Interpreting Dreams

A web-search for "dream interpretation" currently produces over 22,000,000 links. Most of these sites offer direction and advice that do not include the Giver of dreams—God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ. God gives the dreams, and God gives the interpretation, and His interpretations agree with His Word.

A word to the wise: dream interpretation is a skill that needs to be developed. Until you are skilled, be careful with your interpretation. Many lives have been ruined by following wrong interpretations.

To begin, here are five steps to follow as soon as you remember a dream:  

First, write the dream down. (Daniel 7:1). At first, you might remember only a few things and use only two sentences to describe the dream. But the more you practice this, the more details you will recall. It would not be unusual to write a full page on a very simple and short dream because of all the details that you will be able to remember.

Second, determine if the dream lines up with God’s Word. If the dream contradicts Scripture, disregard it! (1 Thess. 5:21) Many false religions and cults have been birthed from anti-Biblical dreams.

Fourth, ask Father for the interpretation (Luke 11:10).

Fifth, ask Father if there is anything you should do with the interpretation.

As you recall and record your dream, notice all you can, such as:

• Location
• Weather
• Animals
• Clothing
• Numbers
• People
• Spoken words
• Your emotions
• Intuitive reactions/knowledge
• Symbols
• Music
• Transportation
• Time or progression of time

After you've recalled as much of the dream as you can, Here are some keys to help you understand your dreams:  

What role did you play in the dream? If the dream centered on you, the interpretation is likely regarding you. If you played a “minor role”, the core of the interpretation is likely about someone else. If you were not in the dream, but simply viewed the events (usually from a high position looking down), the interpretation is about someone else.  

Give extra heed to dreams or similar dreams that are repeated over a period of time. God is trying to get your attention to have you understand something that is very important. (Note: this is not a double-dream.) 

A dream’s message that is immediately repeated in another dream (a double-dream) indicates that God has already ordained that thing and that it is going to happen (Genesis 41:32). 

When the symbol is in the natural realm, the interpretation is in the human realm. When Joseph dreamed of the sun, moon, and eleven stars bowing to him, his brothers immediately knew the meaning as referring to his father, mother, and brothers (Gen 37:9-11).

When the symbol is in the human realm (Dan 7:8), the interpretation is in the spiritual realm. God spoke directly to Mary through Gabriel (Luke 1:26-35); an angel appeared to Joseph in a dream (Matt 1:20-24). 

Most dreams speak with symbols: Seven cattle represented seven years (Genesis 41:26).  

God speaks in dreams to His people and to non-believers (Daniel 2:1–3, Genesis 41:15).  

When God speaks in riddles in a dream, He gives the interpretation only to His servants (for example: Genesis 40:8, Daniel 2:1–16). There is one exception to this “rule” that is recorded in the Bible. Judges 7:13–14 says that a Midianite told his friend a dream that he had. His friend, also a Midianite, told him the correct interpretation.  

Dreams are quickly forgotten; so catch them as soon as you wake up (Job 20:8).  

A dream that leaves you disturbed and shaken does not indicate that it’s from Satan (Daniel 7:15, 28). 

Prophetic dreams can come to pass within days (Genesis 40:16–22) or after many years (Genesis 37:5–7 and 42:6).                   

Foods, medications—anything you ingest—can play a significant role in what you dream (often called, “Pizza dreams”).

The same is true of illnesses and especially if a fever is present. If you are repeatedly having bad dreams, first check if there has been any recent changes or additions to your diet, or in your health.  

Here are five examples of dreams and their interpretations to help you see the language of dreams: 

You and a friend are swimming in water. You are doing the crawl across the top of the water and your friend is scuba diving near bottom of the deep lake.
Interpretation: Water is the Word (Ephesians 5:26). You are making your way through the surface, the basics, of the Word. Your friend is searching out the deep things of the Word through study and meditation.  

A giant sword comes out of the sky and cuts your neighbor’s house in half.
Interpretation: Judgment is coming to your neighbor because of sin and that family will be split apart.  

Your wife is pregnant, you know that you are not the father, but your wife is very content.
Interpretation: The father is the Father and He is about to birth a new and wondrous thing in your wife’s life.  

You’re driving on an unknown highway and your car catches fire and is soon engulfed with flames.
Interpretation: Your walk with God is moving you quickly and to new places with Him. He will surround you with the fire of His Spirit to cleanse you and to consume your enemies. 

You’re walking on a street that’s on an extremely steep hill. You struggle to not fall backwards and each step takes all your might. A large red 4x4 truck speeds up the hill with the greatest of ease and stops next to you.
Interpretation: Your walk with God seems very difficult and almost impossible for you. God sends His grace (the truck) and His forgiveness (red for blood) that can traverse anything, to come and carry you in your difficult time. His grace and forgiveness is ready and waiting.  

Dreams are often puzzling and require divine interpretation (Daniel 7:1–12). No matter how difficult it is to receive the interpretation, always remember: It is the glory of God to conceal a matter; to search out a matter is the glory of kings (Proverbs 25:2).

(This topic is discussed further in the Ears-2-Hear Teachings.)