Willamette Valley Warning

Haven't been posting here lately because my computer's been on the fritz. However, this just crossed my desk and, whatever your opinion on prophecy or dream interpretation, I think this bears looking into.

The pastor of Beth Tefilah Messianic Congregation in Salem, OR is oncerned enough about a dream he had last Fall that he's placed it and his interpretation of it on their web site.

Just so you know, I am convinced that God speaks to us through dreams. However...I am usually very skeptical of so-called prophecies that show up in my in-box. Usually they are about as pertinent and pithy as fortune cookies or newspaper horoscopes, and as helpful. Often they are just attention-grabbing devices of self-proclaimed prophets and televangelists looking for lucrative speaking engagements, and I toss them in the round file where they belong. This one feels different to me, and here's the response I sent to the close friend who brought it to my attention:

Well, my initial take on this is that, whether or not this is a direct precognitive prophecy, this guy really had this dream and it had a huge impact on him. The plot and details of the dream are so non-surreal that I'm leaning toward his interpretation.

I will not be surprised at all if this actually does happen. Some of my reasons for agreeing with this warning:

1. The linear, non-surreal aspect of especially the first dream.
2. The matter of fact style of his "warning" (no hyper-religious mumbo jumbo or randomly quoted, out of context scripture.)
3. The symbolism of the second dream backs up his interpretation of the first dream.

4. The non-sensationalist style of this congregation's web page.
5. The fact that we're hearing about this before the fact, and not *after* (like so many popular "prophets" out there).

All five of those points are usually violated by guys like, say, KimClement, who really raises my hackles. I think folks in the Willamette valley should be warned. Like he says, if he's wrong, then it's a nice day out. If he's right, then you're in good shape!

It will be interesting to see what happens. If this is a case of misinterpretation of a dream meant to have only a personal meaning/message for the dreamer, then that's fine. I just as soon NOT see Portland dumped on. However, if I lived down there, I think I'd find somewhere else to be on June 18.