According to biography (https://www.biography.com/news/john-lennon-imagine-song-facts
) “The impact of the song is unquestionable.
But disguised within its message of peace and love and its flowing piano
melody is a collection of edgy, “dangerous” ideas that challenge society as we
know it. The song that has become an anthem
all over the world is actually full of controversial lyrics and radical ideas.”
Paul McCartney, former Beatle companion of
the late John Lennon and who was known for being less than generous about Lennon’s
early solo career, admitted that from the first time he heard the song he knew
it was “a killer.”
Former President of the United States,
Jimmy Carter, said: “. . . in many
countries around the world --- my wife and I have visited about 125 countries
--- you hear John Lennon’s song “Imagine” used almost equally with national
anthems.”
This would almost seem ironic since within
the lyrics of the song are found the words: “Imagine there’s no countries/ It
isn’t hard to do / Nothing to kill or die for . . . “Continuing it’s almost
rebellious insinuations: “Imagine there’s no heaven . . . Imagine there’s no
countries . . . Imagine no possessions . . . And no religion, too.” It is almost humorous that at one time the
World Church approached Lennon asking if they could use his song but change the
lyrics to say “one religion” instead of “no religion.” Lennon said no.
The feelings of peace, hope, and
acceptance seem to permeate throughout the song. Yet the suggestive idea that
all things that have been currently connected with the prosperous means of life
should be abandoned. That all organized
functions of human society are things that should be abolished and accepted as
unnecessary by humankind.
If you pause for a moment and think seriously,
are not the things that differentiate individuals from each other the very things that
have been artificially put into place by human society from the beginning?
When God first created the human race
(Adam and Eve) there was only one religion.
There was no distinction between humans.
They shared all that God had provided for them. There was no one greater or lesser than the
other. Eve was not created as a slave to
Adam, but as a compliment to him. An
assistant wherein the two of them could work together to further the purpose of
God’s creation.
As mankind grew in numbers on the face of
the earth, it was shown that due to their imperfections, they now wanted prominence
over other humans. Cities were
formed. Kingdoms were established. All these things in opposition to God’s
purpose for humankind.
Humanity grew more violent until it
reached a point where God determined to wipe them out by means of a global
flood. This He did. Preserving only Noah and his family.
Today’s world has become “as it was in
the days of Noah.” Our Creator looks
upon the human race and sees the hatred, violence, and corruption as it existed
in that distant past. He once again sees
a need to remove the majority of mankind from the beautiful planet that he
created as our home. And according to his time table it will be done.
I once again think of the simplistic words
of that song written by John Lennon decades ago: a song that continues to
inspire people of all races and creeds, offering the one listening to it a
momentary glimmer of hope in a troubled world, especially in the beautiful
lines:
“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.”
QUOTE TO CONSIDER
THOUGHTFUL GEM
"Disorder is the lack of unity
and the absence of God."
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