- Dreams and visions
- Understanding the times we live in
Dreams and Visions
The truth about dreams and visions is that they are not one and the same but dreams contain visions and not vice-versa. This can be clearly seen in the book of Daniel (ch.7:1) which states that Daniel had a dream and that visions passed through his mind. So, visions passed through his mind while he dreamt.
One of the tools that God has given man to know future is DREAMS. Without dreams we will be left with the only option of seeing God face-to-face which is very hard for us because we as humans don't have the capacity to see God through our flesh. So, dreams act as a spiritual tool to help us see and know God who is in the Spirit.
Understanding the times we live in
Here, in this chapter, Daniel has a dream in which God reveals to him the future through visions. In a nutshell the passage says that Daniel was given the vision of 4 kingdoms that would arise on the earth and how, in the end, all of them would be destroyed and God's kingdom be established for ever and ever.
As I pondered on the implication of this chapter, I came to understand that we are in the living during the time of the 4th kingdom (final one). The scripture says in verse 7 that this is the only kingdom (of the four) that looks frightening and terrifying. I also understood that this kingdom does not have a single ruler but ten (horns) and that one small horn would overpower three others. And, as I thought, I felt that though there are ten rulers, the ultimate authority of this kingdom would rest with the small horn.
So what is this small supposed to mean here? And as I was battling with this question, the answer dawned on me - it was MINORITY.
If you take a look at our world today, it consists of many small groups of people (minorities) who are starting to taking centre stage. A classic example is Gay rights and its subsequent attack on religious systems. These groups which were earlier aberrations, have slowly started to gain popularity and are echoing their views more loudly than before. And this trend only seems to be increasing day-after-day. These groups will slowly start to influence future policy decisions beginning with commercial issues to ethical and moral issues for e.g., marriage, abortion and family.
There are two disturbing facts about the minorities taking centre stage. One is, it will last for time, times and a half (verse 25). And the second is that the servants of the Most High will be trampled upon.
However, the consoling part is that God will take away this beast's power and He Himself will reign and rule for ever and ever. So, I would like to exhort you to understand the times and live according to the truth.
Be Blessed in Jesus' Name
