The Symbol of Swiftness: When Imagination Moves Without Delay

The Bible, when read symbolically, reveals a recurring thread of swiftness—those moments when the movement of Spirit or imagination produces an immediate result. These moments are not merely narrative devices but symbolic expressions of a deeper spiritual law: once belief is fully accepted, manifestation can be instantaneous.

This idea is perhaps most clearly illustrated in the Gospel of Mark, the shortest and most fast-paced of the four Gospels. Mark is known for its repeated use of the word “immediately” (Greek: euthys), signalling the urgency and readiness of spiritual truth to unfold once recognised. In Mark’s account, Jesus performs miracles quickly, moves from town to town without hesitation, and wastes no time debating or lingering. This Gospel represents the swift movement of imagination when it is not doubted, delayed, or filtered through reason.

Another example appears in the story of Elijah outrunning Ahab’s chariot (1 Kings 18:46). After a prolonged drought, Elijah calls down rain through a simple act of inward assurance. Once he has declared it done, he becomes energised and outruns the very vehicle of the king. Symbolically, Elijah’s state of consciousness—aligned with the divine—transcends the logic and limits of the world. It is imagination moving ahead of circumstance.

We see the same quality in the story of Philip in the book of Acts. After baptising the Ethiopian eunuch, “the Spirit of the Lord caught Philip away” and he was found in another city. Philip, whose name means “lover of horses”, carries the image of spiritual speed. Horses in biblical symbolism often represent power and swift movement of thought. Here, the moment the spiritual work is complete, Philip is repositioned instantly—a metaphor for the non-linear movement of imagination.

Even in the opening of Genesis, this principle is established: “Let there be light: and there was light.” There is no delay, no process, only the declaration and the realisation. This is how imagination works when it is not hindered by doubt. Neville Goddard often said that imagining creates reality, and the Bible affirms that this creation does not need time—only inner conviction.

Other Biblical Examples of Swiftness

1. Abraham’s Servant (Genesis 24)
   When Abraham sends his servant to find a wife for Isaac, the servant prays that the right woman will reveal herself through a sign—and before he had finished speaking, Rebekah appears. This swiftness symbolises the speed at which imagination (prayer or intention) is fulfilled when it is specific and faithful. The servant represents the disciplined imagination, sent forth with purpose and certainty.

2. Peter Walking on Water (Matthew 14:29)
   When Peter steps out of the boat to walk towards Jesus, he initially walks on water—instantly responding to Jesus’s call. His ability to do so only falters when he begins to doubt. This moment represents the swift power of faith when it moves without questioning, and how quickly the ‘miraculous’ collapses when fear intrudes.

3. The Woman with the Issue of Blood (Mark 5:25–34)
   She believes that if she can just touch the hem of Jesus’s garment, she will be healed. The moment she acts on this belief, the healing is immediate. Jesus perceives that “virtue” has gone out from him, underscoring how instantaneous the response is when conviction is pure and direct.

4. Zacchaeus (Luke 19:1–10)
   Zacchaeus climbs a tree to see Jesus, and as soon as he is seen, Jesus calls him by name and says he must come to his house. The transformation is immediate—Zacchaeus promises to give half his goods to the poor and repay anyone he has cheated. This rapid change in state symbolises how quickly a new awareness can shift the whole direction of one’s life.

5. The Centurion’s Servant (Matthew 8:5–13)
   The centurion believes Jesus can heal his servant just by speaking a word, and Jesus responds: “Go thy way; and as thou hast believed, so be it done unto thee.” The text says “his servant was healed in the selfsame hour.” Again, faith without hesitation yields immediate results.

6. The Healing of the Blind Man (John 9:1–12)
   In the story of Jesus healing the blind man, Jesus instructs him to go wash in the Pool of Siloam. The moment the man obeys, his sight is restored. This immediate response showcases the swiftness of manifestation when one acts upon divine direction. The healing is not a gradual process; it happens in a moment of obedience and faith.

7. The Resurrection of Lazarus (John 11:38-44)
   While Lazarus had been dead for four days, Jesus speaks with absolute certainty: “Lazarus, come forth!” And Lazarus comes out of the tomb immediately, completely restored. Jesus’s command doesn’t allow for time or doubt—Lazarus is raised in a moment. This illustrates that the power of the imagination, when directed with certainty, can even overcome death itself, resulting in an instant shift in reality.

8. The Conversion of Saul (Acts 9:1-18)
   Saul, later known as Paul, has an immediate transformation on the road to Damascus. Struck blind by a vision of Jesus, he hears the command to go to the city and awaits instructions. When Ananias prays for him, his sight is restored, and Saul immediately begins preaching the message of Christ. His spiritual awakening is swift and dramatic—illustrating the profound power of sudden internal shifts.

9. The Call of the Disciples (Matthew 4:18-22)
   When Jesus calls Simon Peter, Andrew, James, and John to follow Him, they immediately leave their fishing nets and follow Him. There is no hesitation or prolonged deliberation; they are ready and their response is swift. This represents the readiness of the heart to align with divine purpose when the call is heard and accepted.

10. The Conversion of the Philippian Jailer (Acts 16:25-34)
    After an earthquake opens the prison doors, the Philippian jailer, seeing the miracle, asks Paul and Silas what he must do to be saved. They reply, “Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and thou shalt be saved, and thy house.” The jailer’s belief is immediate, and his household is baptised that same hour. The swiftness of the change in the jailer’s life is a reflection of the rapid transformation possible when one’s belief is anchored in the divine.

11. The Instant Healing of the Paralytic (Mark 2:1-12)
    When Jesus sees the faith of the paralytic’s friends, He immediately tells the man: “Son, thy sins be forgiven thee,” and “Arise, and take up thy bed, and go thy way into thine house.” The healing is instant, and the paralytic rises and walks. This story symbolises how faith, when truly recognised and embodied, can bring about immediate change.

12. The Woman Who Anointed Jesus (Mark 14:3-9)
    The woman who anoints Jesus with expensive perfume receives Jesus’s praise for performing an act of deep devotion. Jesus declares that her act of faith will be remembered wherever the Gospel is preached. The swiftness of her recognition of Jesus as the Messiah and her instant action highlights how quickly devotion can align a person with the divine flow, bringing about eternal significance.

---

The Power of Imagination in Manifestation

Swiftness, then, is not about earthly time but about inward clarity. When imagination is seen as the creative power of God—and when this is accepted without resistance—results follow immediately, just as they do in the symbolic language of the Bible.