The other night, I was awakened by a troubling dream that suggests a spiritual attack on pastors and church leaders concerning God’s vision for the Church. And though I know it has personal application in our own ministry, I believe it may bear witness with many others in the Body of Christ who are concerned with where the Church is headed. (*The interpretations that follow are only partial. I share many more details and clarifications in my video at the bottom.)
I was watching a young couple who had been out on the road in front of lots of people, and they were now in the lobby of their hotel. They were tired and wanted to go back to their room and sleep. It appeared that people were still pulling on them, but they eventually climbed the stairs to their room to get some needed rest.
As soon as they got into their room, I saw a large glass window beside their bed. It was a massive old-fashioned window with wooden slats. It had been opened a bit to let in some fresh air, and I went to shut it. But then I saw a man in a black t-shirt outside trying to get in. He was actually on the ground level trying to get inside. I recognized him as someone who had been after us, and he was very strong and determined to get in. He was trying to grab me from the outside, and I rushed to try and close the window. As I did so, two things happened at once. I felt someone pull me from behind on my right side, and then I heard a loud BANG on the window, like someone trying to pound their way in. And then I wake up with a start!
Sitting straight up in bed, I was so convinced it was real, I began to think of how to protect myself. But then I realized that the window I saw in my dream wasn’t even there in our real bedroom. It was at that moment that I knew it was only a dream, and then I remembered another dream I had right before this one.
I was in the kitchen and looked towards the front door. Bobby (my husband, a pastor) had just come home but was trying to be quiet so as not to disturb me. But as he gets closer, I see he has a huge patch covering his entire right eye. I was shocked as it was evident he had a major accident, and even though I couldn’t see behind the patch, it almost looked like his eye had been hollowed out. It was then that I saw his right hand was bandaged, as well. He was alright and trying to reassure me that everything was OK. It was then that I noticed his bandage wasn’t even a regular hospital bandage. It was actually huge bands of grey duct tape! Same thing with his right hand. Not bandaged with regular medical gauze, but thick strips of grey duct tape pasted over the injuries!
In processing these dreams with Bobby and my intercessory prayer team, we all felt there were some things that Bobby and I could take away personally, but also recognized some truths and insights that also apply to the broader Body of Christ. I was both an observer in the first dream as well as a participant in both. This has been a pattern for years as a prophetic dreamer. Many times, I am acting as a spiritual watchman and am only observing things to see what the Lord wants me to see. At other times, I become a participant, which usually indicates there will be some personal involvement or application. Thus, you can receive these insights and interpretations as considerations for prayer in whatever way they may apply to you.
I BELIEVE THE OVERALL MESSAGE IN THESE DREAMS IS THAT THERE IS A VISION AT STAKE AND THE ENEMY IS AFTER THOSE WHO CARRY THAT VISION.
Windows in dreams or visions usually represent vision or perspective. How they are presented in dreams can provide additional insights. The window I saw was “old,” meaning it had been around for a while. It was made by hand, carefully crafted, and had stood the test of time. I believe this represents God’s vision for His House and for His people. His desire would be that anyone who follows Him, especially leaders, would view things through His vision for the Church (represented by the window in this couple’s room). The presentation of this window could also be a reminder to strengthen that vision according to His original blueprint, and not our own.
The young couple was nondescript and could imply the next generation of leaders or those who carry influence. But they could also represent leaders like my husband and me who have already spent many years ministering to others and have needed to get rested and refreshed for the next leg of the journey. We believe there are many such ministry couples that the Lord still desires to use, even as He renews their youth like the eagles (Psalm 103:5).
I believe the ”strongman” outside the window is a form of the Religious Spirit that continues to harass and accuse those who are being used of the Lord. Continually hounding anyone who wants to fulfill God’s vision for the Church, he looks to “break and enter” in order to stop what God is doing. The fact that he appeared to be at the “ground level” could even indicate how he is attacking our spiritual foundations as the Church. If there is any unguarded opening in our spiritual foundation (the open window), it becomes an entry point for the enemy. Thankfully, the bang that woke me up was only a veiled threat and not a reality. And the hand that I felt pull me back, I believe, was the hand of God Himself. He wants us to know that some battles are for Him alone.
For you shall not go out in haste, and you shall not go in flight, for the Lord will go before you, and the God of Israel will be your rear guard.
Which brings me to the other dream…
It’s the first dream that may actually reveal how some of these cracks and entry points for the enemy come to be. Bobby represents the many pastors and church leaders who are getting attacked and wounded in ministry. And it’s their VISION that is being targeted. But because they don’t want to bother anyone, or because they actually believe it’s their responsibility, they try to “fix” things on their own. It’s a common joke that duct tape can fix most anything! It’s the perfect go-to for quick fixes. But it’s usually only temporary and doesn’t even address the real problem. And because most pastors are “hands-on” in their ministry style, even the work of their hands comes under attack (thus the bandages on both Bobby’s eye and hand). This is the Lord alerting His leaders to their own self-efforts, however sincere and responsibility-driven they may be. God always intended for us to work together as a spiritual family and team, not as soloists. He is urging us to slow down, pull back, and include others in our journey. Our strength as the Church doesn’t rest on any one leader or pastor, but on the collective, each one doing their part in order to support the whole (Ephesians 4:15-16).
Another interesting note was that I was “pulled back” from the window on my right side, and Bobby was also impacted on the right side. We both felt this indicated these attacks are coming against those who are on the “right side” of history in being faithful to the Lord’s call.
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with My righteous right hand.
So whether you are a leader, an influencer, or simply a member of God’s household, I believe He wants us to reconsider His vision for the Church. Then, do all we can to work towards fulfilling that vision together. For some, that will mean taking some time to get away from the crowd and rest. For others, it will mean stop trying so hard on your own and start including others around you in both prayer and counsel. And for all of us to not fear the enemy’s threats or attempts to shut us down. The Lord is our rear guard and not only goes before us, but covers us from behind. He is not only our Champion in Battle, but the Head of His Church. And He takes care of His own.
Many more details to the dreams in my latest video…
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