Over the nearly 50 years since it was written, the song’s lyrics have been the subject of much debate.
It opens with the line, “Imagine there’s no heaven, it’s easy if you try, no hell below us, above us only sky”. Instead of being inspirational, it is an incredibly sad and desperate message with no hope at the end of life … nothing.
The song asks us to imagine a life with no God and no eternity and to contemplate how perfect that world would be. Sadly, this is not a new proposition. Over the years, mankind has tried to remove God from their lives and the result has not been good. In the face of the many economic, environmental and health problems of our times the hopeless message of “Imagine” is inadequate.
“I can only Imagine” was written by a group called Mercy Me. This song, in stark contrast, is full of hope and asks us to imagine what our first day in heaven will be like.
Imagine being in the presence of Jesus Christ, the Son of God; standing in awe of the perfect Man who died on the cross for our sins.
Imagine being in a place which is described in Revelation 21:4 (ESV), “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning, nor crying, nor pain anymore, for the former things have passed away”.
The message in this song is positive and true. There is a heaven and a hope. A place where we can live eternally in peace and harmony, all because “God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life” (John 3:16).
John Lennon asks us to imagine a world without God. In the Bible, God tells us that we cannot imagine the good things that are waiting in heaven for those who love Him – they are beyond our wildest dreams.
“But as it is written: ‘Eye has not seen, nor ear heard, nor have entered into the heart of man the things which God has prepared for those who love Him’” (I Corinthians 2:9).
An empty song or the promise of the living God – imagine!
I can only imagine
what it will be like
When I walk by Your side
I can only imagine
What my eyes will see
When Your face is before me
I can only imagine
Surrounded by Your Glory
What will my heart feel?
Will I dance for You, Jesus
Or in awe of You be still?
Will I stand in Your presence
Or to my knees will I fall?
Will I sing hallelujah?
Will I be able to speak at all?
– Mercy Me
