So this has been.my favorite song of OTEP's since it came out in 2004, and I always thought it was a song about a child's narrative of suffering in an abusive Christian home. But now that I am revisiting the lyrics, I am seeing something totally new.
This song could be gospel of John but from the perspective of Jesus.
Jesus was NOT having a good time up to and during the crucifixion. Everyone in the known world at the time looked to him with fear, admiration or disgust and he was constantly being asked questions. He spoke in "verses, prophesies and curses". He had made an enemy of the state, and believed the world was increasingly wicked and fallen from grace, or that he was in the "mouth of madness".
The spine of atlas is the structure that allows the titan to hold the world up. Jesus challenged the state and in doing so became a celebrated resistance figure. It also made him public enemy #1.
All of this happened simply because he was doing his thing, not because of any agenda he had or strategy.
And then he gets scourged (storm of thorns)
There are some plot holes here but I think it's an interesting interpretation.
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
Yeah
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
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the sun
I can only imagine when all I would do is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine, yeah
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
I can only imagine, yeah
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
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when all I would do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
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
Yeah
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
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when that day comes
And I find myself standing in the sun
I can only imagine when all I would do is forever
Forever worship You
I can only imagine, yeah
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
I can only imagine, yeah
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
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine, yeah
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine
I can only imagine when all I would do
Is forever, forever worship You
I can only imagine
Lyrics submitted by SongMeanings
I Can Only Imagine Lyrics as written by Bart Marshall Millard
Lyrics © ESSENTIAL MUSIC PUBLISHING
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I see no reason to interpret this song, the meaning is darn clear. What gets me is the purity of the song, how authentic and sincere. I remember hearing it on the overhead speaker at work a few times, thinking it's a pretty goofy song. Then one day it just kind of stunned me, how much I wanted that joy and hope the singer obviously has. I ended up flying to Reno to his concert,..yeah, me the lifelong "nothing matters" atheist, now I own ALL of Mercyme's albums. I haven't heard a group this good since the Beatles.