Nougat 1

Peter’s idea of God’s eschaton was truly universal. We may conclude that God’s Spirit led him, as narratives of his initial post-Pentecost ministry suggest that he still maintained a few prejudices. Yet, in that moment, as he spoke under the conviction of God’s Spirit, Peter offered a view of God’s reign that included everyone. Male and female, old and young. Can you imagine if we were to live like that in our places of worship today? More about this idea in Today’s Holy Nougat

Acts 2:17 CEVDCI

[17] “When the last days come, I will give my Spirit to everyone. Your sons and daughters will prophesy. Your young men will see visions, and your old men will have dreams.

Sent … With Prophesying, Visions, and Dreams 4

No, this is not to suggest that the older folks will only be sleeping in places of worship. Nor should we hear this as disengagement of the elders. Although dreams occur during sleep (while visions tend to occur in waking moments), these are not typical dreams. Rather, these are prophetic dreams, also originating from God.

Many cultures valorise dreams. Some traditions have standardised interpretations of dreams to the extent that spiritual significance is added to particular types of dreams. Hence, a metaphorical system is used for interpretations – fish being a sign for pregnancy, new houses for death, etc.

Point to Ponder

Are there accepted dream symbols in our culture? Do we agree with such?

Digging Deeper

Probably because it is so widely accepted in many cultures, dreams are not accorded much prominence in some worship spaces. Yet, we see Daniel interpreting the king’s dream in Babylon, and it catapulted him into prominence (while saving so many lives). Matthew 27:19 recounts Pilate’s wife insisting that her husband separate himself from the trial of Y’shua in response to a dream she had. She was not a Christ-chaser by any stretch of the imagination, but God spoke directly to her.

Some scholars suggest that it is far easier for us to process during our sleep, as the body and mind are less easily distracted. When we add the layer of reduced responsibilities in the labour force, it is perhaps most natural that elders dream dreams. They are less affected by life and are likely to ask God for interpretations of dreams that are not typical.

We note that dreams are included in the apostles’ spiritual landscape. Dreams led to the inclusion of Gentiles in the family of faith. Acts 9-11 clearly recounts dreams that included Saul’s training under Ananias, as well as Cornelius and Peter both being influenced by God’s Spirit through dreams to ensure that Cornelius’ spiritual accompaniment. By this we infer that God sends and appoints us for ministering to others through dreams.

In many spaces where the Five-fold Ministry is recognised, dreams and visions are included among the prophetic gifts. It suggests that in contemporary settings, elders are still entrusted to be visionaries. They carry the blessing of wisdom and/or experience, enhanced by fresh futuristic divinely inspired insights. It would do us good to attend to them.

Further, we recognise that dreams offer hope, and are reminders that God still has plans. Interestingly, the Hebrew ‘_chalam_’ refers not only to dreams, but also to health, strength, and recovery. Could it be that in the last days elders and youth will together usher in renewal and revival for God’s reign? This would confirm Psalm 126:1’s message of Israel’s restoration as evidence of God’s mercy.

As God’s sent people, are we open to God communicating through our subconscious during slumber? What are we doing to ensure that we are positioned to hear God’s voice? Be it through dreams, visions, or prophetic utterances, God calls us to rise up and be counted as the ‘sent’. May those who are dying to hear God’s message live to hear us who are sent to them.

Self-Check

How intentional are we in preparing ourselves to be sent with the gospel of Christ?

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May all we seek be found in Christ