Several Muslims have mentioned in conversations that Jesus appeared and spoke to them in their dreams. For some, it led them on a journey to salvation. However, some Christian friends have questioned this, and some have asked for my thoughts on the matter.
In today's Western society, many people, including some who identify as Christians, do not believe that dreams or visions have significant meaning. Some even attribute them to something as trivial as a greasy pizza eaten the night before. In contrast, Eastern societies tend to have a different perspective on spiritual matters. Many individuals, including Muslims, hold a belief in the significance of dreams and visions.
The Scriptures mention dreams and visions, assuring that in the last days, both young and old will see them (Acts 2:17; Joel 2:28).
Dreams and visions in the Bible
The Scriptures do show God using dreams and visions at times:
- Joseph (Genesis 37).
- Daniel (Daniel 2).
- Joseph (Matthew 1:20; 2:13).
- Pilate’s wife (Matthew 27:19).
- Peter’s vision (Acts 10:9-23).
- Paul’s vision (Acts 16:9).
So, biblically, God can speak through dreams. But dreams were never meant to replace God’s revealed Word. They usually pointed people toward God’s truth, not away from it.
The Bible as the Final Authority
The Bible emphasizes that God’s Word is the sure foundation:
- “All Scripture is God-breathed and useful for teaching…” (2 Timothy 3:16).
- “Do not go beyond what is written” (1 Corinthians 4:6).
Even if someone has a dramatic dream, it should be evaluated against Scripture. If the dream encourages someone to read and follow the Gospel, it can be viewed as God's way of drawing them to Christ (John 6:44).
Test the Spirits
John warns: “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits to see whether they are from God” (1 John 4:1).
The key test: Does the dream glorify Jesus as Lord, Savior, and Son of God? Or does it reduce Him to something less? If the dream points them to a “Jesus” who is not the Christ of the Bible, then it is not from God (2 Corinthians 11:4).
From Dreams to the Gospel
There is something more important here to consider:
- If Jesus appeared to you in a dream, maybe He is inviting you to open the Gospel and discover who He truly is.
- God has given His written Word as the clearest and safest revelation of Christ (John 20:31).
So, instead of debating whether the dream was “real” or not, let’s encourage them with words like: “God may be nudging you to read the Injil (Gospel), because that’s where you’ll see the full picture of Jesus.”
Conclusion:
- Dreams may stir the heart, but the Bible confirms the truth.
- Encourage testing dreams by Scripture.
- Use it as an open door to introduce them to the Jesus of the Gospels.
- The Bible is the Criterion. If a dream is contradictory to a Biblical text, we should reject it.