They say that I’m a dreamer
I know I may offend a lot of people out there with this statement, but everyone is entitled to an opinion. I thought this song by John Lennon was an anti-establishment hippy song when I heard it as a teenager. The Beatles took a lot of backlash when they told the population that they were more popular than Jesus Christ. You never saw anyone back pedal as fast as that band did after making that statement. I watched a documentary years later, and it was stated that nearly finished the band, but some spin doctors saved the day.
Imagine
Imagine there’s no heaven
It’s easy if you try
No hell below us
Above us only sky
Imagine all the people living for today
Imagine there’s no countries
It isn’t hard to do
Nothing to kill or die for
And no religion too
Imagine all the people living life in peace, you
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Imagine no possessions
I wonder if you can
No need for greed or hunger
A brotherhood of man
Imagine all the people sharing all the world, you
You may say I’m a dreamer
But I’m not the only one
I hope some day you’ll join us
And the world will be as one
Now that I am years removed from my personal bias about the song, if you take away the first line about there being no heaven, and the one about there being no hell, the rest of the song describes what heaven will be like. No divided countries, no wars, no death, no hunger, there will be no tears, no killing, no possessions for anyone to be envious of, and no darkness or need of religion, because every one there will be in the presence of our living Lord.
The song is titled ‘Imagine’ and just like the song, ‘I Can Only Imagine’ it should make you stop and think what it will be like to have those things like war, sickness, and death, removed from your life. And to find yourself in the presence of the God who made the universe. John also misses the point about hell, (it would be nice if, as the new pope would have you believe, there isn’t one), but many people will be very surprised when they end up there. I really don’t want to imagine what that will be like. Where the worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched. Remember, nothing in the Bible has ever been proven wrong, but the prophecies have come true. Life isn’t Las Vegas, if you bet on no heaven and no hell you stand to lose everything.
As parents we need to teach our children about the Bible truths. How we are so loved by the one and only God, which He sent His Son to die for our sins. Eternal life promises to have no sickness, dying, wars, or anything evil or dark. I am looking forward to spending eternity with my family surrounded by nothing but love.
We as authors find that our characters are always stronger when they are grounded in faith. Why would we want them to be any different than our own life experiences? I have always been told; write what you know about!
And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof.
And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it.
And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there.
Revelations 21:4, 23-25
But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him.
I Corinthians 2:9
Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:
But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:
For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.
Matthew 6:21
Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.
II Peter 3:13