin from our loved ones, our family, or our friends. But we cannot hide it from Him. Since we cannot hide it from Him, might as well we acknowledge it. David wrote about the joy when one knows he has been forgiven. It begins with you acknowledging your sins. Friends, here holds the key to turn your life from drought to rain, from disappointments into new appointments.

In Psalm 32:9, David wrote further, 'Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you'. A 'harness' is put on the horse to drive it (and control it), a 'bit' is placed on the horse's mouth to assist the rider in communicating with the animal, and a 'bridle' is a piece of headgear used to direct the horse. This verse can be interpreted as 'we should take counsel and advice from the Lord, and be ready to obey and heed (hear and do) whatever His wisdom says, instead of waiting till we get 'chastened' the way the rider does to the horse!

David wrapped this psalm up beautifully in Psalm 32:10-11, 'Many sorrows shall be to the wicked, but he who trusts in the Lord, mercy shall surround him. Be glad in the Lord and rejoice, you righteous; and shout for joy, all you upright in heart!' 

Indeed, let His light visit you now, and let Him shine right into the darkest parts of your life and set you free! Set free to see Him giving you new visions and new dreams! Set free to see yourself walking in new authority and fresh anointing! Set free to walk into good success, and to see many good days ahead of you! In Jesus' name. Amen!

Hearing God in dreams

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.