The following is an actual dream from a Pastor who is in the process of starting a local church. Here it is:
I got home from a trip or something and we were in this new apartment. I could tell that we live there now but it was a very strange place. The weirdest thing about it was that the apartment was loaded with pets...My wife had the house full of pets... strange pets... We had a goat in the kitchen - he was tied to a large fruit basket. When I untied him to say hello and play with him, he got so excited that he peed on the bed. We had two huge beds in the room, I don't know why. We had a huge fish tank in the house with all kinds of fish. Then the strangest one - we had a skunk... But he was gorgeous... The skunk was actually bright yellow and his tail was orange. He was the coolest looking animal I've ever seen- he didn't smell and I remember my wife telling me he was the friendliest thing around. When I sat down he came to me and was kissing my hand... He was bright yellow and orange... There were more animals there but I couldn't remember them when I woke up... I can't even start to imagine what all that means.
It is clearly obvious that this dream makes no sense unless it is interpreted. There is very little in it that can be taken literally. Let’s first divide the dream into the categories I discussed in the previous lessons.
1) DREAM SETTING: The setting for the dream is a new apartment. The Pastor and has wife were in the process of planting a new church. An apartment or house is symbolic of the dream subject’s life. I believe the new apartment symbolizes the new church plant which is a new and prominent aspect of their life
2) DREAM SYMBOLS: There were a number of animals used symbolically in this dream. I feel that the animals are representative of the different categories of people who will be coming to this church. I will now look at them one by one and then put it all together.
a) Goat = A goat can be unruly and hard to manage. At first I saw this as a negative symbol but then I realized that the goat was tied to a bowl of fruit. Fruit represents the positive consequences of the Holy Spirit working through a believer’s life. (John 15: 1-8) He didn’t seem mean or evil but he was messy as he “peed on the bed”. I believe that the goat represented people who would come into the church needing a lot of guidance and discipleship. Although they may be hard to manage, it will be worth the work because they will bare fruit for the Kingdom of God. Perhaps the reason the goat was in the kitchen was because he was eating and drinking of the Word and the Spirit.
b) Fish = Fish are typically symbolic of souls who have come into the Kingdom. (Mark 1:17) In the dream there were all kinds of fish. In this church there will be people from various ethnic groups, social strata and economic levels.
c) Skunk = A skunk is symbolic of someone who fouls up the atmosphere with sin. This skunk however was friendly and beautiful. I interpret this to mean that the skunk appeared to be something that he wasn’t. This speaks to me of people who will come into the church and give the appearance of being holy and loving but yet they are still “skunks”. Note the skunk’s colors: bright yellow and orange. Orange often means danger or warning. Bright yellow can sometimes
symbolically say: “Slow down and be cautious.” (as when a traffic light turns yellow) These skunks may be false prophets or people living totally hypocritical lifestyles.
* Both yellow and orange can have several symbolic meanings, but in looking at the context and in seeking the Lord, I was impressed to assign the meanings I just discussed. Perhaps you will see even deeper meanings that I might have missed.
There were also 2 big beds in the apartment. A bed speaks of God’s peace and rest to those who receive salvation.
(Matthew 11:28-29) It is also symbolic of intimacy with the Lord. (Song of Solomon 1:4) I believe that the beds are pointing to many troubled and wearied people who will come to the church and find rest in the Lord through a relationship with Jesus.
3) DREAM SUBJECT: I believe that the dream subject in this dream is the Pastor who dreamed it. The dream seems to contain a message for him. I see no reason to assign symbolic meaning to his presence in the dream.
4) DREAM MESSAGE: The dream is a message of both encouragement and warning. The Lord is encouraging this pastor of a new church plant that he will bring many people into the church of all different backgrounds. Even those who are difficult to pastor at first will bear fruit. It is also a warning to use discernment, as some will come in deceptively.
5) DREAM SOURCE: The source of this dream is clearly the Lord. The enemy does not bring encouragement or warning.
Rather, the kingdom of darkness will release discouragement and fear. Many times when Satan is the source of a dream, you will wake up with a feeling of despair, hopelessness or depression.
I also didn’t feel that this was a soulish dream. In putting all of the pieces together the Lord made it clear to me that this was a message from Him. A dream that originates from a dreamer’s mind or emotions will typically reveal inner needs, drives and conflicts. This dream was all about ministering to others.
This dream shows how dream interpretation can be a powerful tool in hearing and understanding what the Lord is saying. If this pastor had cast this dream aside as foolishness or the result of too many tacos for dinner he would have missed out on a powerful message from the Lord.
APPLICATION
Once you have interpreted a dream, what should you do with the revelation? The answer to the question depends on the situation. If the subject of your dream is someone other than you, and you discern that the dream source is the Lord, then you need to ask God when and how to present it to that person.
Sometimes, when the Lord gives you prophetic revelation, He wants you just to pray for the person and not say anything.
It is also important to be very careful if you feel your dream is giving direction to an individual. Many lives have been damaged by misspoken prophetic words of direction telling them to change ministries, quit their jobs, marry a certain person, etc. If you do feel that the message of a dream gives direction for someone other than yourself, really seek the Lord about whether your interpretation needs to be shared.
If you are strongly impressed that you need to share your message, then go to a church leader or pastor. In that way there is accountability and safety. If the leader tells you not to share the interpretation, then you need to submit to his or her authority. (See Hebrews 13:17)
This is also true if you feel that your dream is a word of direction for a church. Share the word with the pastor. Never go around to people in a congregation and share your interpretation with them. This can cause division and rebellion and believe me when I tell you, it happens. This is a wrong use of prophetic ministry because you are moving outside the realm of authority the Lord has given you. If the Lord directs you to share an interpretation with an individual or a group of people and you do so, then you have fulfilled your responsibility (other than keeping it in prayer.) If your interpretation is ignored, then leave it at that. Don’t keep badgering people if you feel they have not heeded your words. Conviction is the work of the Holy Spirit (See Ezekiel 33:7-9)
*If we stay within biblical guidelines, then dream interpretation will be safe and fruitful. If we move outside of these boundaries we can cause great harm and even ruin lives and ministries.
If the Lord gives you a dream with a message for yourself, it is not always wise to share it. Gen 37:1-11 tells us that
Also, make sure that if you do reveal your dream to others, it is never out of a wrong motive such as pride or a need for attention or recognition. Always be led by the Spirit.