Dreams, Visions, and signs (Can Christians see visions in 2023?)

2 Peter 1:19-20 King James Version

¹⁹ We have also a more sure word of prophecy; whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts:

²⁰ Knowing this first, that no prophecy of the scripture is of any private interpretation.

I once dated a girl who believed that God had spoken to her in both visions and dreams, something she believed was a gift from God. She said these dreams had to do with future events or the end times, as the Bible calls them. I did not argue with her or give her my thoughts from the Bible about why I didn’t agree with her or even believed what she said. Normally, I try to avoid discussions with women about touchy subjects, especially if I just started dating them. I save the debates for later on, after 8 or 9 dates. That was the same plan I had for this girl in the beginning stages of our relationship. Her belief about Christians being able to talk to God in dreams and visions sounded strange to me; It flabbergasted me. However, this wasn’t the first time I met someone who believed in this form of doctrine. A Pentecostal friend of mine back in the day also said he communicated with God through what he believed was a sign from God. Most Charismatic/Pentecostal churches teach extra-biblical doctrines about Bible prophecy. These are the same people who base their conviction on feelings and emotions, but never on the word of God.

I am going to be blunt with you, and you’re probably not going to like this. I don’t believe Christians can see visions and signs from God in 2023. You are probably asking, “But John, I believe God spoke to me in a dream and it doesn’t go against the Bible.” Well, let me tell you this: it goes against scripture. Here’s why-

Revelation 22:18-19 King James Version

¹⁸ For I testify unto every man that heareth the words of the prophecy of this book, If any man shall add unto these things, God shall add unto him the plagues that are written in this book:

¹⁹ And if any man shall take away from the words of the book of this prophecy, God shall take away his part out of the book of life, and out of the holy city, and from the things which are written in this book.

The Lord said if you add or take out from the word, then He will curse you and reprobate you for doing it. People who add to the Bible are in grave danger and God will judge those who mess with the Book. Those who wrote the NIV are in danger as well. They removed many important passages of scripture from the word of God and this makes the Lord angry. Therefore, if someone claims to receive a prophecy from God, they are adding to the word of God, and they’re doomed. The only prophecy we preach and teach about comes from within the Holy Book, and we do not look for an extra revelation outside the Bible. Most of the time, we find people who prophesy about signs and wonders to be liars. Why is that? Because their prophecies never come to pass. They usually never take place. Don’t forget, God placed a death penalty on those that prophesy deceitfully-

Deuteronomy 18:20-22 King James Version

²⁰ But the prophet, which shall presume to speak a word in my name, which I have not commanded him to speak, or that shall speak in the name of other gods, even that prophet shall die.

²¹ And if thou say in thine heart, How shall we know the word which the Lord hath not spoken?

²² When a prophet speaketh in the name of the Lord, if the thing follow not, nor come to pass, that is the thing which the Lord hath not spoken, but the prophet hath spoken it presumptuously: thou shalt not be afraid of him.

It should be a red flag when someone tells us, “God told me this in a dream”, especially if it’s in the name of another god. How will we know if someone is a false prophet? How will we be able to determine if it’s true or not? Verse 22 tells us that if someone prophesies an event and it doesn’t come to pass, then they are a wolf. God told us not to be afraid of him.

I once had a friend in high school who was planning to join the Navy after graduation, but many things had gotten in the way. His recruiter kept switching the narrative with him every time they had a meeting, setting him a different starting for when he would attend bootcamp. Things got annoying after a while and it made him feel discouraged it. It came to a point where he just wanted to give up and quit his dreams of serving in the Navy. So he ended up meeting with a “prophet” in his church to inquire about the future of his career. The “prophet” told him, “Don’t worry. In two months, you will be in bootcamp training for your service.” Well, two months went by and it never happened. Friend, that is what you call a lying, false prophet, and you should avoid each one of them.

You’re probably asking, “Brother John, why do you believe God does not speak to us in dreams anymore?” It is simple, friend. The Bible is COMPLETE. As I’ve stated, Revelation 22:18-19 tells us not to add or take out from the word of God. Why is that the case? Because the Bible is a complete book, from Genesis to Revelation, and we don’t need another revelation from God. Only the prophets and apostles had received signs from God. This is because the Bible wasn’t written fully during that time period. John, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, wrote Revelation in 95 A.D. Since then, there was no other revelation from God. PERIOD. When you say, “God told me this catastrophic event will take place on November 10, 2023”, you’ve automatically added to the word of God. That is DANGEROUS. Maybe you’re reading this and you disagree with me: let’s look at several scriptures from the Bible and see who is actually wrong.

Deuteronomy 4:2  Ye shall not add unto the word which I command you, neither shall ye diminish ought from it, that ye may keep the commandments of the LORD your God which I command you. 

Deuteronomy 12:32  What thing soever I command you, observe to do it: thou shalt not add thereto, nor diminish from it. 

Proverbs 30:6  Add thou not unto his words, lest he reprove thee, and thou be found a liar. 

Matthew 15:6  And honour not his father or his mother, he shall be free. Thus have ye made the commandment of God of none effect by your tradition. 
Matthew 15:7  Ye hypocrites, well did Esaias prophesy of you, saying, 
Matthew 15:8  This people draweth nigh unto me with their mouth, and honoureth me with their lips; but their heart is far from me. 
Matthew 15:9  But in vain they do worship me, teaching for doctrines the commandments of men. 

I will also say this: even the devil does signs and wonders which come in the form of LIES.

2 Thessalonians 2:9

“Even him, whose coming is after the working of Satan with all power and signs and lying wonders,”

King James Version (KJV)

Friend, I would be careful if I were you because the devil is the father of all lies. You may think God spoke to you through a sign of some sort, but it could just be a trick of the enemy. Satan’s lies are being taught in the public schools as well; they’re even broadcasted on television (CNN). The devil could even quote scriptures to you just like he did to Jesus, but cunningly twisting it, causing the ignorant believer to fall prey to his devices. Brethren, be sober and vigilant. God bless you all.

Check out my Shopify store-

https://jrbaptist1769.myshopify.com/