This dream reminded me of the importance of memorials. God asked the Israelites to erect memorials so they would not forget what He had done for them.  The structures were meant to help His people keep their focus on Him. But they repeatedly forgot Him.

“History merely repeats itself. It has all been done before. Nothing under the sun is truly new.” Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 NLT

War Monuments Dreams July 2016

It was dark outside. I was walking around a war memorial of monuments and tombstones. The grass was overgrown, covering the inscriptions on the flat tombstones. I came upon an extremely large statue of a man sitting on a horse, dressed in full military uniform. The time frame appeared to be a man from the Civil War. I took a particular interest in the horse and helmet.

I glanced to my right and saw another gravestone hidden in the grass. I kicked the grass out of the way and said, “These are so old I can barely read the inscriptions. I wonder who they were and what they did?” I continued to make my way around the tombstones, pushing the grass aside, trying to determine how long these individuals had been dead. When I came to the last one, I commented that it must be as old as Civil War days, possibly WWI.”  

As soon as I finished saying “WWI,” I saw an invisible circle, a globe of the world, hanging in the air amidst the black sky like the stars hang in the atmosphere.

Hundreds of pieces of cut mirrors and crystals were suspended, one-by-one in the middle of the globe. The mirrors were black as night but still distinguishable. The crystals also hung one-by-one and shone as bright as the stars. My first impression was how much I dislike modern art (which is true). I stared at this invisible globe that hung on its own and questioned how this could relate to the monuments as they would date back to the Civil War. Instantly I understood the significance of what I was seeing. The mirrors and crystals represent two groups of people in the world: those who are saved (represented by the crystals) and those who are spiritually dead/lost (dark mirrors). 

End of dream

There are two distinct interpretations to take away from this dream. There is the literal, prophetic, word that came to pass thirteen months after this dream when Americans began destroying statues that were originally erected to remember the lives of those who fought in the Civil War. The other takeaway is spiritually symbolic; to recognize how God views the past and our present hope through the physical bodies (buried/dead) and the spiritual bodies (souls/spirit).

Interpretation:

War memorials tend to honor those who have served in battle. The old military statue represents the past and captures a moment in time that is meant never to be forgotten.

The overall theme of the dream represents the battle for the souls of man and a reminder that “we don’t wage war as humans do. We use God’s mighty weapons, not worldly weapons, to knock down the strongholds of human reasoning and to destroy false arguments. 5 We destroy every proud obstacle that keeps people from knowing God.” I Corinthians 10:3-5

I was unable to determine who these unknown soldiers were. The eroded tombstones reveal that I cannot judge the living and the dead. I don’t know what they lived and died for. I don’t know if they sought redemption in Jesus Christ or died in their sins. Only God knows, and God will judge accordingly.

“Tell all the nations, “The Lord reigns!”  The world stands firm and cannot be shaken. He will judge all peoples fairly.” Psalm 96:10

The old tombstones and statues/monuments symbolize the steadfast warriors of our faith who fought the good fight (I Timothy 6:11-14). The eroded writings reveal the fading memory of these great men and women, as well as the movements/awakenings of God across our land and the world. People forget the good, and people forget God.

I paid particular attention to the horse and helmet. "The horse is prepared for the day of battle, but the victory belongs to the Lord." Proverbs 21:31 The helmet is a covering/protection and reinforces the need to wear the "helmet of salvation." The helmet of salvation reinforces this dream is a spiritual battle. Christians must always be prepared for the day of battle. Ephesians 6:10-18

The "globe/circle" was the projection of an image. The invisible circle representing that God has no beginning and no end. His love for this world also is constant and never-ending.

The modern, invisible circle/globe depicts present day. The crystals are those who reflect the image of God’s light; the saved, the redeemed. The mirrors represent the dark, lost souls of man and that the world is shrouded in darkness and sin. But, even in darkness, God’s light shines bright (brilliant crystals). Psalm 139:11-12

The mirrors and crystals are held in place by gravity, the force of the circle/globe. It’s a beautiful picture of how God holds all things together in his hands. The modern art suggests He is creating a new beautiful movement of his power and presence now or in the near future.

Looking at this as modern day art the battle is not just a reflection on the sins of the past, but the present. Many died in sin, and many are dying in sin today. The focus should always be on those still living in sin and darkness. We live in the world, but we are not part of the world. Christians are to stand strong amongst those who are dead in their sin and are to shine brightly for Jesus Christ.

When it comes to our own spiritual well-being it doesn’t matter what our forefathers did. It’s about the now. We must make our own decision today. Do we choose to live and die in our sin? Or, do we choose forgiveness, redemption, and to live firmly grounded in the Word of God, the hope of everlasting life?

Summary of I Corinthians 15 of things to come and our future hope. Spend time with God and read the entire chapter.

• This Good News of Jesus Christ saves you if you continue to believe the message I told you.

• Christ died for our sins, was buried, and raised from the dead on the third day, just as the Scriptures said.

• The Resurrection of the dead: we preach that Christ rose from the dead. Some say there will be no resurrection of the dead. If there is no resurrection of the dead, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, then your faith is useless and you are still guilty of your sins.

• All who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back.

• The last enemy to be destroyed is death.

• If the dead will not be raised, what point is there in people being baptized? Why do it unless the dead will someday rise again? Think carefully about what is right, and stop sinning.

• The glory of the heavenly bodies is different from the glory of the earthly bodies. Our bodies are buried as natural human bodies, but they will be raised as spiritual bodies.

• What I am saying, dear brothers and sisters are that our physical bodies cannot inherit the Kingdom of God.

• We will not all die, but we will all be transformed in the blink of an eye when the last trumpet is blown. At the trumpet sound, those who have died will be raised to live forever. We who are living will also be transformed. Our mortal bodies must be transformed into immortal bodies.

• For sin is the sting that results in death … But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.

• So, my dear brothers and sisters, be strong and immovable. Always work enthusiastically for the Lord, for you know that nothing you do for the Lord is ever useless.

“ Sometimes people say, ‘Here is something new!’ But actually it is old; nothing is ever truly new.  We don’t remember what happened in the past, and in future generations, no one will remember what we are doing now.” Ecclesiastes 1:9-11 NLT

Thumbnail photo by 12019 (General Ulysses S. Grant)

Tree stump tombstone by ddouk

Post November 30, 2017