Dreams Update – A Personal Account
January 22, 2008
Dear Friends,
A few weeks ago we published a series on dreams. This particular topic generated a significant amount of interest from many different quarters. Since then, I was reminded by a sister of a remarkable book on the subject of conscientious objection called Test Case for Canada ’3314545′, by Bro. Ted Evans of the Hamilton West Avenue ecclesia. In this excellent book, Ted records his father’s account of surviving imprisonment and abuse because of his faith and refusal to serve in the military. I had read it before, but had no recollection that the book contained a particularly vivid account of a prophetic dream. I was simply going to post this on the blog and be done with it, but the dream passage is so interesting, I thought it deserved wider publication. Here then is the late Bro. John Evans account of his dream:
That night as a lay down on my blanket on the floor, with my shoes under my head for a pillow, I prayed to God that he might show me in a dream what my end would be. And dream I did. (1)
I dreamed that a corporal came to the guard-house door and led me out right on to the parade ground where the whole regiment was assembled. There were drums stacked and every officer occupied his station. The parade ground was on a slope; thus as I approached, I could see every man and every man could see me. The corporal escorted me to a pre- established point within arm’s reach of the sergeant major. The sergeant major then reached out in full ceremonial manner, snatching my hat from my head and threw it in the dust. Then the adjutant began reading our my crimes against the good conduct of the Canadian Army, finally completing his charge with the pronouncement that I should be confined under penal servitude at hard labour for a period of twelve months.
Then my dream changed and I found myself being taken to a large prison. I was ushered through the door into a broad prison corridor and told to report to the guard at the side door. Gazing down the corridor I observed an old man waiting by a side door. I started to walk toward him and as I approached, he called out, “Court Martial, you’re late.” I thought to myself, “What difference does that make, I’m not going any place.” Then he said, “Come, walk to and fro on this wall.” I stepped past him, and went down a few steps on to a stone coping, about twenty inches wide and about seventy-five feet long, running along the front of a cellar area-way. I walked the full length of the wall. The sun was shining brightly and as I looked up I could see that the ivy growing up the prison wall was just beginning to turn colour. I said to myself in my dream, “I know now that I do not walk alone.”
Three days after my dream, I was informed that I should be prepared to be “read out” the next morning. Being “read out” refers to the imposition of the sentence of a court-martial. In the morning, they came, just as they had done in my dream and took me out to the parade ground, where there must have been a thousand men assembled. And just as my dream had portrayed, my hat was thrown in the dust, the charges against me “read out” and my sentence pronounced.
I won’t spoil the ending for you. I will leave it to you to read the rest of this fascinating story. Ordering information may be obtained by clicking here.
Have a great week,
(1) The quote was taken from pages 79-81, Test Case for Canada, by E. R. Evans.
Comments»
This book is a personal favorite of mine; however, I am worried this may not be what Bro. Evans was attempting to convey to us.
In this fantastic account of faith, we see a young man facing what was undoubtedly the most terrifying moment of his entire life… having just pleaded guilty at his own court-martial in Britain, he awaited his sentence in a cell, facing an uncertain future; but one that very likely contained (at best) indefinite incarceration.
In the paragraph immediately preceeding the one quoted, we read:
“Thus for several days I continued to be around the guard-room awaiting word of my sentence. With time on my hands and the memories of Wandsworth still clearly engrained in my mind, I began to be apprehensive about what punishment should be handed down by the court. I was afraid lest they send me back to the “Glass House” again [where he had previously been an inmate] and I began to make up my mind that in such an event, I should go on a hunger strike and die there.”
Here we have a believer so mentally distraught and overcome with sorrow that his mind would entertain (if only for a moment) the potential of ending his own life!
It should not come as a surprise to us that during his troubled sleep, his mind would dwell pointedly on the terrifying event – his sentence – he was imminently to face. It should also not come as a surprise to us that the OTHER great force warring in his mind (the faith & confidence in Yahweh he held so dear) would combat and ultimately overcome the fear of any force man might bring to harm him! I believe the simplest solution is the correct one in this case; his preparation for this trial had made him ready to face it (Eph. 6:10-20); in his mind, he vividly saw eventual victory.
He does not (in this context or in the book as a whole) infer that he believes the events of his dream were a prophecy from above; and I cannot believe for a moment that this brother perceived his dream to be a direct guarantee of deliverance and safety from Yahweh.
Did Yahweh impart strength to one of His sons in a time of need? Absolutely. Was the hand of the Elohim upon him thoughout his entire ordeal? Without a doubt! And this brother’s education in scripture and knowledge of Gospel truth brought him peace and solace in a time of great trouble, as it does for us today.
To suggest that he (or any brother or sister in our age) has received “visions from the skies” is to suggest that we have not yet received the entirety of the information Yahweh has delivered to the world, and that He is continuing to impart bits of inspired messages to individuals today for their own personal use. This is inconsistent with the Scripture’s assurances that the Holy Spirit gifts have been withdrawn from the Earth until the second advent; and that the intent of such gifts was for widespread demonstrations of His glory – not for isolated or personal use.
I believe there is a major distinction (and it cannot be chalked up to “semantics”) between saying that “Yahweh is actively working in our lives during our probation” and the suggestion that “Yahweh is currently providing us with direct insight into future events.”
One of these statements is indisputable Gospel truth, and one that we certainly take great comfort in (like this brother did)! The other idea suggests that Yahweh is occasionally bypassing Christ and communicating directly with man; a suggestion I think every believer would wish to reject without hesitation. It destroys the appointed mediatorial function of the Messiah – a role established by Yahweh and firmly in place since Christ’s ascension; and certainly a cornerstone of our beliefs and hope.
Good thoughts Br Aaron,
However, that does not explain how the series of events that he dreamed were exactly as they emerged. Bro Evans could not have known that – as I see it.
We don’t know everything about God or His ways. We must keep learning all of our lives. It surely behoves us to always keep an open mind to receive what we might not know or to correct what we thought we knew.
This surely has to be thought provoking.
And I sincerely cannot see that anyone is remotely suggesting that any message from God – I’m thinking surely delivered by His Son – indicates any form of having Holy Spirit Gifts. It’s a message – in Bro Evan’s case a message to comfort – and no power in us beyond that of simple reception. As it was in those that received the benefits of healing etc bestowed by the Apostles when they had Spirit Gifts. The Apostles had the Gifts – not the recipients.
Bro Colin Green Sydney, Australia
It seems the point here is not simply that Bro. Evans had an interesting dream, but more so that this dream was actually published with prophetic implications, yet he has not been assaulted. Inexplicably, Bro. Evans’ seemingly providential dreaming experience has been celebrated as one we should all learn from, while this website has been attacked for merely surveying the same kind of experiences. No one accused Bro. Evans of teaching that HE had Holy Spirit Gifts, or suggested that HE was making HIMSELF a prophet, or compared HIM to Joseph Smith. So why is one brother exalted while others are maligned?