How can one discern if a dream or vision is a special communication from God or not? Social media sites, alt news sites, and many internet-based ministries claim that they speak for God for they received visions or dreams from God. Is this possible? Some teach that God has only (and will only) speak through the prophets in the Bible, or believe that if God were to speak today, He would speak through professional clergy—likely through prominent pastors leading large churches. However, that supposition does not correlate well with Joel’s prophecy that in the last days, God would give dreams and visions to the unlikely—to those outside the ranks of professional clergy—to the young and old, to men and women, and to the rich and poor. If it is a given that in the last days, God will give (to the unlikely) dreams and visions designed to warn, guide, and encourage, then the question is: How do the wise determine whether or not a particular vision or dream is from God?

Helpful thoughts and guidelines to determine whether or not a vision or dream is from God Key Truths:

• God has and will reveal insights through dreams and visions. Noted below is the Bible promise: “…I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my Spirit in those days…” (Joel 2:28b-32)

• The Bible notes that the giving of spiritual dreams and visions will be particularly prominent in the Last Days. The Last Days is the period between Pentecost and the end of the Tribulation Period. The Last Days also includes a short period referred to as Birth Pangs by Jesus in Matthew 24:4-14. The time of the Birth Pangs is the period immediately preceding the commencement of the Tribulation  God will likely give many dreams and visions during this time.

• Some suggest the Joel 2 prophecy noted above was fulfilled 2000 years ago when the disciples received the Holy Spirit (Acts 2:1-18). However, Acts 2 records the BEGINNING of the fulfillment of the Joel 2 prophecy. Dreams and visions will likely become more frequent and prominent as we move closer to the commencement of the Tribulation Period.

Key Warnings:

• False Christs will appear (Matthew 24:24).

• False prophets will arise (Matthew 7:15-20).

• Satan can present or conjure visions (Matthew 4:8).

• Satan ‘masquerades as an angel of light’ seeking to deceive (2 Cor. 11:14).

• Satan is the father of lies (John 8:44).

• Satan will deceive many (Revelation 13:14, 20:8).

• Believers should be mindful of the character of Satan and be especially wary and careful to discern if a dream or vision is from God or the enemy.

Guiding Principles:

•  Rarity is the norm: Someone with 100 YouTube videos that begin with, “Last night the Lord visited me and said…” should be watched with extreme caution. The prophets of old did not receive hundreds of visions from the Lord.
• Clarity is the norm: Individuals who speak with unusually obscure or lofty language, King James-sounding language, incorporate a mixture of Greek or Hebrew words, use an abundance of uncommon theological terms, etc. make the content of their presentation suspect. The Lord often veils the meaning of His messages from those hostile to the teachings of God, but not to seekers.
• God speaking through professional clergy (via dreams and visions) will not be the norm: The Joel 2 prophecy is the Lord’s promise to give dreams and visions to the common man. Ordinary Christians having dreams and visions will become the norm.
• Being excited and precise should be the norm. Bloggers and YouTubers who begin with, “I had a vision from the Lord three or four months ago…” should be viewed with skepticism. Anyone who has received a vision would be excited and moved to share it immediately unless expressly told by God to wait. Those receiving visions should be eager, ecstatic, and precise about when the vision was given and what God communicated to them.

Guiding questions to help discern whether a dream or vision has come from God

• Is the message biblically sound? A communication from the Lord will not, in any way, contradict God’s written Word.
• Does the messenger promise something contrary to Scripture? Individuals have received dreams and visions at places such as Lourdes and Fatima—although these visions are rather remarkable, they promise that if people pray a certain prayer, or pray to a particular person (not Jesus), then there will be peace in Israel. Such a promise is contrary to Scriptural promises and prophecies.
• Does the vision activate spiritual action or facilitate fear? Scripture prompts the hearer to action and cautions against fear. View with skepticism those who share something like, “America is doomed. The Lord gave me a vision of an asteroid hitting the earth and everyone on the East Coast died.” Visions and dreams from God can exhort, but should also encourage, and direct individuals to particular courses of action.
• Does the messenger clearly note what is from God and his/her opinion? Many Bloggers and YouTube videographers incorporate their views into the dream they claim they received from the Lord. Their presentation might begin like this: “In the vision the Lord gave me, I saw an eagle falling from the sky…That means America’s economy will fail by such and such date…” In general, sharing a dream is fine, but stating it is from the Lord can be reckless.

Interpreting the dream on your own is presumptuous. Truly let the Lord lead here. Share the interpretation only if God clearly provides one. Perhaps the Lord will give you a vision at some point in the future. If so, remember, dreams and visions from God are solemn spiritual communications. Be God’s mouthpiece, but do not overstep, over-share, or over-interpret what the Lord has revealed.

• Does the messenger have a history of accuracy/integrity? View those who have a history of providing precise dates and prophecies with caution—particularly if their ‘prophecies’ have been shown to be in error in the past. If prophets in the Bible were not accurate 100% of the time, they were deemed false prophets.  
• Does God receive the glory? Is God the focus of the vision and presentation, or when sharing the dream or vision does the presenter make it more about themselves, their ministry, or their new book?
• Does the messenger seek to find plausible explanations for how the prophetic vision can take place? There are a good number of individuals who claim to have visions of

disasters (floods, earthquakes, etc.), and when discussing their vision, they share that they consulted a local scientist or expert to verify such an event could occur in the predicted area. A dream or vision from God does not require verification by any earthly authority. If God reveals in a dream or vision that something will happen, He is capable of making it happen.

• Does the message come from a non-Christian source? Can God give a vision to any person, anywhere and at any time? Yes. However, we know Satan has an agenda. Dreams or visions that come from cultic sources are always suspect.

Summary

In the Last Days, God will pour out His Spirit. It is not a probability; it is a promise. He will anoint and equip the unlikely in new and exciting ways. He will impart truth, insight, warnings, and encouragement to young and old, men and women, rich and poor. Believers should expect this but also be on the watch for false teaching. A watchman is called to be light to the world. They are to study, discern between right and wrong, and point out errors (wisely and lovingly). Be aware of what is happening in the world. Follow the news. Be able to speak intelligently on prophetic events. Work hard to strengthen your witness.

The first step in being able to discern the truth is to be in a relationship with Jesus Christ. He is  “the Way, the Truth, and the Life” (John 14:6). Real hope and peace come when we confess our sins, turn to God, and accept Jesus into our hearts as Lord and Savior. From that decision flows forgiveness, joy, hope, and the promise of eternity in Heaven. From that decision also comes special insight, via His Word and Bible prophecy, into what will happen in the days to come.

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