Author Michelle Benally
Reviewed by Theresa Harvard Johnson
In the 10 years I’ve walked with the Lord in scribal ministry, I must say that “The Seven Year Dream,” a book written and published by Michelle Benally of Virginia, is easily one of the most unique and thought provoking books by a prophetic writer that I’ve ever read.
Holy Spirit immediately took me to Job 33:14-16 which says: “For God may speak in one way or in another, yet man does not perceive it. In a dream, in a vision of the night when the deep sleep falls upon men, while slumbering in their beds, then he opens the ears of men and seals their instruction. In order to turn man from his deed and conceal pride from man, He keeps back his soul from the Pit, and his life from perishing by the sword.”
Benally has taken a bold step in writing this book, as there are many people among the congregation of the Lord today that give very little weight and credence to the revealing of dreams – especially those that provide instruction and insight concerning understanding the times in which we live, and into navigating our way through. When reading this book from the context of the scripture above, it is clear that “The Seven Year Dream” isn’t a dream book at all based on the perspective of men, but a prophetic instruction guide filled with warnings and strategies for protection and triumph over sin. Its goal is to keep us from the pit and to keep our lives from perishing by the sword.
The Seven Year Dream covers the critical importance of knowing the Word; standing firm in the Word; rightly identifying and resisting the enemy; overcoming fear; avoiding compromise; remembering the weapons of fasting and prayer; holding fast to the promises of God and remembering who we are in Him. Each dream is followed by its prophetic interpretation. Each interpretation is preceded by and fortified with strong scriptural foundation – bringing understanding and clarity concerning the perspective the author is conveying to the readers. For me, this was an important aspect of the book and serves as a guide through which I could apply the dreams to my own life or even that of the congregation of the Lord in the context in which they were revealed.
The dream entitled, “Forgotten,” is an excellent example of this. It addresses the need for believers to constantly guard themselves against receiving a polluted gospel. In the interpretation, the strategies for bringing a polluted gospel into the ears of saints are revealed along with the strategies for overcoming them. One area specifically addressed was the spirit of entertainment – which for me has been a consistent warning from the mouths of seasoned saints across our congregations. Reading the dream, brought great confirmation and affirmation to me as a leader concerning what Father is saying to His people.
In the past, I’ve read books that follow a single dream – walking the believer through a supernatural experience. However, it is refreshing and challenging to see the Lord chronicle a series of dreams in book form that will serve as a reference in our present time of situations that we not only face as individuals, but as a congregation. Benally concludes the book with a series of very unique charts that summarize what the Lord has revealed. The charts include: The Devil’s Strategy of Fear and Violence; God’s Weapons of Spiritual Warfare; and a Compilation of Lessons Learned. In addition, there are prayers of repentance and salvation.
In addition Benally writes: I have written this book in hopes that through it, some will find God and others will turn back to God. He doesn’t want to frighten us but to save us.”
I would recommend this book to prophetic people who are hearing the trumpet of the Lord calling us to sound the alarm – drawing people into a place of conviction and repentance. I commend the author, Benally, on taking such a bold step in such a misunderstood area of apostolic and prophetic anointing. I pray that more would catch the true significance of recording dreams and visions from the Lord in book form.
TO ORDER:
To order The Seven Year Dream, send your inquiry by email.
8.5×11 Coil Binding
The cost of the book is $10 plus $4 S/H.
