Whether we see signs in dreams, the heavens, or our life journeys, signs exist everywhere. While some are obvious, we can easily overlook subtle signs. In this post, we will look at several signs (confirmed, delayed, missed, in the heavens, and signs of the times). I will also share two dreams about signs.

Confirmed Signs

At the time of Jesus’ arrival, there was no room at the inn for His parents.

And she brought forth her firstborn Son, and wrapped Him in swaddling cloths, and laid Him in a manger, because there was no room for them in the inn. (Luke 2:7, NKJV)

Mary recalled the words of the angel who foretold Jesus’ birth:

He will be great, and will be called the Son of the Highest; and the Lord God will give Him the throne of His father David. (Luke 1:32, NKJV)

How could the Son of God be born in such a humble place? (Things were not going as expected.) Just then, some shepherds arrived babbling excitedly about an Angel and seeking “a baby lying in a manger.” Mary suddenly realized the manger was not some random inconvenience. It was a confirmed sign. The Bible reveals many similar “coincidences” orchestrated by divine design and confirmed by others. Later, a devout man named Simeon “found” Baby Jesus at the temple in Jerusalem and declared Jesus’ destiny.

Delayed Signs

Hundreds of years earlier, Joseph, the great-grandson of Abraham, faced injustice after injustice in Egypt. He finally found himself in the right place at the right time (in prison), or so he supposed. After he interpreted the dream of the butler, an official in the Pharaoh’s court, Joseph made an earnest appeal. “When you return to the palace, please tell the Pharaoh about my case. I am innocent.” (Genesis 40:14-15, paraphrased)

Indeed, this unusual opportunity had to be a sign preceding the fulfillment of Joseph’s dream about his promotion. It was a longshot, but Joseph had hope. But weeks of waiting to hear back from the butler turned into months, and months became years. We do not need to wonder how Joseph felt. Perhaps you, too, can relate to difficult seasons of prolonged waiting. Abraham waited for twenty-five years to see the fulfillment of his promise.

Hope deferred makes the heart sick. (Proverbs 13:12 a)

Joseph’s story does not end here. Suddenly, when he least expected it, Joseph gained his freedom and promotion – within the same hour! (Genesis 41: 37-46). And his dreams came true.

Signs in the Heavens

Some signs are profound and are visible to many people. According to timeanddate.com, tetrads, or four “blood moons” in a row, six months apart, are part of a 600-year cycle. After nothing for 300 years, these fascinating lunar eclipses should return every 15 years for the rest of the cycle. Did you take a peek at the night sky during the last occurrence in 2014-2015?

Jesus foretold signs in the Heavens as well as wars and rumors of wars before He returns. (We can certainly check off these boxes). However, God also uses signs in the Heavens to communicate crucial messages or to show us His wonders.

For example, when God wanted to show Abraham that his descendants would be numerous, God directed His childless and faithful friend to try to count the stars in the heavens. Hundreds of years later, some of these promised descendants, led by Joshua, needed more daylight hours to win a battle. So, Joshua commanded the sun to stand still. It did! (Joshua 10:1-15)

Another celestial wonder manifested when the prophet Isaiah told King Hezekiah to prepare to die. Heartbroken by this news, Hezekiah prayed to the Lord to remember his obedience and service. God heard Hezekiah’s petition and mercifully gave Hezekiah a 15-year life extension. The prophetic word sounded great, but Hezekiah desired proof. Consequently, God made the shadow on the sundial go back ten steps! (Isaiah 38: 8).

Signs of the Times

While some signs manifest immediately, like Hezekiah’s, others do not appear for generations. For example, the sign spoken to King Ahaz that the “Virgin shall conceive and bear a Son” was not fulfilled for over 500 years! (Isaiah 7:14). On the other hand, the sign of the handwriting on the wall came to pass on the same day (see Daniel 5).

God also gives individually tailored signs with directions to help us choose the right door and find our life destiny (as mentioned in The Human Race and Steppingstones to Destiny). I recently pondered the following two dreams seen on the same night some years ago. Ironically, I did not grasp the importance of these dreams at the time I saw them. However, I am sharing them here because they may be relevant for these times and seasons.

Signs in Dreams

Dream 1: I was in a car with people I did not know. We arrived at the parking lot for a strip mall (shopping center). The driver searched for a parking spot but could not find one. Puzzled, I wondered if he could not read the signs. Every parking spot had a different sign (similar to those reserved for handicapped parking). The messages were specific. For example, “Park here to visit an office on the other side of the strip mall without driving over there.” We parked and then entered a restaurant. A sign near our table read, “50% off here.” Somehow, I knew that others in the restaurant would pay the total price because they missed the sign.

Dream 2: I looked intently at a couple sitting close to me. I did not know them, and they could not see me. His flawless pressed shirt had alternating gray and white horizontal stripes, and he was overweight. His wife was thin and sad, wearing oversized rings far too large for her right hand. (In the dream, I seemed to focus on every fine detail.) My gaze shifted through a window to a visible part of their split-level roof. The metal roof had copper-looking tiles of varying shapes, unlike anything I had ever seen. In contrast, a house next door had a plain shingle roof. (end)

I awakened with understanding and hearing: Pay attention! God will show you, even in this economy, where to get deals and meals. He may say, “Park here,” to save time and effort. He will show signs for ministry, people, property, and finances. (Did you spot the embedded vision? I will explain Dream 2 in our next online dream course).

Missed Signs

Do we miss signs? All the time. For me, hindsight always looks a lot clearer. Over the years, I have learned that when we miss essential signs, the Lord, in His wisdom and mercy, will give us more. Often, these present as repetitive dreams. However, we also receive messages from the Scriptures and through other people.

Sometimes, the Lord may speak quietly or very loudly and clearly to us.

Wisdom calls aloud outside… Surely, I will pour out my Spirit on you; I will make my words known to you. (Proverbs 1:20-23).

At other times, the Lord may lead us to that uncomfortable spot between “a rock and a hard place,” where we have no choice but to listen to Him. Are you there right now? Dear One, take courage! This difficult place will eventually open a door of hope!

I will give her vineyards from there, And the Valley of Achor as a door of hope (Hosea 2:15).

Understanding Signs in Dreams

Seeing signs in dreams is one of several ways God speaks to us. Furthermore, multiple spiritual dreams seen on the same night typically convey the same message. So, what did I glean from my two dreams? “Read the signs and do not overlook details. Look carefully and look for confirmations!” 

My understanding of dreams came by looking intently at them from a heavenly perspective. To learn more about signs in dreams and the interpretive process, please take our free course: Laying Dream Foundations. The second course in this 3-part series, Building Interpretive Skills, will be published soon. Regardless of the signs you encounter, I encourage you to pray for wisdom and keep revisiting the sign or dream until the meaning becomes clear.

Thank you so much for visiting my site and reading this post! Your questions and comments are welcome.