THEOSISJerome of Stridon
The previous statement directed against the prophets, which we can clearly interpret as referring to false prophets, highlights the variety in prophetic expression, including dreams as Daniel experienced. The prophetic message is directed at those who put their faith in dreams, believing that everything they perceive is a divine communication meant for the saints and servants of God. However, when we observe that Pharaoh (Gen. 41) and Nebuchadnezzar (Dan. 2), both wicked rulers, received true dreams, it was not due to any merit on their part. Instead, it was intended to elevate the holy figures Joseph and Daniel and to make the hardened hearts of these tyrants aware of the grandeur of the Lord.
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Even today, there are individuals in the Church, particularly in our contemporary society, who present their fantasies as prophecies, often proclaiming, ‘I received a dream from the Lord, I had a dream, I had a dream.’ The Lord rebukes them, asking, ‘How long will it be in the heart of the prophets who prophesy lies and deceive their own hearts?’ Their intent is to lead people, just as the ancient Israelites who left Egypt forgot the name of God, to make future generations forget Me. Such prophecies do not originate from us or from the Lord; rather, they stem from the name of Baal, the idol of Sidon, or Babylon, which is similarly referred to as Beel.