Book of Revelation—Defying the Ungodly Empire Then and Now

The Book of Revelation, written in the late First Century AD, exposes flattering lies and points to the harsh realities and a terrible future of the Roman empire. The empire is picturized as the dreadful beast empowered by the dragon (Rev. 13:1-10) and portrays Jesus as the slain lamb seated on God’s throne. The public media, which constantly propagated the imperial ideology at the expense of realities, was portrayed as another beast looking like lamb but has the tongue of the dragon – the Devil. Its sole purpose was to ensure the imperial beast’s enduring popularity and power, stifling any alternative narratives. (Rev. 13:11-18).

In the Roman Empire, every form of official communication—coins, statues, monuments, and announcements—told and retold ‘the way things are’ from the standpoint of the imperial ideology. The official Roman imperial gospel held that the Roman pantheon had chosen Caesar as the lord and saviour to maintain peace in the eternal city of Rome. Roman imperial ideology, or Pax Romana, boasted about its prosperity, power, and security. The military and political leaders were entrusted with ensuring that the Pax Romana was upheld throughout the empire.

Beneath this narrative were constant outcries, protests and revolts against oppression and other political injustices. These revolutionaries were quickly silenced and executed by local authorities, labelling them as traitors and bandits. Most of the poor people struggled under the burden of heavy taxation. But in the public story, realities were blurred, ideologies were magnified, and the emperors were glorified.

The Book of Revelation exposes the complete insanity of the beast and its followers by ascribing all praise and power to the Lamb. As Christ establishes His everlasting Kingdom of justice, righteousness, and peace, the empire will be held accountable for all its injustices and its public narratives will be proven to be pointless. The Church in India must resist ideologies that oppose the Kingdom of God by extending its ministry of love to suffering communities, avoiding numbness and ignorance.

(Rome by Photo by Jo Kassis)

Author: Naveen Alapati hails from Gangavathi, Karnataka, and is currently studying at India Bible College and Seminary. He has a passion for teaching and writing. He has also published some books, including Encountering the Beast and the Lamb: An Introduction to the Book of Revelation from an Indian Perspective (2022).

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