Prophetic Dreams and Visions: “While You’re Wondering, God’s Working”

Have you ever wondered about the meaning of prophetic dreams or visions from God? The Holy Spirit often speaks in mysterious ways.

You know God is conveying an important message to you.

• But you don’t yet know what it means—or how you should respond.

Hear your Father say, ‘While you are wondering, I am working.’
Peter’s experience in Acts chapter 10 speaks to this powerfully.

A Vision Left Peter Perplexed

One day, God gave Peter a vision that left him confused. We read:

“Now while Peter wondered within himself what this vision which he had seen meant, behold, the men who had been sent from Cornelius had made inquiry for Simon’s house, and stood before the gate.”
(Acts 10:17, NKJV)

That Greek word translated ‘wondered’ is diapore (Strongs G1280) and means to be much perplexed, in doubt, puzzled, thoroughly nonplussed, or entirely at a loss! [1]

There will be times when, like Peter, we are perplexed by a prophetic insight.

The meaning of what our Father is saying and doing is still in the process of unfolding

When Dreams Leave Us Mystified

The Holy Spirit often speaks in mysteries, such as symbolic visions, dreams, or parables. He gives us fragments, or ‘snapshots’ of God’s plans. He gives us a small window into what our Father is up to.

Why does He do this? One of the reasons is, that our Father is drawing us after Him. God wants us to seek answers in our relationship with Him.

• It may be time for you to pray
• Or, this may be part of an ongoing conversation your Father wants to have with you

Let the mystery draw you into intimacy.
Mysteries leave us mystified, and a wonder will make us wonder until God reveals the meaning.
This may be for a short time, like Peter, or during a longer season.

Joseph’s Mysterious Dreams

• Joseph must have wondered for years what the dreams he received from God as a young man meant, and how they would be outworked.

If you find yourself perplexed, confused or troubled over what the Holy Spirit is saying, you are not alone.

Even the great men and women in Scripture had times when they struggled to comprehend what God was saying. And catch up with what God was doing.

Sometimes, that confusion was in others around them.

The Disciples Thought the Message Given by Angels was Nonsense

Mary Magdalene, Joanna, and others in a group of women returned from a visit to Jesus’ tomb with a message they received first-hand from angels (Luke 24).

‘Jesus is risen!’

Instead of rejoicing at this revelation, Jesus’ disciples expressed unbelief.

‘But they did not believe the women, because their words seemed to them like nonsense.’ (Luke 24:11 NIV)

The Greek word translated ‘nonsense’, leros (Strongs G3026) means idle tales, an incredible, unbelievable story. ‘Twaddle’! [2]

The revelation was true. It was real. It came with a heavenly visitation.

But for a time, the disciples were perplexed. They thought the women were speaking utter nonsense.

• They were yet to catch up with what God had already done

Others May Not Understand Our Dreams and Visions

At times, we are in the position of the women. We ‘know that we know’ what God has revealed to us. But there are significant others in our world, who do not see as we do. Yet.

For a season, people around us are perplexed, testing our faith and patience.

But God is at work in the background, bringing things to pass.

He has a way of bringing everything into alignment in His perfect timing.

The Answer was Already at His Door

While Peter was still confounded and perplexed about the vision, the answer was about to knock at his door (Acts 10:17).

Already, God had been speaking to and directing other people. Peter was catching up with what God was doing.
A vision or dream from God may leave you mystified for a season, but know that your Father is already at work.
You can anticipate Him revealing what he is up to, in His perfect timing.

Notes:
[1] See https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G1280&t=KJV

[2] See https://www.blueletterbible.org/lang/lexicon/lexicon.cfm?Strongs=G3026&t=KJV

Related Post:

While You are Waiting, God is Working

© 2018 Helen Calder – Enliven Blog
Enliven Ministries: Prophetic ministry for a revival generation

Helen Calder

Helen Calder is a prophetic minister and writer, and founder of Enliven Ministries. Helen has a unique gift of equipping in prophetic ministry and prayer. She is known for Enliven Blog (est. 2009), an online resource that reaches thousands of people globally.