Testing the spirits

We need to exercise prayerful, godly discernment in assessing the authenticity and reliability of these dreams. We have to judge such things by the plumb line of the Word of God. We are instructed that: “the testimony of Jesus is the spirit of prophecy.”[1] We understand that there will be a great outpouring of the Holy Spirit in the last day: “I will pour out My Spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see visions.”[2] We are exhorted to “hear what the Spirit says to the churches”[3] and warned, “Beloved, do not believe every spirit, but test the spirits, whether they are of God; because many false prophets have gone out into the world.”[4] We need to assess what is presented with the attitude described in 1 Thessalonians 5:19- 21, “Do not quench the Spirit. Do not despise prophecies. Test all things; hold fast what is good.” We also should appreciate the broad similarity in these two parallel dreams, as we are instructed, “by the mouth of two or three witnesses every word may be established.”[5] Even if you are among the sceptical, I would encourage you to watch the two presentations. Ponder upon whether there is a witness in your spirit to their validity, or if they fit into the category described by the prophet Jeremiah, those who “prophesy to you a false vision, divination, a worthless thing, and the deceit of their heart.”[6] This discernment is vital as the return of the Bridegroom fast approaches.  When the disciples asked Jesus for the signs of His coming, His first response was to instruct them to be wary of deception.[7] We are warned to avoid false teachers by Paul, those who: “... teach otherwise, and consent not to wholesome words, even the words of our Lord Jesus Christ, and to the doctrine which is according to godliness.”[8]

[1] Revelation 19:10

[2] Joel 2:28

[3] Revelation 2:7

[4] 1 John 4:1

[5] Matthew 18:16

[6] Jeremiah 14:14

[7] Matthew 24:4

[8] 1 Timothy 6:3-5

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Scripture taken from the New King James Version®.