Topical Bible: Dreams: False Prophets: Condemned for Pretending To

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In the biblical narrative, dreams often serve as a medium through which God communicates with His people. However, the Scriptures also provide stern warnings against false prophets who claim divine revelation through dreams, yet speak deceitfully. These individuals are condemned for leading God's people astray with their false visions and pretenses.

The Old Testament, particularly in the prophetic books, addresses the issue of false prophets who misuse dreams to deceive the people of Israel. In the book of Jeremiah, God explicitly condemns these false prophets. Jeremiah 23:25-32 states: "I have heard what the prophets who prophesy lies in My name are saying: 'I had a dream! I had a dream!' How long will this continue in the hearts of these lying prophets, who prophesy the delusions of their own minds? They think the dreams they tell one another will make My people forget My name, just as their fathers forgot My name through Baal worship. Let the prophet who has a dream tell his dream, but let the one who has My word speak it truthfully. For what is straw compared to grain? declares the LORD. Is not My word like fire, declares the LORD, and like a hammer that smashes a rock? Therefore, behold, I am against the prophets who steal from one another words they attribute to Me, declares the LORD. Yes, declares the LORD, I am against the prophets who wag their own tongues and proclaim, 'The LORD declares it.' Indeed, I am against those who prophesy false dreams, declares the LORD. They tell them and lead My people astray with their reckless lies, yet I did not send or appoint them. They do not benefit these people in the least, declares the LORD."

This passage highlights several key points regarding false prophets and their dreams. Firstly, these prophets are accused of prophesying lies and delusions from their own minds, rather than receiving genuine revelations from God. Their false dreams are a tool for leading the people away from the true worship of God, causing them to forget His name and commands.

Furthermore, God contrasts the false dreams with His true word, likening His word to fire and a hammer that breaks rock, emphasizing its power and truth. The false dreams, in contrast, are likened to straw, lacking substance and value. The condemnation is clear: God is against those who falsely claim divine dreams and use them to mislead His people.

The book of Deuteronomy also provides guidance on discerning true prophets from false ones. Deuteronomy 13:1-3 warns: "If a prophet or dreamer of dreams arises among you and proclaims a sign or wonder to you, and if the sign or wonder he has spoken to you comes to pass, but he says, 'Let us follow other gods (which you have not known) and let us worship them,' you must not listen to the words of that prophet or dreamer. For the LORD your God is testing you to find out whether you love Him with all your heart and with all your soul."

This passage underscores the importance of fidelity to God and His commandments. Even if a dream or sign appears to come true, if it leads people away from God, it is to be rejected. The true test of a prophet is not merely the fulfillment of their dreams or signs, but their adherence to God's truth and their encouragement of faithfulness to Him.

In summary, the Bible provides clear warnings against false prophets who claim divine dreams. These individuals are condemned for their deceit and for leading God's people astray. The Scriptures emphasize the importance of discerning true revelation from falsehood, always aligning with God's word and commands.

Torrey's Topical Textbook

Jeremiah 23:32
Behold, I am against them that prophesy false dreams, said the LORD, and do tell them, and cause my people to err by their lies, and by their lightness; yet I sent them not, nor commanded them: therefore they shall not profit this people at all, said the LORD.
Torrey's Topical Textbook

Library

The Miracles
... the same with prophecies, miracles, divination by dreams, sorceries, etc ... Antichrist
and the false prophets, foretold by both Testaments ... Miracles endless, false. ...
//christianbookshelf.org/pascal/pensees/section xiii the miracles.htm

Of the Power of Making Laws. The Cruelty of the Pope and his ...
... taken their model partly from the dreams of the ... Hence those celebrated declarations
of the Prophets, which ought ... This false zeal has produced a great part of ...
/.../calvin/the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 10 of the power.htm

Of Immediate Revelation.
... assuring them that the voices, dreams, and visions ... in their common operations; both
which are false. ... God by his Spirit to the patriarchs, prophets, and apostles ...
/.../proposition ii of immediate revelation.htm

Doctrinal and Moral Treatises. Index of Subjects.
... Apparitions, in dreams, [387]544-[388]550; of the ... 785]470; sayings of, that seem
false, are figurative ... prevent crime, [1062]466; especially condemned, [1063]472 ...
/.../on care to be had for the dead /doctrinal and moral treatises index.htm

The Romance of M. Renan. By Napoleon Roussel.
... who should deliver Israel, like all dreams, probably has ... side of him who allures
it with false promises, that ... does our critic say, "The prophets had, without ...
/.../the romance of m renan and the christ of the gospels/the romance of m renan.htm

Select Works and Letters or Athanasius
... The phenomena of dreams bear this out. ... Yet further, He ordained a Law and Prophets,
whose ministry was ... this favour, fearing also lest the false accusers should ...
//christianbookshelf.org/athanasius/select works and letters or athanasius/

Life and Works of Rufinus with Jerome's Apology Against Rufinus.
... Gentiles, which were before supposed to be false were really ... he calls his own' than
from the Prophets and Apostles ... who says, "He who judges is condemned if he ...
/.../various/life and works of rufinus with jeromes apology against rufinus /

Memoir of John Bunyan
... Who was it that scared Job with dreams, and terrified him ... made prisoners, tried by
martial law, and condemned to the ... it might be based upon any false foundation ...
/.../bunyan/the works of john bunyan volumes 1-3/memoir of john bunyan.htm

Penitence, as Explained in the Sophistical Jargon of the Schoolmen ...
... To such false views I oppose the free forgiveness of ... likeness of sinful flesh, and
for sin condemned sin in ... And whenever David or the other prophets ask pardon ...
/.../the institutes of the christian religion/chapter 4 penitence as explained.htm

A Mystery! Saints Sorrowing and Jesus Glad!
... The prophets of God did not say, "Thus I speak as a ... that he should not send me visions,
or dreams, or even ... to swear to what you know to be false and dangerous. ...
/.../spurgeon/spurgeons sermons volume 10 1864/a mystery saints sorrowing and.htm