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Dreams and Visions and Deception

Matjohluk

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I am not writing this to condemn anyone, but many need to be aware of the traps that snare the Body of Christ and deceive the innocent.


If we are aware that Satan deceived Eliphaz into thinking he (Satan) was God, applying his (Satan’s) words to Job that God had nothing to do with. And as we know that God harshly rebuked Eliphaz for being deceived by Satan and perpetrating his lie to Job.


On that note, nobody likes to admit that they have been conned.


God’s Word warns us all the time about Satan and his forces and that they want to con us into believing that God had given us a very precious possession or gift, and their greatest deceptions are dreams and visions.

We read in the newspaper of the con artists, liars and thieves who seek to defraud us, but we ignore the same report in God’s Word that Satan and his forces of con artists, liars, and thieves are trying to do the same to our Lord’s servants. Sadly, many are not aware of his tactics, and are not prepared to avoid his schemes, or avoid falling as a victim their deceptions

We are all aware of those worldly traps, such as: crooked sales people who defraud elderly people and rob them of their life's savings; corrupt businessmen who use false accounting to cheat investors and avoid taxes; and thieves breaking into our home and robbing us our possessions. Therefore, Satan and his forces are exactly the same.

But, we ignore the warnings that there is a thief and a liar who wants to steal, destroy, and kill the most valuable possession of all, our eternal life and our future as His servant. Satan and his forces are thieves and they “roam around like a roaring lion seeking whom they can devour” (1 Pet. 5:8). They work through deceptive practices, from pride to occultism of “white magic”, “seeking whom” they can turn (devour), God’s servants, away from the truth and God's Word, Way and Will.

We think because we are saved and Spirit-filled and faithful and religious that we cannot be deceived (see Matthew 24:24). Our Lord Jesus Christ revealed to us that the most pervasive forms of deception are found in religious practices. Paul warned the Corinthians against false ministers: "For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. And no wonder! For Satan transforms himself into an angel of light. Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works" (2 Cor.11:13–15); and the angel of light can also form false dreams and visions.

Yes, Satan has many strategies, schemes, and devices to deceive us, and dreams and visions are one such deception, particularly those who have been involved with séances, tarot cards, channeling, astrology and Ouija boards in their past lives.

Paul said: "lest Satan should take advantage of us; for we are not ignorant of his devices" (2 Cor. 2:11).

I always advise those people who have continually have dreams and/or visions to be very wary as many see our Lord Jesus Christ, appearing to them with long hair and dark eyes as commonly portrayed in paintings. Now whether our Lord Jesus Christ had long hair is debatable, because Paul wrote: "Doth not even nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" (1 Cor. 11:14, KJV).

Now it’s a known fact that our Lord Jesus Christ escaped out of crowds on several occasions, because He looked like the average Jew of His day, therefore, His hair must have been short. Many have been taught that our Lord Jesus Christ had long hair because he was a “Nazarite.” History shows that short hair on men has been around for a long time, and at the time of our Lord Jesus Christ it was the accepted and general custom. Now, if anyone disbelieves that they go and check out all the famous busts and statues of the time, they are all portrayed with short hair, the same as we are today.

But, there are ancient documents that were written a long time after our Lord Jesus Christ claiming that he had long hair, which hadn’t been cut since childhood. I challenge that because he was a Rabbi and a Jew, and he wasn’t a Nazarite.

SO, I say to all, do not be deceived by dreams, visions, or appealing messages, because John wrote: "Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world" (1 John 4:1), which means that many dreams, visions, and messages can be of a deceiving spirit, such as the angel of light.

Satan and his forces will use dreams, visions and "miracles" to deceive God’s elect: “And he deceives those who dwell on the earth by those signs (dreams, visions, and messages) which he was granted to do in the sight of the beast, telling those who dwell on the earth to make an image to the beast who was wounded by the sword and lived" (Read Revelation 13:11–14).

So, I warn those who have dreams and visions and messages to test the spirits, and if they continue to have these confusing dream, then we need to take it to our Lord Jesus Christ in prayer and ask Him to take them away from them if they are not of Him. Also, we need to realise that our Almighty God would be definite and precise, not confusing, and not symbolic.

Be aware, beware, and don’t be unaware.
 

ByTheSpirit

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I like the painting "Prince of Peace". Seems very plausible to me.
 

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Messy

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I always advise those people who have continually have dreams and/or visions to be very wary as many see our Lord Jesus Christ, appearing to them with long hair and dark eyes as commonly portrayed in paintings. Now whether our Lord Jesus Christ had long hair is debatable, because Paul wrote: "Doth not even nature itself teach you that if a man have long hair, it is a shame unto him?" (1 Cor. 11:14, KJV).

Now it’s a known fact that our Lord Jesus Christ escaped out of crowds on several occasions, because He looked like the average Jew of His day, therefore, His hair must have been short.

Funny, last year I asked the Lord if He wanted me to go back to my first ex, second ex or marry another guy and He said: Marry Me, time is short. They were marrying and giving into marriage and I said: If that's really what You want at least I want it to be romantic and I want to see Your Face. So that night I had a dream of Him and me on a boat and He was the Kaptain and I looked at His Face, it was behind two wooden things, like a cross and He did have a short beard and short hair I remember.
 
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Messy

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In the last days your old men shall dream dreams. We just have to test them.
One guy here on the dream forums had a dream about God the Father and God the Son, two white persons, you can't see the Father. Jesus is the Representation of the Father.
 
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ByTheSpirit

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Hebrews 1:1-2

"In the past God spoke to our ancestors through the prophets at many times and in various ways, but in these last days he has spoken to us by his Son, whom he appointed heir of all things, and through whom also he made the universe."

Ephesians 4:11-13
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

Acts 10:1-13
1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. 9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

Revelation 1:1
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

So what your saying is that Jesus can't make up His mind if He does or doesn't want to give His saints, dreams and visions and such... Hmmm what a coinkydink...
 
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Steeno7

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Ephesians 4:11-13
So Christ himself gave the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, the pastors and teachers, 12to equip his people for works of service, so that the body of Christ may be built up 13until we all reach unity in the faith and in the knowledge of the Son of God and become mature, attaining to the whole measure of the fullness of Christ.

2 Corinthians 12:1-4
1I must go on boasting. Although there is nothing to be gained, I will go on to visions and revelations from the Lord. 2I know a man in Christ who fourteen years ago was caught up to the third heaven. Whether it was in the body or out of the body I do not know—God knows. 3And I know that this man—whether in the body or apart from the body I do not know, but God knows— 4was caught up to paradise and heard inexpressible things, things that no one is permitted to tell.

Acts 10:1-13
1At Caesarea there was a man named Cornelius, a centurion in what was known as the Italian Regiment. 2He and all his family were devout and God-fearing; he gave generously to those in need and prayed to God regularly. 3One day at about three in the afternoon he had a vision. He distinctly saw an angel of God, who came to him and said, “Cornelius!” 4Cornelius stared at him in fear. “What is it, Lord?” he asked. The angel answered, “Your prayers and gifts to the poor have come up as a memorial offering before God. 5Now send men to Joppa to bring back a man named Simon who is called Peter. 6He is staying with Simon the tanner, whose house is by the sea.” 7When the angel who spoke to him had gone, Cornelius called two of his servants and a devout soldier who was one of his attendants. 8He told them everything that had happened and sent them to Joppa. 9About noon the following day as they were on their journey and approaching the city, Peter went up on the roof to pray. 10He became hungry and wanted something to eat, and while the meal was being prepared, he fell into a trance. 11He saw heaven opened and something like a large sheet being let down to earth by its four corners. 12It contained all kinds of four-footed animals, as well as reptiles and birds. 13Then a voice told him, “Get up, Peter. Kill and eat.”

Revelation 1:1
The revelation from Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show his servants what must soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,

So what your saying is that Jesus can't make up His mind if He does or doesn't want to give His saints, dreams and visions and such... Hmmm what a coinkydink...

Are you one of the unique chosen Apostles? The very ones who have given us what Jesus has spoken?
 
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ByTheSpirit

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Are you one of the unique chosen Apostles? The very ones who have given us what Jesus has spoken?

I don't know if I am or not, but I know Cornelius wasn't an Apostle... Nor was Ananias (man who baptized Saul), nor was Stephen (saw into Heaven)...
 
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Steeno7

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I don't know if I am or not, but I know Cornelius wasn't an Apostle... Nor was Ananias (man who baptized Saul), nor was Stephen (saw into Heaven)...

All I am saying is that dreams are fickle things, that can be influenced by any number of other things. I wouldn't hang my hat on a dream, that would be a wobbly peg indeed.
 
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ByTheSpirit

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All I am saying is that dreams are fickle things, that can be influenced by any number of other things. I wouldn't hang my hat on a dream, that would be a wobbly peg indeed.

Well of course not, no one should "hang their hat" on a dream. That's what the OP is saying... BUT to discount ALL dreams because it's easier to do so than to discern them and see if God is trying to say something to us through them is wrong. Even if one has a dream that is not prophetic in nature, it can be encouraging and inspiring, and that in itself can be a dream from God to help us. I would beware of attributing anything to a bad piece of meat or crazy behavior in place of God Almighty, until you know for certain it is not from Him. As always, test them, discern them, pray over them. If they are of God there will be confirmation...
 
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Alive_Again

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It's important to get cleaned up if people have been involved in the deeper things of Satan. It's important that every believer become familiar with how to judge (by the Spirit) and take heed to what's written in the Word about testing, vigilance, etc.

At the same time, dreams and visions are a promise of God that should be embraced, agreed with and expected. But you've got to test it out by the fruits. Get godly counsel if you're unsure.

The best way to avoid deception is to walk closely with your Shepherd, because there is where the rod and the staff are nearest, and the wolves are furthest.
 
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HisSparkPlug

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Well of course not, no one should "hang their hat" on a dream. That's what the OP is saying... BUT to discount ALL dreams because it's easier to do so than to discern them and see if God is trying to say something to us through them is wrong. Even if one has a dream that is not prophetic in nature, it can be encouraging and inspiring, and that in itself can be a dream from God to help us. I would beware of attributing anything to a bad piece of meat or crazy behavior in place of God Almighty, until you know for certain it is not from Him. As always, test them, discern them, pray over them. If they are of God there will be confirmation...
Another great post full of truth.
The bible says the Lord speaks to us through dark sayings, similitudes, parables, metaphors & symbols.
This is why we may think a dream is foolish but in reality we aren't viewing them with spiritual eyes. God uses the foolish things to confound the wise (in their own eyes).

It is good to test every dream or vision we have as we are instructed by the scriptures to do so. But it is wrong to foolishly discount everything.

Balance = It's all about balance.
 
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HisSparkPlug

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It's important to get cleaned up if people have been involved in the deeper things of Satan. It's important that every believer become familiar with how to judge (by the Spirit) and take heed to what's written in the Word about testing, vigilance, etc.

At the same time, dreams and visions are a promise of God that should be embraced, agreed with and expected. But you've got to test it out by the fruits. Get godly counsel if you're unsure.

The best way to avoid deception is to walk closely with your Shepherd, because there is where the rod and the staff are nearest, and the wolves are furthest.
A huge AMEN to this balanced view.
 
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