Acts 2:17 – In the last days, God says, I will pour out my Spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your young men will see visions, your old men will dream dreams. (NIV)

When I was a young rookie pastor, I thought that prophecy was the greatest gift that God could ever give me. I wanted to interpret the times faithfully and show the church folks under my care what God was doing in the world. I felt that I had all the answers that they would ever need, and so long as they followed my teaching, everything would be perfect. After all, hadn't I just spent six years of intense theological training at Glasgow University? Didn't that mean that God would use me as His anointed prophetic leader to all the people, no matter where I was sent? And since I was convinced that we were all living in the last days, hadn't God promised that young men like me would see visions and go forth to prophesy?

Now that I am an old veteran pastor, I see things much differently. I dream more dreams, and each night during my sleep, there's always something new, something symbolic, something important to contemplate. My dreams are more vivid now than at any other time in my life. I don't know why this happens, but I am thankful to God for the mystery and the message that He brings to me in my sleep. So, what are my dreams about?

• I dream of a time when peace will outlive war.
• I dream of a planet restored to its Edenic beauty.
• I dream of a people who cast out fear and embrace love.
• I dream of young people who envision a brand-new world where poverty is eradicated, faith is respected, and bullies are corrected; where disease is diminished, cancer is conquered, and all lives are valued.
• I dream of a wonderful moment when heaven on earth becomes a reality.

Revelation 21:2-4 – I saw the Holy City, the new Jerusalem, coming down out of heaven from God, prepared as a bride beautifully dressed for her husband. And I heard a loud voice from the throne saying, "Now the dwelling of God is with men, and he will live with them. They will be his people, and God himself will be with them and be their God. He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away." (NIV)

Points to ponder: What do you dream about? How is God speaking to you through your dreams?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, thank You for the gift of dreams and the hopes that are yet to be realized. Bless us all with Your sacred presence each day, and especially during our sleep at night. In Your sacred name, we thankfully pray. Amen.

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About the author:

John Stuart <traqair@aol.com>
Knoxville, Tennessee, USA
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