Is Perception Reality?

We have all heard the saying “Perception is Reality? But is that statement true? This is a byline often used by marketing executives because their job is to create reality or at least a perceived reality. The perceived reality they create may or may not be based on truth but they know the power of creating perception around a brand. Billions of dollars are made by creating perception. Companies pay billions for perception to be created.

So is perception reality or does reality sit somewhere outside our perception? Is our current reality real or is it a facade of our own desires, our culture, or clever marketing. Is it possible we can walk through life and not perceive what is real?

Ultimate reality sits outside of our earthly senses. It is something that we often glimpse but do not fully see. It is always near but can’t be comprehended or seen fully by human understanding. If you think what a strange topic. Take a look at the book Ezekiel in the Bible.

5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man,6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved. 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. Ezekial 1:5-11

Somewhere outside our earthly senses firmly sits a spiritual world. It looks different, smells different, feels different, operates on a different plain, and values things differently. This world is truly another dimension. It is eternal and will continue to exist when this earth and everything in it is gone. It is a reality we will all face one day. We can hide from that reality while in this life but one day we will cross out of this life and will face it. Things will be seen as they really exist.

So what is this reality? This reality is God and He cannot be escaped. There is nothing on the other side of Him. He is the endpoint. Nothing exists beyond Him. No one can go around Him. Great men, small men, famous men, rich men , poor men will all face Him. Many belief systems and false images of God “man created” are going to hit the floor with a resounding thud.

What we did with Christ will determine what happens in that moment we come face to face. Maybe we don’t like to think about such things. But we can scarcely afford not to. The timeline of eternity has no end.

For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, that each one may receive what is due him for the things done while in the body, whether good or bad. 2 Corinthians 5:10

So to answer the my own question. Is “Perception Reality”? No perception is not reality. Reality is God.

Shane Harris