Dreams and Visions
by Linda Seatts-Ogletree
There are many quotes, interpretations, and axioms on dreams and visions. One very popular quote we often hear is, “Teamwork makes the Dream Work.” When we engage “teamwork makes the dream work” in the context of Scripture, it initiates a close analysis of the “team” behind the “dream.”
We find dreams in the Old Testament a consistent instrument of God’s communication to both Israelites and non-Israelites. “At Gibeon the LORD appeared to Solomon in a dream by night, ‘Ask what I should give you’” (1 Kings 3:5). Abimelech, who plays a major role as the antagonist of the patriarchs, also received a message, “But God came to Abimelech in a dream by night, and said to him, ‘You are about to die because of the woman whom you have taken; for she is a married woman’” (Genesis 20:3).
The Dream Team involves God, Prophets, Angels, and the Dreamer. Further analysis of dreams and visions identifies a very thin line between the two. Dream, halo’ in Hebrew, has several interpretations, including “supernatural revelation by God by words and images: interpreters of dream.” Vision, ḥāzôn, is defined, “vision, revelation, a message from God, with a possible focus on the visual aspects of the message, vision, revelation, saw visions.”1
The prophet Joel was assigned to prophesy to Judah both a message of judgment for their continuous disobedience to God, and a message of hope for those who sincerely and consistently follow him. Joel prophesies, “The LORD will pour out His spirit upon all people, sons and daughters will prophesy; old men will dream dreams, and your young men will see visions. In those days I will pour out my Spirit even on my servants – men and women alike” (Joel 2:28-32 NIV).
Peter quoted Joel’s prophecy, which was fulfilled on the day of Pentecost where prophecy is restored, and all gender, age and ethnic constraints removed (Acts 2:17-21). The “last days” of “God’s redemptive docket has begun and those who call on the Lord shall be saved.” It is important to note that what Joel said is what God says. This outpouring of the Holy Spirit is the beginning of access for all who will believe in Christ. The veil is broken, and we are freely endowed with gifts and power.
Jesus reminded His followers that the presence of the Holy Spirit marks His ministry. As He was beginning His Galilean ministry, Jesus unrolled the scroll of the prophet Isaiah and began to proclaim the prophetic mission described by Isaiah: “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim release to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind, to let the oppressed go free, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor.” (Lk 4:18-19). Jesus never allowed the crowd to control the truth. Have the Preachers and Teachers of God’s word allowed the crowd to control our message and ministry?
A recently-called female minister was concerned and confused because she was having dreams and visions but could not openly talk about them in her church as “it wasn’t a focus of the ministry.” That is a disturbing reality. Our places of worship should be a place where God’s gifts are welcomed, used, and developed. Places of worship should be “disciple-making” worship centers, not just “member-making” worship centers.
It is time to give our churches back to God and align ourselves with the ministry of Jesus Christ. Our traditions and by-laws should be based on the word of God, not the desires of man. There are many female ministers who are gifted and called to “prophesy” – prophēteuō in Greek, defined as to “speak an inspired message, [preach] sometimes encouraging obedience to God, sometimes proclaiming the future as a warning to preparedness and continued obedience.”2 God clearly provided all with a platform to use our gifts and talents, regardless of gender, age and/or ethnicity. Pentecost eliminated barriers and segregation and birthed a unified, equal opportunity for all to be of use to God. The Kingdom of God is built on the full-Gospel, not half-truths. Why are we holding gifts, talents, dreams, and visions hostage when Jesus Christ set us free?
When I dialogue with female ministers, my heart hurts, as the narrative in 2018 remains the same of years past: “I belong to a congregation who do not believe in female preachers.” In our conversations, I always refer to Joel’s prophecy, preached by Peter in Acts 2:17-21, unswervingly reminding them of what God said. Who can supersede God? I shared with one of my male Pastors that “women should not fight this battle alone;” male pastors should work alongside their biggest supporters (women) to extricate the stained gender ceilings in our churches. It’s time for a church clean-up. It’s time to renew our minds according to the teachings of Jesus Christ. When we tear down the mental strongholds of gender bias and build on Kingdom principles, we will begin to see a more inclusive church environment of women in leadership, teaching and preaching, sharing the platform of the Gospel of Jesus Christ with our Brothers and Sisters in Christ.
When visiting a church recently, I was moved by a Pastor who acknowledged that the “sacred desk” he stands behind isn’t his desk—it belongs to God. He also added that it’s up to Pastors to provide opportunities for ministers to use their gifts.
Recently my husband and I attended a Good Friday service at an African Methodist Church featuring seven dynamic and gifted female preachers. My husband had never experienced a service like this and was amazed at the powerful messages. If we are going to “set the captives free and open the eyes of the blind,” we need everybody on board – sons, daughters, old and young, working together.
We need to teach born-again believers of the various ways God communicates to us, including dreams and visions. Let’s slow down and reflect on our ministries. Let’s examine what we are doing and if, in fact, we are making disciples. Have our ministries become a ministry of convenience, crowds, and conformity to the world system; or a ministry based on the full-Gospel? If the latter, we have embraced the “divine team”, have chosen to witness a mighty move of God transforming the lives of His people. If the former, I suggest we open the floodgates and shake off the culture of the world that has penetrated Christendom. Let us normalize the gifts God has graciously given the church and embrace the dreams and visions of all, regardless of gender, age, or ethnicity. When we implement God’s ministry in our ministries, we will experience the power of the resurrection.
Notes
1. John R. Kollenberger III, ed., The NIV Exhaustive Bible Concordance, 3rd Edition (Grand Rapids: Zondervan, 2015).
2. Ibid.
