Prophecy, Visions, and Dreams from the Holy Spirit
David W Palmer
(Acts 2:17 NKJV) “And it shall come to pass in the last days, says God, That I will pour out of My Spirit on all flesh; Your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, Your young men shall see visions, Your old men shall dream dreams.”
This amazing and fascinating prophetic promise was first spoken by the Old Testament prophet Joel, and then repeated here on the day its fulfillment began. As we read it, we see that immediately after mentioning the Holy Spirit’s outpouring, God’s word states that prophecy, visions, and dreams will be the consequences.
We often talk of the gift of speaking and praying in tongues as the initial evidence of having been baptized (completely immersed) in the Holy Spirit. And this is true; so we should never forget it or fail to enact it. But, we hear very little about the main or ongoing evidences of being filled with or overwhelmed in the Holy Spirit and his power. What are they?
As God’s Spirit is called the Holy Spirit, or Spirit of Holiness, we should rightly expect that holiness is a primary and ongoing fruit of having him at work in and through us—controlling out tongues and lives. This accords with his manifestations in the gifts and fruit of the Spirit (See: 1 Cor. 12:7–11, Gal. 5:22–23). They, along with his other work in our lives—leading us into truth, comforting us, showing us things to come, bringing revelation, etc.—certainly are holy; they define holiness.
However, in our opening passage, which announces the outpouring, we see that as well as prophecy he also mentions visions and dreams. This shows not only that these are both holy, but they are the language of the Holy Spirit.
Both visions and dreams are revelations from the supernatural spirit realm—from God, via the Holy Spirit. They are prophetic in nature and may convey a range of revelations—from things God wants to reveal, communicate, have done, or have materialized in the natural realm through faith and obedience. But in essence, prophecies, visions, and dreams are revelations:
(1 Corinthians 2:9–10 NKJV) But as it is written: “Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, Nor have entered into the heart of man The things which God has prepared for those who love Him.” {10} But God has revealed them to us through His Spirit. For the Spirit searches all things, yes, the deep things of God.
From this, we see that revelation from God does not come from him to us through our five physical senses: taste, touch, hearing, seeing, or smelling. No, God speaks to us in our spirit via his Spirit or angels:
(Proverbs 20:27 NKJV) The spirit of a man is the lamp of the LORD, Searching all the inner depths of his heart.
Today, God promises to pour out his Holy Spirit on you until you are filled, overflowing, and completely overwhelmed with his Holy power, glory, and manifested presence. This is his desire for you. No doubt, this will give you an opportunity to receive his priceless gift of speaking and praying in tongues; but it will also give him access to your life to convey his revelations to you: prophecies, visions, dreams, the fruit of the spirit, the gifts of the spirit, guidance into truth, and showing you things to come. Amazing.
This passage goes on to say that only God’s Spirit knows the deep things of his heart:
(1 Corinthians 2:11 NKJV) For what man knows the things of a man except the spirit of the man which is in him? Even so no one knows the things of God except the Spirit of God.
In giving us his Holy Spirit, God has given us direct access to his heart, his truth, his intentions, his love, and his insights, etc. For us to understand the full extent of this amazing opportunity will take all of eternity. For now, we would do well to accept his wonderful gift and simply thank and praise him for it.
