Grace be unto you all and peace from God our Father, and our Lord Jesus Christ. We are burdened to write to you all concerning dreams and visions in these last days, even as the coming of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ draws near, whom we serve whole-heartedly by His spirit of grace and truth which has been given to us as saints. In these latter times, we hear of several dreams and visions from different sources, some coming from within us and a few from without. In some cases, a number of these visions do conflict one another while some are completely contrary to the Scripture of Truth. Yet still, some are according to the truth of God’s Word and such should be received by all saints. In order that all saints may rightly discern between truth and falsehood and deceit, we have written this letter to you all praying that all saints will profit from this epistle and that the Holy Ghost, who is also the spirit of holiness (Rom 1:4) will abide in you, guiding you into all truth that you may neither be deceived nor toss to and fro by these things.
Speaking of visions and revelations from God and men that had abundance of such, Daniel the prophet is an example of such a man. Daniel had a special gift from God in understanding all visions and dreams and he was also blessed with many visions and visitations from God. Now, in the Book of Daniel, there are four Hebrew words translated as visions. The first is chazon, meaning mental sight, dream, revelation, oracle (Dan 1:17, 8:1, 2, 13, 15, 17, 26, 9:21, 24, 10:14, 11:14). This could come in the form of divine utterance of words (Dan 9:24, 1 Sam 3:1, Jer 14:14, 23:16), a dream (Isa 29:7), a writing (Isa 1:1, Nah 1:1), or a mental picture when one is awake (Dan 8:1, 2, 13-17, 26, 9:21-24). The second is chezev, meaning sight, vision (Dan 2:19, 28, 4:5, 9, 10, 13, 7:1, 2, 7, 13, 15). This word is used of visions seen while asleep, otherwise called dreams. The third is marah, meaning a vision as seeing something in a mirror, appearance (Dan 10:7, 8, 16, Gen 46:2, Num 12:6). The fourth is mareh, meaning sight, appearance (Dan 8:16, 26, 27, 9:23, 10:1). The three Hebrew words translated as dreams are chalom (Dan 2:1-2), chelem (Dan 2:4-9, 26-28, 36, 45, 4:5-9, 18-19, 5:12, 7:1), and chalam (Dan 2:2, 3). They all have the meaning of something seen while asleep. Therefore we understand that dreams and visions are very similar in that both can be seen while asleep (Dan 7:1-2) though visions differ more in that they can also be seen while awake.
Now, if a vision comes from the Lord, it will be in harmony with the written Word of God, the Bible. It will at the least not contradict the Word of God. If any man will speak a vision that do not conform to the truth which we have all received as saints by the Holy Spirit from our master and Lord Jesus Christ, such visions are to be rejected by all saints. And if a man speaks continually in this manner attempting to cause divisions among saints, causing offenses against truth, he should be marked and avoided, for he does not truly serve God. Even Apostle Paul commanded in 1 Corinth 14:29 that the words of prophets within the church must be judged whether they have spoken truth. Prophecies are to be judged as to their truth. The basis of their judgment is the written revelation of God (Deut 18:10-12, 20, Isa 8:19-20, Rev 22:18-19). If any message in prophecy, dream, or vision does not harmonize with the Bible or does not come to pass, then it is to be judged false and the person judged to be speaking by another spirit but not the Spirit of God. It is better for one man to be rebuked than for many to be deceived and led astray.
We must also mention the subtleness in judging dreams and visions whether they do come from the Lord or not. We put you in remembrance concerning the days of the first coming of the Messiah, our Lord Jesus Christ. In those days, many in Israel knew it was the season of the coming of the Messiah. Many Jews were even expecting him to come and liberate Israel from the hands of the Romans. As there were prophets, Pharisees, and scribes in Israel in those days, some in the land knew it was about time that the messiah should come as foretold by the prophets of old. Probably they understood this also from the books. Yet still, with all the foreknowledge they had, they did not recognize Him when He came and they rejected Him as their Messiah by crucifying Him as the prophets had foretold as a mystery in the Old Testament. But they had all the prophecies concerning Him written in their books! The Sepher Ha Torah had many literal prophecies concerning the Messiah! Yet the Pharisees who were supposed to understand the Law and teach the people stumbled as the stumbling stone. Even the high priest did not recognize Him of whom he himself was a shadow. They judged wrongly many of His doctrines and eventually delivered Him up to Pilate to be judged and crucified. This they did because of blindness to the truth. This is clear proof that one can have the Bible and read it and yet be blind. The main reason for blindness is either willful ignorance or lack of doing the truth. One that receives the truth of God’s word but yet continue to live contrary to the truth which he has received is blind. He can be easily deceived into making wrong judgments concerning prophetic dreams and visions of another. This is because of lack of fellowship with the Holy Spirit, who is the Spirit of truth and holiness. The Holy Spirit will not and cannot abide in anyone that practice sin in any form. This is why all saints must continually remain pure and undefiled before the Lord that they may have fellowship with the Spirit and continue in the truth.
There are possibly visions that do not contradict the Bible but yet seem that they cannot be confirmed with the Scriptures. This kind of visions and dreams is at the discretion of all saints to accept as truth or reject. Concerning this kind, we exhort all saints to diligently search the Scriptures by the help of the Holy Spirit to see if a truth is hidden in the Word of God concerning the message of such a vision or dream. If nothing is revealed in the Scripture concerning such, let all saints do as they are led by the Holy Ghost. If the vision is truly from God, it will testify of God’s holiness and everlasting love and His desire for His people to be like Him, having their fruit unto holiness and abiding in the love of Christ loving the brethren. It will condemn sin, testify of repentance, and exhort men to live a pure, holy and righteous life before God. If a vision fulfills all these conditions, there is reasonable probability that at least a part of it is of the truth.
We urge all saints among you not to give heed to seducing spirits and doctrines of devils. These are demons that seduce men to lead them astray and draw them into evil. They foster dreams, visions, and doctrines that urge departure from the faith. This results in departure from holy living, and acceptance of doctrines that could damn the soul in the end. Men who pretend inspiration and revelation and false teachers of all kinds are agents of demons. Every religion or doctrine that denies the reality of God, Christ, the Holy Spirit, the atonement, the death and bodily resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the reality of heaven and hell, the wages of sin as death, and the other fundamental doctrines of Scripture is not of God. Take heed what you hear and how you hear. For we are now in the days when many no longer endure sound doctrine (2 Tim 3:3). Sin and lust has increased on the earth and many gad about from church to church to find those who will not insist on their getting rid of sins and sinful pleasures. They have itching ears, desiring speakers who will tickle their ears and excuse their passions in the name of religion. They turn away their ears from truth which strips them of sin and demands their whole-hearted consecration to Christ (2 Tim 4:4). They turn to fables that pamper the flesh and condone sin. By doing these things, they gradually depart from the faith and backslide on God and yet many do this ignorantly. Backsliders usually fall by the sins of their former life. On these lines, the devil concentrates to bring about the fall of as many as he can. Therefore, be sober and vigilant and abide in the Lord always. Seek and pray for the lost. Avoid evil and hate sin. Put on the whole armor of God that you may be able to stand against all the wiles of the enemy and having done all to stand. And take heed that no man deceive or spoil you by vain visions and dreams that do not come from the Lord. Guard your heart and remain pure and holy in the Lord. Above all, put on charity and love all brethren. The coming of the Lord is at hand. Watch and be ready. Peace be to you all.
