Christianity and Roman Empire: A Revelation Perspective

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Recommended: The growth of Christianity during the Roman Empire

The first few hundred years of Christianity are represented by the theo-political model depicted in the Book of Revelation. The Book of Revelation shows a violent battle between God and the Devil. This battle in heaven reflects the battle on earth between Christians and the Roman Empire. Rome is being represented as the devil and Christians are being represented as God. Early Christians felt the world being hostile because of their religion, even when cooperating with authorities, the roman authorities were still hostile. The Roman authorities often accused Christians of treason and disloyalty to the Roman empire when they refused to worship the Roman gods. Christians were often persecuted against and blamed for empire being so weak. The Book of Revelation shows the eventual defeat of the devil by the son of God. Revelations keeps Christians hopeful that they will always be on the winning side even in the face of death. …show more content…

When Jesus arrives, he shows that the current violent politics were wrong and shows the Christians a new king. Jesus would be this new king. Although Jesus is the new king, he is not the earthly king. Instead Christ is the messiah or the king of the Jews and he claimed to fulfill Israel’s hopes. He dies on the cross to reject violent politics. Pecknold states, “It was in this event, seen in the light of the resurrection, which would cause the early Christians to think about a new way of being human, and thus a new way of being political.” Jesus introduces a new pattern of life and shows a vision of the end of politics. This new western political image brought by Jesus gave a new language that is considered the “highest form of community imaginable.” The church now gives this “highest form of community” instead of Roman

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