I have read these verses over and over, and to be honest, I really didn't know the difference between dreams and visions until just recently.
To begin with - let me give you some defintions that will help your understanding of this passage.
First, it says that "your old men shall dream dreams." This refers to that which started out as a vision. Perhaps it was successful and perhaps it was not. Eventually, they became just that - dreams of what was or what could have been.
Secondly, we are told that "the young men shall see visions." This is a vision for the future - or what could be or what they could do.
Now, I beleive that there are healthy tensions in that the old men would dream dreams and the young men would have visions. We need both as we walk this Christian walk.
Let's break this down a little more.
YOUR OLD MEN SHALL DREAM DREAMS
It's interesting - the word "revive" from which we get the word revival is found only 4 x's in the whole Bible. The first use of the word is found in Genesis 45:25-28.
So they went up out of Egypt and came to the land of Canaan to their father Jacob. And they told him, “Joseph is still alive, and he is ruler over all the land of Egypt.” And his heart became numb, for he did not believe them. But when they told him all the words of Joseph, which he had said to them, and when he saw the wagons that Joseph had sent to carry him, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. And Israel said, “It is enough; Joseph my son is still alive. I will go and see him before I die.” (Genesis 45:25-28 ESV)
Genesis 45 is speaking of Jacob who was grieving because he had lost his son Joseph to death. But at that very moment, unbeknown to him, Joseph was sending wagons of blessing to Jacob and his family. He was sending word that he was alive.
But when they told him everything Joseph had said to them, and when he saw the carts Joseph had sent to carry him back, the spirit of their father Jacob revived. (Genesis 45:27 NIV)
Here is an old man who got revived in his dream. His once vision for his son was snuffed out upon hearing of his supposed death. When he heard that his son was acutally alive - his desire to live and his unction came back at an old age.
This lines up with Joel's prophecy that "in the last days I will pour out my Spirit on all flesh... and your old men shall dream dreams..."
It's interesting how scripture weaves together. When the first time this word "revive" is used in the Bible - it's about an old man who had lost his dreams.
Are you older today? God want to revive your dreams. He wants to breath life into those dreams that you would see them come to pass.
Just because you are older doesn't mean that God is finished with you. Let God breathe deep into that which has died - that dream of what you thought would happen or that which came to life and died. Allow the Holy Spirit to show up and bring renewal to those drams and desires.
Here's something to think about if you are older..
How God Used Older People in the Bible
Moses and Aaron... They were chosen to lead the Israelites out of Egyptian bondage at the ages of 80 & 83.
Joshua and Caleb... Joshua was given the charge of leading the conquest of Canaan during the last thirty years of his life (he lived until he was 110.) Caleb was also very much involved in the conquest, and he was
in his eighties.
Daniel... He served God from the days of his youth, for over 70 years! He was well over eighty when he: 1- Served as one of three governors over the kingdom of Babylon 2- Was thrown into the lions' den 3- Received a series of visions
Zacharias and Elizabeth... These were the parents of John the Baptist. They were "both well advanced in years" and he served in the temple. She gave birth to John!
Simeon and Anna... These were two elderly people who witnessed when Jesus presented to the temple to be circumcised - Lk 2:25-38. Anna herself was at least 84, and had been serving God "with fastings and prayers night and day"
Paul, the aged... As he refers to himself in Philemon 9. In his old age - he wrote the books fo Ephesians, Colossians, Philippians, and Ephesians - even while in prison.
Back to Genesis 45 - Jacob was at a point in life where his dreams had died. But God restored those dreams in his old age. It was given back to him.
Sometimes we almost give up on life. His dream of his son Joseph, was gone forever. Sometimes we give up too quickly. When God sends revival - He restores our dreams.
When Jacob saw the wagons again - something kicked in - he began to dream again. Even in an old age - God gave him a dream. It's about HIS time - not about our time.
Moses was 80 years old when God said, "Now it's my time. I know your time would have been when you were in your 20's, 30's or 40's, etc. But that was not my time. My time is now."
Some of you may have given up on the dream that God had for your life. You are ready to give up just before God is about to say, "Now, it's my time."
Caleb was 85 when he said, "Give me my mountain," and then ran every giant off the mountain. (Joshua 14:2)
That's why we need to pray, "Teach me to number my days" and not give up when God is about to do something.
We have to get an attitude when we're around the Holy Spirit - "The rest of my years will be the best of my years. God is not through with me. God is not finished with me. I'm not 65 and sliding for home."
God has a purpose and a plan and He still has dreams that He wants to put in our hearts.
I don't care how old you are - you are here for a reason and you are part of the revival.
But the path of the righteous is like the light of dawn, which shines brighter and brighter until full day. (Proverbs 4:18 ESV)
Not darker and darker but brighter and brighter.
Paul had a vision and he heard a voice. 26 years later he stood before King Agrippa and said, "I was not disobedient to the heavenly vision."
God had given him a vision and he kept that vision alive. Don't give up on the vision that God has given you.
God would say to all of us - "In this last revival - I want to restore the dreams that I've given you and I want to fulfill my plan for your life."
YOUR YOUNG MEN SHALL SEE VISIONS
Here's where the tension comes in - old men dream dreams and it tells us that the young men see visions.
These are those of you who are in your 20's, and 30's and 40's. These are those who are according to 1 John are "strong and have overcome the evil one." These are the one who feel as if they can take the world on and nothing can hold them back or stop them.
It's interesting - the 2nd time the word "revive" is used in the Bible is the story of Samson in the book of Judges 15.
Samson was a young man who had great strength, power and anointing - but his own family turned him over to the enemy.
Samson is out doing what Samson does - killing Philistines.
Then Samson said: “With the jawbone of a donkey, Heaps upon heaps, With the jawbone of a donkey I have slain a thousand men!” (Judges 15:16 NKJV)
He fought and fought and fought. And, when he killed the last Philistine, the scripture says that his spirit left him. He was worn out from the fight. He was weary.
Do you feel the same way - fighting for your vision, for your families, for your spirituality, for your business, your schedules, your house, etc.?
Then he became very thirsty; so he cried out to the LORD and said, “You have given this great deliverance by the hand of Your servant; and now shall I die of thirst and fall into the hand of the uncircumcised?” So God split the hollow place that is in Lehi, and water came out, and he drank; and his spirit returned, and he revived. Therefore he called its name En Hakkore, which is in Lehi to this day. (Judges 15:18-19 NKJV)
He ran out of inward strength so God showed him some fresh water. God had to replenish him.
After you have fought - the devil wants you to be exhausted. He wants you to go from bad to worse.
If you are fighting the battles over and over (especially if you are young) - there has to be times when you get replenished and refreshed.
It's where God restores your soul. You might be inwardly tired from fighting over and over but you have to get to the living water which is the Holy Spirit.
You have to drink and be replenished and feel alive again.
Suddenly, Samson found the place of refreshing - the place where God restored his soul.
Keep in mind that I'm talking to those who are in their 20's and 30's and 40's. You are building and doing and carrying the load.
But how long has it been since you stopped and looked at yourself and said, "I'm dry inside." "I'm weary inside." "I'm putting on a good front but I wish I could have a good cool drink from the river of life."
I believe that God wants to revive you. God wants to bring purpose to your lives. God wants to send the Holy Spirit. You've been fighting in your own strength and you need the anointing to come back on you.
The thing about Samson is that he lost his vision. He was a young man who had lost his vision.
The Philistines had captured him and poked his eyes out.
But God gave him a little boy who became his vision. He took Sampson and put his hands on the pillar of Dagon.
While they were in high spirits, they shouted, “Bring out Samson to entertain us.” So they called Samson out of the prison, and he performed for them. When they stood him among the pillars, Samson said to the servant who held his hand, “Put me where I can feel the pillars that support the temple, so that I may lean against them.” Now the temple was crowded with men and women; all the rulers of the Philistines were there, and on the roof were about three thousand men and women watching Samson perform. Then Samson prayed to the Lord, “Sovereign Lord, remember me. Please, God, strengthen me just once more, and let me with one blow get revenge on the Philistines for my two eyes.” Then Samson reached toward the two central pillars on which the temple stood. Bracing himself against them, his right hand on the one and his left hand on the other, Samson said, “Let me die with the Philistines!” Then he pushed with all his might, and down came the temple on the rulers and all the people in it. Thus he killed many more when he died than while he lived. Then his brothers and his father’s whole family went down to get him. They brought him back and buried him between Zorah and Eshtaol in the tomb of Manoah his father. He had led Israel twenty years. (Judges 16:25-31 NIV)
Sampson destroyed the devil's playhouse. He did this when his vision got restored.
Can I prophesy today that in this last revival that there are going to be people in their 20's and 30's and 40's who have been fighting with life and fighting with God who are going to get their vision restored. You are so dry and so weary. God is going to pour out that living rain and water and its going to restore and fill you with vision.
THE OLD MEN WILL DREAM DREAMS BUT THE YOUNG MEN WILL GET THEIR VISION BACK.
Habakkuk - "Without a vision you will perish."
God has a vision for your family. God has a vision for you if you are single right now. Don't be diverted by the enemy and his distractions. God has a vision and He has His time that is the right time. Yes, the young men will have visions but they must lean into the experience of the old men.
Wall hard. Nose soft. You can look at my bloody nose and learn from my experience or your can hit the wall yourself and learn from that experience. The choice is yours.
As a man who getting up in age - I want my dreams revitalized. I want to dream dreams again.
But as a pastor and mentor and a dad and a grandpa - I want to help the younger generations with all of their visions to be able to maximize their strength and run the race that is set before them
We need both - old men who are dreaming dreams and young men who are having visions. God help us both.
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