In this dream I was backstage at a theater. The audience was settling into their seats, anticipating the start of a performance.
A man came to me and said “we will begin our performance shortly”. Concerned, I realized that my fellow performers and I were not prepared; we had never even once practiced our roles!
Highly offended that we should be expected to perform under such circumstances, I emphatically exclaimed that we were being asked to do what we had never done before, and by reason of lack of experience, we would fail!
The man replied, “Yes, you can do it. I’ve done it many times and it’s been fine; it has turned out well.”
I answered, “Prove to me in writing, that it works!” Then, not waiting for his response, I angrily turned away from him and headed for the exit door.
End of dream –
Follow up dream a few nights later: Again, I and a few others were on the backstage of a theatre. As in the previous dream, with no preparation or practice, each of us was soon to perform before an audience.
It came my turn, but I’d not even been provided with the script. Feeling a bit panicked and needing direction, I looked on the wall where we would normally find the script posted, but there was no document.
In a chair just off of the stage sat an older gentleman with a notebook in his lap. He was acting as a “prompter”, providing each person with their lines and instruction, just as we were to go onto the stage and perform them.
I was agitated and argumentative with the prompter, angry because we were not given instruction or an opportunity to practice before being asked to perform in front of an expectant audience. I was fearful of looking the fool and failing in my assignment.
He briefly listened to my complaining, then merely smiled and proceeded to provide me with my lines and what I was to do.
End of dream –
Interpretation:
The theater represents the “stage” of life. Our light will shine brightly as we reflect the glory of God to others, or will never be seen, due to our indifference, laziness, cowardice or refusal to step into a role for which Satan tells us we’re “not adequately prepared”.
The “audience” are people who watch and wait to see how the “next act” in the drama plays out… Soon, many who now ignore, discredit or even hate Christians, will in desperation seek those of us who walk in Jesus’ power, authority and spiritual peace, those whom they see doing the miraculous in Jesus’ name (consider it end times triage). [John 14:12, Mark 16:15-20]
The man in both dreams represents the Holy Spirit. He is telling us that we are needed to perform upon the world’s stage, so that many may be drawn away from the grasping clutches of hell, and into a marvelous saving relationship with Jesus!
He assures us that He will guide each of our next steps as we do what He tells us to do, when and how He directs. It is simply our responsibility to say, mean and act upon the sincere expression of “here am I, send me”, then entrust the outcome to Him. We’re responsible only for doing our part, knowing that He alone is then responsible for the outcome!
My demanding that the man “prove to me in writing that it works” really perplexed me. I wondered, just exactly how does someone “prove in writing”, that something will work?
I asked God what was meant and He pointed out that He has already “proven it in writing”. Scripture gives numerous examples of people (many times very reluctantly) obeying and succeeding, when God asked them to do the seemingly impossible!
I.e. God found Moses in the wilderness, tending sheep and hoping to live out his days in obscurity. We all know the magnitude of what God did through him, once he quit making excuses and decided to trust Gods plan. Little could he have imagined, the incredible things that would come from his obedience.
God found Gideon threshing grain in a wine press, to hide the Israelites limited food supply from the Midianites. He greatly feared them and believed himself incapable of even participating in, not to mention leading an uprising and battle against them. He asked God to perform a dog and pony show to prove that it was really the Lord speaking. God twice granted his request, even having a couple of enemy warriors discuss their upcoming defeat at the hands of Gideon and his God, within his hearing. By the miraculous hand of God, he and a mere 300 men completely routed 135,000 enemy warriors.
Sometimes the people of Israel had to join the fight, other times the only requirement was obedience in showing up at the battlefield, ready and willing to fight. There were times when the Lord miraculously gave the victory to Israel, without their even needing to lift a weapon, such was the “battle” of Jericho! [also see 2 Chronicles 20:21-23]
My refusal because I did not feel “adequately prepared” and being offended that I was being asked to do something outside of my comfort zone, is the response that most of us give even to God. We often respond with spiritual sounding version of “are you serious?!”, when what we’re asked to do is beyond our personal abilities or previous experience.
God is not interested in our personal abilities, experience or skill. If we look to scripture, we see that He most commonly chose the unqualified and ill-prepared through which to accomplish the amazing! He needs only our sincere trust, faith in His promises and complete obedience. Once He has those, He will handle what is in His opinion “the small stuff”. His strength is made perfect when we are weak in our own abilities.
True followers will be called to do things that we have never in our wildest imagining thought that we would or could do. We will prevail in spiritual battles against the powers of Darkness as we enjoin the battle, using the authority and empowerment given to us by our Great God!
Are you both ready and willing? It is He rather than ourselves, who enables us to meet so great a challenge. What He says He will do, will happen, with the rewards promised to the faithful being beyond our wildest imagining!
He needs the obedient to actively engage the forces of hell, setting them to flight. We CAN DO THIS as we march under His power, authority, and spiritual protection. We each have strategic assignments to fulfill in the coming battles. He urgently calls for “all hands-on deck” as we do spiritual battle on behalf of ourselves, family, friends and our neighbors (by Gods definition of the word)!
Scriptural references:
Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that believeth on me, the works that I do shall he do also; and greater works than these shall he do; because I go unto my Father. John 14:12
And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned.
And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; they shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.
So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.
And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen. Mark 16:15-20
And when he had consulted with the people, he appointed singers unto the Lord, and that should praise the beauty of holiness, as they went out before the army, and to say, Praise the Lord; for his mercy endureth for ever.
And when they began to sing and to praise, the Lord set ambushments against the children of Ammon, Moab, and mount Seir, which were come against Judah; and they were smitten.
For the children of Ammon and Moab stood up against the inhabitants of mount Seir, utterly to slay and destroy them: and when they had made an end of the inhabitants of Seir, every one helped to destroy another. 2 Chronicles 20:21-23
Author
Some years ago, I was contemplating the “right way” to witness, for it made me very uncomfortable and as a result, my usually big mouth, remained tightly closed.
God explained that we must FIRST “walk the walk”; reflecting in our day to day behaviors and attitudes, indisputable evidence of what being in a real, vibrant and life changing relationship with Jesus does in OUR lives. This is our primary “witness” of Him.
When consistent, our “real live testimony” piques peoples interest, as they watch us navigate the real world and its trials. It is most often only then, that we may be granted the opportunity and honor of having a meaningful DIALOGUE with them. Otherwise, for those who are still polite enough to listen to us for a few minutes, the experience will at best be an empty, powerless MONOLOGUE.
I once read of a survey of non-Christian young adults. They were asked: “In what way are the Christians you know different from non-Christians”? The overwhelming response was: “Sometimes they’re busy on Sunday. Otherwise, they’re really just like us.”
We are “on stage” every day. People watch our every move, many unknowingly hoping to see something different – desperate for someone to show them that there truly is something better… The Holy Spirit guides us as we try to bring our audience interactively into the greatest story ever told!
Your description of witnessing makes perfect sense. Thank you for sharing this powerful message, Deborah.
https://youtu.be/0K3VS8zlet0
Excellent teaching from Derek Prince I believe applies to this dream.
Michael,
Thank you for sharing this link. I’ve read several of Dr. Prince’s books but hadn’t realized that there are so many of his messages available online.
The first time I read this dream I was immediately reminded of a dream I had back in the spring. In the dream I walked into a diner in a small town. I look up on the wall and see single, double, triple. The first thing I think of is Wendy’s hamburgers but I know I’m not in a Wendy’s. I think to myself I don’t want that. Then I look behind the counter and I see what appears to be a small loaf of bread with chocolate on top. Although it doesn’t look like a donut that’s what I called it when I order it. I have a seat with my “donut” and coffee. That was the end of the dream. As I asked for understanding I was given two phrases. The familiar in an unfamiliar place and the familiar in an unfamiliar form. I believe this is an aspect of how the Holy Spirit is going to move in the midst of the events taking place in the world and why we as the latter day church must be empowered and led by the Holy Spirit just as the early church was. We’ve never been here before and it’s not going to look like anything we’ve ever seen before.
I love this Deborah. It is something I needed to hear. It is a trick of the enemy to keep us focused on our abilities and strengths, leaving us believing we are never ready for the call of God on our lives. God is beckoning us to step out and rely on him. I had a dream a few years ago that I was counseling a man that had been called of God. He said I don’t know what to do. I told him that it was ok, none of us do. The spirit will be poured out like oil . And I used a hand motion extended toward him moving my hand from his head downward as if oil was being poured on him and I told him he was going to speak the words of Jesus and lay hands on the sick and they would be healed. God is so good to give us this site to encourage one another.
Hey Lydia, I’m going out on a limb here but it seems to me that the Lord is calling you into a deeper place with Him. For me, about two years ago I was led to “Come Up Higher” through a great man of God named Wade Taylor. Next to the bible his works are building my foundation of relationship with Jesus Christ. The Lord has placed it upon my heart to lead you there too. He has an online daily devotional which comes from his book “Being Made Ready” and he also provides 4 free online books by various gifted authors. My walk continues to grow as I receive the revelation from these books. These links are for all who desire to go deeper. God bless.
https://wadetaylor.org/daily-devotional/
https://wadetaylor.org/books-to-read/
Thank you Robin. You are correct. I feel a deep call of God to a place in him that I haven’t been before. I’ve been struggling trying to get there in my own effort. I’m learning there is nothing good in my flesh and it will fail me everytime. I’m seeking his grace in my life for the hour ahead. There is nothing in me that can walk out what he has called me to. I don’t begin to comprehend what all it involves but he told me years ago in a dream, “ You don’t have to understand it. Just know that my hand is on your life and I will fulfill my purposes concerning you.” Thank you for the books and devotionals. Please let’s pray for each other and for the work that’s being done here on Z3 news. God Bless.
Amen to all that! Once when I was messing up really badly and I was feeling so condemned and I was laying down crying feeling so defeated I clearly heard Jesus say to me “I will have my way in you!” His powerful words have stuck with me ever since then and He is most certainly bringing changes. He will have His way in His people. Also, I have noticed there are various turning points in my walk with Him, and one for me was when I discovered the resources I have given you. I pray they help you too and all others who are led to read.
Definitely agree with this post Deborah. So many sports analogies come to mind.
Time to get off the sidelines and into the game!
Just do it!
Leave it all on the floor.
Give it your best & you will have nothing to regret.
The hour is late. God needs His end time army reading His Word, fasting, donning their spiritual armor, interceding, repenting, reaching the lost, fellowshipping with other believers, praying without ceasing, financially suppporting ministries & missionaries & SHOWING UP every day in any way we can to be about His work. Let this post be a call to action for anyone who needs to hear it! ❤️??
Expat Gal,
While I’m not a sports person, your analogy is spot on!
Lead me, I will go. YOU have called me, I will answer. I’m willing to obey, take my hand and lead me Lord, I will follow.?
Beautiful,
Thank you Peace Lilly!
Mark 13:11 came to mind as I read your dreams…But when they arrest you and deliver you up, do not worry beforehand, or premeditate what you will speak. But whatever is given you in that hour, speak that; for it is not you who speak, but the Holy Spirit. God bless.
So true Robin, thanks for sending this really important reminder.
I’ve read that in some cases, the person persecuting, torturing and even killing Christians, saw in those that they were physically destroying, something that intrigued them to the point of searching out Jesus for themselves. (similarly to Paul, but without the Damascus Road intervention)
Most were and are in countries, where converting to Christianity will literally cost them what they consider to be “everything”. They get to thinking, that few people will die for an ideology, no matter how closely held, but these saints will not renounce Jesus no matter what they must go through on earth!
May the same drawing light be seen though all of us, some of whom will travel a like road!
Deborah,
As long as we have a heart to help the unbelievers not to end up in hell, and as long as we know Jesus is the only way or the only ticket to enter heaven, we’ll tend to forget how we look or how we perform and we’ll preach the Gospel to the unbelievers easily.
William
I am reminded of what Charles Spurgeon said: “If sinners be damned, at least let them leap to Hell over our dead bodies. And if they perish, let them perish with our arms wrapped about their knees, imploring them to stay. If Hell must be filled, let it be filled in the teeth of our exertions, and let not one go unwarned and unprayed for.”
Deborah,
To some unbelievers, no matter how many times you preach Gospel to them, they still won’t change . But God can change them through our prayers. By my own experience, I come to know that the intercession group is very important. I am hoping I can help to set up one intercession group with the help of wealth transfer from God.
In our daily life , when it is possible, pray for all sorts of unbelievers to be saved. When it is possible, pray unceasingly under the leading of Holy Spirit.
William,
I agree that without the spiritual lifeline of prayer, which must be in alignment with God’s will, we will not be effective in our witness of Jesus. People seldom respond well to preaching, until a work has been done within their spirit. As we pray for each of the lost, The Holy Spirit does the work of drawing them to Jesus, (a “quickening” of the spirit), which they choose to either pursue or reject.
I don’t understand why a wealth transfer from God is needed in order to have an intercession group. While prayer costs us time, it doesn’t cost money. Perhaps I misunderstood your meaning?
I am in lack of time and I perceive some people could become intercessory prayer if they have some financial support.
Edit: prayer person
That’s an awesome quote Deborah. Thanks for sharing. I love Spurgeon. We need more like him today.
Just yesterday I asked the Father for his heart for the lost…..
Complete dependency upon the Holy Spirit….we’ve never been here before.
Yes, Michael,
While these are uncharted waters for us, what an amazing thing it is to have and follow a Commander who is never lost, nor uncertain!!