Dreamer's Watch, Part 2: Foreknowledge

Many people can relate to what I'm about to say... and many won't be able to. As a precursor to the rest of the blog, I do NOT believe in psychics, horoscopes, or witchcraft; I do NOT take heed of alternate ways to see into the realm of the Spirit, but follow Jesus only. And for some, this is a heavy topic, so this post is not for everyone...

ALL photos on this page courtesy of WeHeartIt.com

Now that that's out of the way, on to the topic of foreseeing or foretelling something on God's behalf...

Thing is, there are some of us who sense death when it is happening, prior to it, or very soon afterward. It is not something we seek out - at least I don't - but is part of a gift we have that the Spirit of God has given us. Whether in a dream, a vision, or "simply" having a knowing (as in, word of knowledge)... there are people who pass away, and God reveals it to some of the world before the rest of us have any idea what has happened.

I will not say that I have experienced this often... but there have been a handful of times when I have had a sense, a dream, or a vision that someone is passing or has passed, only to find out that it is so.

With all of the recent celebrity deaths, it seemed a fitting time to mention the topic.

I knew when in California God didn't want me to go to Oceanside. I didn't know why... I just knew something was about to happen. Junior Seau's life here on earth ended, and the world will not be the same. My every condolence to you, his family, if you are seeing this post... He made his mark on this world, and on those who loved him. I can only imagine what you must be going through. My heart goes out to his family, neighbors, and close friends from his football days...

When I heard someone say Robin Gibb died I already knew. In fact, I "heard" it a couple weeks ago, and so wondered if it were in a dream, a vision, or where I heard it. My friend Stephenie, who mentioned it, seemed not to know how to take that I had heard already when no one had told me. Condolences go out to the Gibb family, as well... his music goes on forever.

When Whitney Houston died, I didn't know she was dead but I had a sense something awful had happened... I wasn't sure until I saw online the headlines of her passing. One of my mentors, however, had a deeper knowing and sensed her passing from one realm to the other, I understand... And condolences go out... her talent and heart have truly touched the world.

Three people from high school died, and I already knew. I didn't know how I knew... I just knew. One, I was a few blocks away when he was shot... and I knew he was gone. I barely knew him, and didn't know where he was, but I "saw" the whole thing in my mind. It was confirmed a few days later. I know you likely won't see this and know if it's your family, but know... anyone who has lost their child in the early years, it is difficult. My heart goes out to each one!

When Michael Jackson died, I saw it in a dream the night before. It was freaky... a nightmare... but when, the day after the dream, I heard he was gone, I wasn't fazed. Saddened, but not surprised. I was IM-ing with a friend at the time, and he's who mentioned it to me... and I recall saying, "No surprise." He was pissed until I told him I saw it in a dream the night before. And when I later on revealed the whole dream to another friend before there was a case against C. Murray, she, too, was surprised somewhat but more than that, saddened. She, too, has a similar gift and so I think she understood... If you're reading this, those who hold him in your hearts; those who were close to him... my sincere condolences. He was a wonderful man, and it is only up to God to judge him... not those of us in the world. God knew his heart and intents, and that is what matters.

My grandfather, when he passed, I sensed he was gone. I called his house right after he passed, and asked how he was, knowing he was gone, and was told at the time, he was fine. Later I found out it was less than 10 minutes after he passed. Those in my family and friends who knew and loved Grampa will know that I mean it when I say... he will forever be missed... though no longer in pain and with his Maker now, he is thought of every single day... as I'm sure the rest of those mentioned are, as well, by someone.

A friend from college, when she passed... I was one of the last people to speak to her before she died. I must have dreamed it though I honestly don't recall the dream... I just know that as I walked to my first class the day after she left this earth, I just had a knowing. I was still a bit shocked, having just spoken to her, but I knew... And in this case, so did at least two other people I knew at the time. Again, no words but condolences.. those who know who I mean, and miss her... will understand the depth of the loss.

And a final example... I had a knowing something was wrong in the family of one of my good friends from growing up. I hadn't spoken with anyone in the family for a few years... and then all of a sudden I knew I had to call. I didn't know why... but I did. Less than a week later, one of the two people who answered the phone was dead, and the other had found the first.  I think for me, this was the most intense other than the shooting and Michael Jackson. I'd be surprised if you're reading this, but I think you will know who you are if you do... and my dearest, deepest condolences to those of you who DO miss him. Your family member had a lot to give this world, and did much good, even if most didn't see it. I miss him, too... and all of you.

So, here's what's up: How many people have these experiences? Are they rare, or common? I've heard both as perspectives... but what does the Bible show about the commonality of this gift?

When I read the Bible, it was very rare that someone could sense a death. There were times when some of the prophets knew... like when Elijah was going to die and God revealed it to Elisha and the band of prophets that were nearby. God showed Hezekiah he was preparing to bring him home, and Hezekiah was able to intercede for himself in the hope God would add more years to his life. Mostly, though, God revealed the death of Jesus to many over the years, revealing it to His people throughout the centuries in pieces... right up until He was crucified and raised from the dead.

God revealed and continues to reveal to His people that which is important. He gives visions, dreams, words of wisdom and knowledge, discernment, and the auditory prophetic gifts to His people, and in this way, helps the Body of Christ have a fuller understanding of the times as well as the future.

God shows people a lot of different things; not just death. Most of what He shows us is life, or leads to life for one or more people. 

For example, when He showed me that if my ex's cousin went to court over a car accident she was in, there would be a deadly accident on the way to the courthouse. It was a dream, and I didn't know who she was... that she was even related. I just described what I saw, and he called the cousin, who was suing another cousin, and they stopped the case. An accident DID occur that day, but neither of these women were part of it.

Another time, a perfect stranger needed to heed a warning that God had for her, and she did, to her credit. She made the right decision, and as a result her family stayed together and stayed alive. Had she walked into what she was planning, then her family would have been lost to her. In her case, she had to decide between alcohol and life. A couple years after our conversation, she came up to me, and I didn't recognize her, I admit... but she walked up, gave me a hug, and said the word she received saved her life... was I an angel? I told her, no, I'm not an angel, but that sometimes God uses His people to speak into the lives of others so that there is clarity. The person hearing the word still has a choice, but they HAVE heard from God.

You see, when someone with a true prophetic gift, in whatever form it is... or a gift of word of wisdom or knowledge... it is one of the ways God speaks to the world. Sometimes this is showing a word picture so that when a death occurs, someone is prepared to help comfort others. Sometimes, it is helping someone see the decision in front of them so they can make the right choice. Sometimes, it is a word that brings healing, or encouragement. And there are other things God says through His people, but always, always, when the vessel is truly open to God and in line with Him, He speaks what He must and the outcome is then left for free choice to interact with the word.

When Jonah ran away from God, it was because he knew that Ninevah might repent and God wouldn't actually destroy their city. He knew God was compassionate and that when people repent... when they turn from their wicked ways... God sometimes relents. This was true with Hezekiah, as well... he knew that God is compassionate and full of mercy, and that if he turned his life around, God might grant him a furtherance in years to live.

What about you? When and if you've seen or heard specifically from God... when there has been a directive, or you had a dream, vision, or "knowing" of things happening or to come, how did you respond? What choice did you make?