Interpreting God’s Language

1. Interpreting God’s Language God has a language for YOU !!! Character outweighs Gifting !! “Single Minded” Ears & Eyes Interpreting Dreams, Visions and Prophecy in the Prophetic Practical Points in Prophecy

2. God has a Language for YOU !!! • God wants to Communicate with His children, thus He has a Language in which He communicates !! • We need to understand this Language, in order to be able to truly HEAR God’s Voice and to understand (have insight into) what He is trying to communicate to us. • God speaks to us in Visions, Dreams, Audibly, through Nature, Impressions, Discernment, Supernatural Revelation, Natural things (parables), Love, Internal Peace as well as Conviction. • Each of these points have to be interpreted differently. • The most common way for the Prophetic Messages is Visions, as well as words that bubble up within your spirit man. (eg Jeremiah, Zechariah vsIsaia Nathan) • God is WORD – and WORD SPEAKS (Gen 1, Joh 1:1) • Godly Love and Compassion are keys to unlock the Prophetic Gifting (1 Cor 13) • But there are other ways too, like, Praying, Worship, Studying the Bible etc. • Find the Pathway that works for you, but don’t let that hinder you in hearing from God in other ways too!! • Learn to TRUST GOD when He wants to Reveal new secrets / mysteries unto you. Be open for His ways and don’t run away or rebel like Jonah did (Jonah 1:3, 4:9)

3. God has a Language for YOU !!! • God would normally start off with using a language that will fit into your frame of reference (Jer 1:11-16) • But the more you grow and allowing for Him to expand more, He will start giving you images that you might not know or understand and have to seek for the full answer/meaning in different places – like the Scriptures or Books • But the best way is to wait on God to give you the layout Himself. Usually that will help you in Growing in Knowing His Voice and that will help you in Flowing in His Spirit • There are no hard and set rules, only endless possibilities and Interpretations. • He is the Giver of the Dreams and Visions, and He knows what He wants to communicate at that very moment !! • Take His communications seriously. Make time and put in some effort to work with Him to move into the understanding. • Never think that you know it all. Then you will open a way for yourself to fall into traps very quickly. And it isn’t that easy to come out of it.

4. Character outweighs Gifting • Based on the last point above – we need to thus look at Character traits we need to allow the Holy Spirit to build into us, in order to ensure that we will not fall in any traps, and/or if we did step into one, that we will be able to get out very quickly. • We need to grow in characteristics like: • Lovevs Loveless, being indifferent, hate, racism, cynical, selfishness • Humblenessvs Pride or Inferiority • Trustvs thinking I can do it myself (pride) • Integrityvs Fickleness / unreliable • Stabilityvs being blown around by different winds of Doctrine • Faithvs Fear • Faithfulnessvs being unfaithful, selfishness • Repentancevs stubbornness • Forgivenessvs un-forgiveness & Bitterness • Speaking the TRUTH vs Lying / Hypocrisy • These are all Godly Characteristics – which is what is Keeping God Stable and Trustworthy too • If we want to represent God and His Word and His Will or carry His message, then we need to become more like Him. • A Godly character will allow us to endure the “race” of the ministry and to reach our final goal (1 Cor 9:23-27)

5. Character outweighs Gifting • Cultivate Kingdom Cultures and move away from Worldly thinking • Build your house on the Rock (Jesus as the corner stone) and not on the sand (unstable worldly nature) (Mat 7:24-27) • Such a character will enable us to remain standing when trials and Tribulations come (Joh 16:33) • Character is mostly formed through: • Trials, Troubles, Tests, Tribulations, Temptations, Suffering & Hardships • Jam 1:2-4 My brethren, count it all joy when ye fall into divers temptations; Knowing this, that the trying of your faith worketh patience. But let patience have her perfect work, that ye may be perfect and entire, wanting nothing. • Heb 5:8Though He (Jesus) were a Son, yet learned he obedience by the things which he suffered; • Studying the Word – giving us tools & principals to live by and building moral values into our lives (Eph 5:26-27 – The WORD washes & cleanses us like water, and renew your mind - Rom 12:2) • Saul vs David & Daniel & his 3 friends (1 Sam 15:17,16:7,17, Dan 1:8,17,20, 2:47-49, 3:16-18…) • Looking at previous Men & Woman of God what anointing they had plus what made them succeed and what caused some to come to a dismal fall • Catherine Kuhlman • Smith Wiglesworth • John Alexander Dowie • John G Lake • One’s life speaks louder than any prophecy. We are being “recognized” through the FRUIT we produce !!! (Mat 7:16-20, Gal 5:19-22, Jam 3, 1 Cor 13:1-2)

6. “Single Minded” Ears & Eyes !! • Mat 6:22-23, Luk 11:34 (KJV) “The light of the body is the eye: if therefore thine eye be single, thy whole body shall be full of light. But if thine eye be evil, thy whole body shall be full of darkness. If therefore the light that is in thee be darkness, how great is that darkness!” • From the previous points we’ve discussed, it is clear that we need to only focus our attention on the Lord. Like Peter at first when he stepped out of the boat (Mat 14:25-32) Also see Jesus’ prayer in Joh 17:19 • Jam 1:6-8 “But let him ask in faith, nothing wavering. For he that wavereth is like a wave of the sea driven with the wind and tossed. For let not that man think that he shall receive any thing of the Lord. A double minded man is unstable in all his ways.” • In life, there are many influences. These influences can be: • Opinions, purposes, goals, selfish ambitions of man, plans of the enemy, wrong motives • Television, movies, news, family, wrong friends,, questions, doubt, fear, etc… • The most important thing for Prophetic ministers and anyone that wants to truly flow in the prophetic, is to be “single-mindedly FOCUSED on Jesus Christ & God’s Word as well as His Spirit” (Mat19:29, 1 Cor 7:35, Heb 12:1-2) • God is looking for a BRIDE that has no “wondering eye” towards the world and its attractions. • Be careful that a prophetic word is not influenced by expectations of man. • Rely on the Holy Spirit only to speak into an area as He wishes, and not what you want to think or say (eg: being affected/impacted by outside or own framework, opinions, gossip etc) • Only say what the Spirit of God is SHOWING or SAYING to you – nothing more. AND be dependent on God’s interpretation of a Word – and not what “man” want the interpretation to be !!

7. Interpreting Dreams, Visions & Prophecy in the Prophetic • Discernment is very important – Learn to discern in the Spirit and to understand the FLOW of the Holy Spirit. He tends to reveal secrets from the deepest places in the heart of man. • Dreams and Visions are coming to us in “symbolism”, and we need to be able to interpret that symbolism. • Like Jesus spoke in Parables – using an example of an every day situation, to describe the message whatever He was trying to bring across to the people. • The bible is full of these symbols – like: a Dove, Water, Fire, Light, Leven, Mustard seed, Bread, Wine, Oil, etc. • BUT: it doesn’t stop there. We have things today that didn’t exist in bible times, like Cars, Busses, Balloons, Computers, Sports elements (like, Golf, Tennis), etc. And God can use these symbols today too to convey a message to His listeners. And we need to know what these things mean… • Dreams is mostly for ourselves, cause that is the times when we are most quiet, and our spirit gets a chance to listen to God without any interruptions. • Whereas Visions are mostly for other people – but it can be for ourselves too. • Don’t ever limit God !!!

8. Interpreting Dreams, Visions & Prophecy in the Prophetic Sometimes Prophecy will start with a Word of Knowledge about a person. Most people then normally stops there, and just says I see this and don’t carry on from there. This isn’t very helpful to the person you are talking to, or wanting to prophecy too. You need to then wait and hear from God what to say thereafter. It is a step of faith to start speaking about what you see, but then don’t move away, until the rest follows. Remember – Prophecy – is to “Tell Forth” that which is to come – like an answer to a question, or a direction, or bring Healing, etc. Word of Knowledge – is stating what the person already knows – it is just so that you can let the person know that God is noticing the person. But with that, God then also wants to give direction, or bring Healing etc..

9. Interpreting Dreams, Visions & Prophecy in the Prophetic When you receive a Prophecy – in most cases it will be a confirmation of what God placed in your heart already. Prophecy is there to carry you or give you direction like a light in a dark tunnel. Don’t try to make it come true. Just work with God and allow Him to guide and lead you. Be not afraid of prophecy. Desire it – for in it we can know the future !! Prophecy is timeless. God’s timing isn’t our timing, and He KNOWS all things. We have a choice in Prophecy given to us at all times - We can choose whether we want to accept it, or even reject it, and life could go the exact opposite than what the prophecy said. All through choices that we make. If Prophecy is causing a feeling of FEAR or Condemnation, then question it !!! God doesn’t bring Fear, but rather Love, Direction and Hope (2 Tim 1:7, 1 Cor 14)

10. Interpreting Dreams, Visions & Prophecy in the Prophetic • Let’s look at some symbols that you can see and how to interpret them: • Colours : • White (purity, innocence, snow, manna), • Black (Clouded skies, Darkness, negative forces & influences, Could indicate Authority too), • Red (Blood of Jesus, Wine), • Green (Growth, New Beginnings, Nature, developing Maturity) • Silver (Purification, Redemption) • Purple (Authority, Royalty) • Gold (Richness, Glory of God, Honor & Praise) • Yellow – Loyalty, Jealousy, Gold, Sun, Wisdom • Numbers: • 1 – Unity, Togetherness • 2 – Promises, agreement & sharing • 3 – Trinity, Resurrection, Harmony, Agreement • 5 – Grace, Favor • 7 – Perfection, Final, Complete • 10 – Fullness, Law, • 12 – Divine Power / Government, Authority, Permanent, Establishment • Animals: • Horse – Power – depending on the color of it • Donkey – Stubborn, serving, humble • Ox - Serving • Snake / Serpent - Devil, Satan • Dog – Worship (licking your hand), could be a symbol of someone that needs to be continually confirmed. If not treated well, he/she will leave you • Dove – Holy Spirit, Gentleness, Someone that has no bitterness

11. Interpreting Dreams, Visions & Prophecy in the Prophetic • Flowers • Lots of flowers – could stand for Worship • Sun Flower – Head should be turned to God, Seeds implies oil • Rose – Bloom, look at the stage of the rose: Rose bud (closed up or not yet ready to bloom), vs. is it Open, or is it Withered? • Stones – Could indicate the Law (Mat 4:4, Luk 11:1-13) • Gem Stones • Ruby – Red, Blood • Emerald - Green • Pearl – Kingdom of God • Diamonds – Raw vs Formed into shape, Dull vs Shining • Could show characters that are formed through Life • Fruit – Like Fruit of the Spirit (Gal 5:21-22) • Apple – Look at the color – Like Red = Loving Kindness • Banana – Indicate Fruit all year round, Yellow, Ripe, Green • Lemons / Lime – Long Suffering, Hardship, Bitterness • Peaches – Love, Gentleness, Tenderness • Hints what to look for in the vision: • Direction • Color • Detail, like Left or Right, In the Back or in the Front • Conformed to Scripture, or Confirmed by Scripture • Is it moving away, or is it coming back • Face – is it towards you, sideways, or turned away, or head hanging, Facial Expressions (sad, smile, crying, etc) • Number of Objects • What stands out & what is hidden (obvious)

12. Practical Points in Prophecy • Keep the Communication Channel open with God (Strolling with God like Enoch Gen 5:24, Heb 11:5-6) • Spend a enough time praying: • Intercession (Col 1:3, Col 1:9-11, Dan 2:17, Eze 22:30-31) • In the spirit (Mat 26:24, Rom 8:26, Eph 6:18) • Tongues (1 Cor 14:14-18) • Giving Thanks / Thanksgiving (Col 1:12 -18, Ps 100:4, Phil 4:4-8) • Spend time Worshipping God. It releases the Prophetic Gift within (1 Sam16:14-18, Joh 4:23) • Continue reading and studying the Word of God (Ps 119, Heb 4:12, 2 Tim 3:16-17) • Grow in Prophetic Gifting and in Character (simultaneously) (1 Tim 4:14, 2 Tim 1:6-8) • Stay in Communion and in Relationship with God (2 Cor 6:14, 2 Cor 13:14, 1Cor 10:16, Fellowship: 1 Joh 1:3-7, Phil. 3:10, 1 Cor 2:14 & Joh 2:14 (MSG))

13. Practical Points in Prophecy Grow in obedience to the Holy Spirit (1 Sam 15:22, Acts 5:29-32, Rom 6:16, 2 Cor 10:5-6, Heb 5:8) Grow in Discernment (1 Cor 2:14, 1 Cor 11:28-30, 1 Cor 12:10, Heb 4:12-13 & Heb 5:14) Desire to Prophecy (1 Cor 14:39) Learn to Wait & WAIT on God (Isa 40:28-31, Mat 11:28-30, Isa 30:15) TRUST God – Get to KNOW Him Intimately !! (Joh 17, Joh 15:1-3, Mat 11:27-30, 1 Cor 2:12-16, 1 Joh 2:3-5, 1 Joh 2:13-14) Cultivate the FEAR of the Lord, that is “Reverential Respect for the Lord” which is the beginning of all Wisdom !! (Prov 9:10, Prov 1:7, Prov 15:33) Don’t neglect the coming together of the Saints, and/or ministering to the Saints (Heb 10:25, 2 Cor 8:4, 1 Joh 1:7)