I was in China in a classroom situation with a beautiful young Chinese woman. She had long black hair and was quite tall. She was wearing a trousers suit. She was teaching children. I knew she was a Christian. She was teaching the children a forbidden subject in a large room. I went and sat in her class next to the children on the front row.
In the first perspective I was observing myself with the children and sitting with them, at the same time looking at the teacher, and she was looking at us. It was a panned out shot.
Then in the second perspective I was with the children looking at the teacher. It was a close up shot. (I was identifying with them).
I was there to learn. We had a large open book on our laps. She was teaching the forbidden subject when two people came in to escort her away. The children were innocent they did not know what was happening. I knew I had to make a stand with her even though they had not come for me. I went to them. They had taken hold of her hand and I made them take hold of me as well. There was a strong sense of identification with the young woman. There was also a lighter sense of wanting to marry her.
Outside there was a large group gathering of people of mixed ages. They were all colourfully dressed in all kinds of different clothes. I was looking down on them from above. They were gathering to make a nuisance of themselves. I think they were looking up at me and pointing. I knew in the dream this was about persecution.
The first thought I have about the dream is that I need to pray for my sisters in Christ and others like this Christian sister who represents them.
The sense of identification and union with a sister in Christ was very marked.
There’s some double meanings going on here:
- This is actually happening in China now in our time.
- This is a dream to teach about the subject of persecution and how we need to be identifying with our brothers and sisters even though we have not been ‘called for’ by the authorities.
- To demonstrate the seriousness of the scriptures, how important it is to teach our children about the Bible.
- Teaching is a kind of preparation for the future. The teacher could be Holy Spirit who embodies, personifies, incarnates, represents a person or a people.
A scripture came to mind as I was considering its meaning. The verses come from Jesus’ teaching from the mount.
Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, because theirs is the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when they insult you and persecute you and say all kinds of evil things against you, lying on account of me. Rejoice and be glad, because your reward is great in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets before you. (Matthew 5:10–12, LEB, https://ref.ly/logosres/LLS:LEB?ref=BibleLEB2.Mt5.10-12)
Tim Mackie, from the Bible Project defines the word ‘blessed’ helpfully as How good is life.
My other question about the dream I am asking why now? Some of the answer so far is that loving our persecuted Christian brothers and sisters through supporting them is part of loving His church.
There’s also a sense that this is also figurative at this time. Some of Yahweh’s offspring are like children they do not understand about persecution. There’s a need for them to be taught about what’s happening in a sensitive way.
Even though Paul went through persecution he tells Timothy that the Lord delivered him from all of them!
But you have faithfully followed my teaching, way of life, purpose, faith, patience, love, endurance, persecutions, and sufferings that happened to me in Antioch, in Iconium, and in Lystra, what sort of persecutions I endured, and the Lord delivered me from all of them. And indeed, all those who want to live in a godly manner in Christ Jesus will be persecuted. But evil people and imposters will progress to the worse, deceiving and being deceived. But you continue in the things which you have learned and are convinced of, because you know from whom you learned them, and that from childhood you have known the holy writings that are able to make you wise for salvation through faith in Christ Jesus. All scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness, in order that the person of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.
The dream touches on various themes in the passage above.
Other passages of scripture about persecution are as follows:
Dear friends, do not be surprised at the fiery ordeal among you, when it takes place to test you, as if something strange were happening to you. But to the degree that you share in the sufferings of Christ, rejoice, so that also at the revelation of his glory you may rejoice and be glad. If you are reviled on account of the name of Christ, you are blessed, because the Spirit of glory and of God rests on you. By all means do not let anyone of you suffer as a murderer or a thief or an evildoer or as a meddler. But if someone suffers as a Christian, he must not be ashamed, but must glorify God with this name.
Rejoice with those who rejoice; weep with those who weep.
Carry the burdens of one another, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
Because to you has been graciously granted on behalf of Christ not only to believe in him, but also to suffer on behalf of him, having the same struggle which you saw in me and now hear about in me.
Now I rejoice in my sufferings on behalf of you, and I fill up in my flesh what is lacking of the afflictions of Christ, on behalf of his body which is the church,
So they went out from the presence of the Sanhedrin rejoicing, because they had been considered worthy to be dishonored for the sake of the name.
Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials, because you know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
Do not be afraid of the things which you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison so that you may be tested, and you will experience affliction ten days. Be faithful until death, and I will give you the crown of life.
A search for the meaning of China means middle kingdom or central state.
The English name for China is believed to have originated from the Qin (or Ch’in) dynasty. However, within China, the country is called “Zhongguo”, which translates to “Middle Kingdom” or “Central Country,” reflecting the traditional Chinese view of China as the centre of civilisation. 21 Feb 2025
The reason it’s pertinent is in this case it’s a symbol of the kingdom of God. That which is central, that which is in the middle is important. The woman in the dream is of that kingdom.
An interesting link from a Google AI synopsis about identification:
When considering “identification” in a biblical context, it’s important to understand that it often carries deeper, spiritual connotations than simply recognizing someone or something. Here’s a breakdown of how that concept appears, and some related concepts:
Recognition:
- This is a basic element. In the Bible, recognizing God’s presence, or recognizing Jesus as the Messiah, is a key theme.
- Also the recognition of Gods chosen people.
Relationship/Connection:
- A significant aspect of biblical “identification” involves the relationship between God and humanity. This can be seen in the concept of a covenant, which establishes a special connection.
- For example, the covenant with Abraham, and the new covenant through Jesus Christ.
Belonging/Membership:
- Being “identified” with a group, such as the people of Israel or the body of Christ (the church), is also important.
- This is shown in acts such as circumcision in the old testament, and baptism in the new testament.
Witness/Testimony:
- In the bible, identification can be shown through the act of bearing witness to faith.
- This is seen through the actions of the apostles.
Oneness/Unity:
- The concept of believers being “one” with Christ, and with each other, is a powerful form of identification in the New Testament.
Therefore, rather than a single synonym, the biblical concept of “identification” is better understood through related terms like:
- Recognition
- Relationship
- Belonging
- Witness
- Unity.
In the dream the woman wasn’t going out of her way to get persecuted. She was doing what she believed to be the right thing teaching the children about the Bible. Persecution was a bi-product of what she was doing. I was there as a pupil initially, unwittingly being someone considered for persecution. I was participating with all the children in listening and being taught.
The Bible contains the words of God. Jesus is known as the living word and also as the Bridegroom. Something about that strikes me as I write here. The woman represents the bride of Christ. There’s a hint of me wanting to marry her within the dream. The Lord said to me very clearly on two separate occasions Will you marry me?! and Will you love my church?! This dream reminds me of that. There’s a call for those of us who follow Jesus to love Him by loving the church. I don’t mean a building. I do mean the Ekklesia which is written of many times within the New Testament. The community of believers who follow Jesus and share their lives together.
This woman is symbolic of being an outcast because she follows Jesus and is sharing his words with children.
I am made aware of some other scriptures which speak of these things:
And when the dragon saw that he had been thrown down to the earth, he pursued the woman who had given birth to the male child.
The Greek word behind this word pursued here in this verse is διώκω diōkō; so translated due to its context. It can also be translated as persecuted. In the Christian Standard Bible notes the woman is likened to believing Israel.
Jesus in John 15 speaks also about this identifying with him.
If you were of the world, the world would love you as its own; but because you are not of the world, but I chose you out of the world, therefore the world hates you.Remember the word that I said to you: ‘A servant is not greater than his master.’ If they persecuted me, they will also persecute you. If they kept my word, they will also keep yours. But all these things they will do to you on account of my name, because they do not know him who sent me.
Not only is identification with the main character in view within the dream but participation or partnership. I will draw this idea out further in one of the later dreams. The influence of the world is explored further in another of the dreams.
The idea of authorities coming to take people away is a very real danger for Christians in other parts of the world and has even been noted here in the UK. It is a challenge to me personally to make a stand with fellow persecuted brothers and sisters in Christ. I don’t know what that looks like yet. We need to be ready to make a stand.
Will you pursue me even through the difficulties? Will you identify with me when things are hard? To pursue is to be eager to chase.
Figuratively identify with those things in your life which are difficult, align with them and if you’re one who believes in Jesus say to that tricky situation ‘I will not be overcome by you I will walk with you and identify with you’.
Consider it all joy, my brothers, whenever you encounter various trials, because you* know that the testing of your faith produces endurance. And let endurance have its perfect effect, so that you may be mature and complete, lacking in nothing.
But Jesus called them to himself, saying, “Allow the children to come to me, and do not forbid them, for to such belongs the kingdom of God. Truly I say to you, whoever does not welcome the kingdom of God like a young child will never enter into it.”
Something practical to do here is to support a project which is helping Christians who are persecuted. Here is a link to a project that is underway: Arise Africa