What does Image of the Invisible mean?

Thrice: Image of the Invisible Meaning

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Album cover for Image of the Invisible album cover

Image of the Invisible Lyrics

We're more than carbon and chemicals
We are the image of the invisible
Free will is ours and we can't let go
We are the image of the invisible
We can't allow this, the quiet cull
We are the image of the invisible
So we sing out this, our...

  1. anonymous
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    Nov 28th 2006 !⃝

    I'm not saying anyone is wrong, or I am right, but I want to point out some things. Obviously because Dustin is a Christian, he wrote the lyrics to this song knowing that they refer to passages in the Bible. I definitely think that it can be an awesome outreach for the Invisible Children, but at the same time, this song has a much deeper meaning. To me, this song is pretty straight forward, it speaks of the hope we have in Jesus Christ. That is the passion in this song.

    This is going to be long, but I think this is pretty much what this song means.

    "we're more than carbon and chemicals"- To put it plainly, kids are taught evolution in schools today, basically a life without purpose, this song is saying there is more than that.

    "We are the image of the invisible"- We aren't just chemical compounds, we were created in the image of the invisible God.

    "Free will is ours and we can't let go (we are the image of the invisible)" We were created in the image of God, and we have the freedom to choose what we want to choose.

    "We can't allow this, the quiet cull,..."- These lines are calling us (Christians) to not sit back and watch all religious values be forgotten. The media, politicians, and many other things are calling for a "value-free, religion-free society. It is calling us to stand up for what we believe, and what the Bible teaches.

    "So we sing out this our canticle..." -We sing this song to stop all that from happening. The message of this song is being put out for the world to hear.

    "We all were lost, and we are found"- We all were lost in our sin, but we find new life in Christ. (It almost echoes lines from the hymn "amazing grace")

    "No on can stop us or slow us down" -"I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me."-Phillipians 4:13

    "We all are named and we are known, we know that we'll never walk alone."
    Isaiah 43:1-3~ "Fear not, for I have redeemed you; I have summoned you by name; you are mine. When you pass through the waters, I will be with you; and when you pass through the rivers, they will not sweep over you. When you walk through the fire you will not be burned; the flames will not set you ablaze. For I am the Lord, your God, the Holy One of Israel, your savior."

    "We're more than static, And dial tone.We are the image of the invisble. We're emblematic,Of the unknown. We are the image of the invisible." -Once again, God Created us in his image. And, we are His representatives, so we better represent Him well.

    "So raise the banner, Bend back your bows.We are the image of the invisible.Remove the cancer, Take back your souls.We are the image of the invisible."
    - Once again, this is calling us to not let society have it's way, it is calling us to be bold, to fight against the pressures that the world puts on us to give up our beliefs, and conform. It calls us remove the cancer(sin, as well as the lies and propoganda that the world tells us)and take back our souls.

    "What should it profit a man if he would gain the whole world yet lose his soul." (Mark 8:36)

    Thats it, I hope the message of this song comes off pretty clear. Feel free to check out my myspace page if you have any questions about Christianity, the meaning of this song, or the new life we have in Christ. -myspace.com/strengththroughweakness

  2. ABONURAGOLD
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    Nov 16th 2006 !⃝

    oh its "our caticle" I thought it was "our chronical call" cool!

  3. anonymous
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    Nov 14th 2006 !⃝

    All those people who called atomix an idiot are wrong, there are amateur interviews that prove him right. But, both sides are somewhat correct. Nothing is ever black and white, don't let your ideals get to your head. ;)

  4. anonymous
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    Sep 28th 2006 !⃝

    I agree completely man. Of course it's a biblical reference. To take it as governmental is to ignore the passion. Apart from the fact when I saw them live they said this song is about the one we serve. Ergo jesus.

  5. anonymous
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    Jul 2nd 2006 !⃝

    Okay so here it is...
    This song was written in a christian mindset. However it has been used heavily with invisiblechildren.com for obvious reasons.

    The meaning behind the song title and corresponding lyrics is that we as humans are created in the image of God.
    Verses Explained:
    "more than carbon and chemicals"
    God created us to be individuals

    "free will is ours..."
    we were given free will and even a Christians we don't have to give it up

    "we can't allow this..."
    "so we sing out this..."
    we were created to worship

    "we're more than static..."
    we as christians aren't just spitting out all the same things in all the same way. the theology may be the same but the method, and content, of delivery can be quite different

    "we're emblematic..."
    we as christians are what the world sees of God

    "so raise the banner..."
    a call for christians to start acting like christians and to quit being such horrible witnesses

    "remove the cancer..."
    get rid of the sin that is ruining you lives

    Chorus explained:
    "we all were lost..."
    think amazing grace...

    "no one can stop us..."
    with God on our side we cannot lose

    "we are the named..."
    again we Christians are still individuals

    "we know that..."
    even in our darkest times we know that God is with us

    The Video has dual meanings:
    1. The more obvious the the stunning likeness to the ugandan crisis. (see invisiblechildren.com for more)

    2. The smoke covered city represents the sin infested world we live in. The children is a visual symbol of Jesus's words found in Matt. 19:13-15. The soldiers represent Satan/Demons/Sins that come and take away our child-like innocence. The freedom fighters represent the many christians that are out to save the world from sin. However many are marytered or, as in the case of many free countries, are prevented from sharing the gospel by the government. However in the end they succeed and the scene at the end represents heaven. Also if you pay attention they make a point to show a cross at the end of the video.

    If you have any questions or comments you can get me at www.myspace.com/livexoutxloud

  6. anonymous
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    Apr 24th 2006 !⃝

    As much since as all of these inturps make.... Some have said this song was inspired by the "Invisible Children" that are in Northern Uganda. The horrific story on how these children are living in fear of their lives is very inspiring... To learn more about the "Invisible Children" visit the website: www.invisiblechildren.com and help make a statement like Thrice. The youth of America is about to change the world, and you can help be a part of it! Check it out!

  7. jeremy77
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    Apr 20th 2006 !⃝

    I'm pretty sure the image of the invisible is a song about the fact that the band thrice is a representative for the invisible children in africa who get obducted by the oppresive government in uganda called the Lord's Resistance Army (LRA). This interpretation of the song is based on the fact that the band thrice does donate money to help these children w/ reintegration into civilized life. They are in essence describing the lives of these children and saying that human life is more valuable than one's (or an oppresive government such as the LRA) selfish endeavors.

  8. anonymous
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    Mar 14th 2006 !⃝

    http://www4.islanddefjam.com/media/thrice/video/invisiblechildren.mov

    this should explain a lot

  9. anonymous
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    Mar 7th 2006 !⃝

    Christianity .. HA!

  10. AlkalineDave
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    Feb 23rd 2006 !⃝

    I thought the song was pretty straightforward. Videos should not be taken literally as an interpretation to a song. I do think that the video is allegorical but nothing more. The line ,"We are the image of the Invisible", makes it pretty clear where the song is headed. If you want to hear Dustin's take on the song, you should visit www.waterispoison.com and check out the most recent interview. That should help clear things up.

  11. anonymous
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    Feb 20th 2006 !⃝

    Marshall lion

    I think that this song is talking about the Bible. Maybe its just because I'm christian. But I'm sure others agree.
    I think they are using a bad government as a metaphor for religion.

  12. anonymous
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    Feb 6th 2006 !⃝

    Maybe it's an allegorical song....maybe they're trying to get the point across that "Christians" are being treated as an invisible people, and that their God is just as important as anyone elses.

    This interpretation has been marked as poor. view anyway
  13. anonymous
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    Jan 27th 2006 !⃝

    The song is about the government influencing negative things to the children and making them believe that they are nothing more than carbon and chemicals. It shows that children are easy targets for corprate influence thus forcing them away from their family.

  14. anonymous
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    Jan 21st 2006 !⃝

    I know that the concept for the video was given to the band by Gerard from My Chemical Romance. They are all really good friends. Gerard got the concept fram a movie but I can't remeber what the movie is called. Anyways that is what the video is about.

  15. atomixpro
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    Jan 16th 2006 !⃝

    Have might be wrong, but by the music video I'm pretty close




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