Excerpts from speech given by Janet Melnyk, J. M. Ward Distinguished Quaker Visitor 2004 … The most famous Biblical apocalypse is the New Testament Apocalypse of John, Revelation. Part of what the book reveals is the horror of the Roman Empire.
… When an empire [like Rome] is talking peace on one hand but destroying with the other hand, everyone’s destiny is at stake. The destiny of each individual certainly, but also since it’s an empire we are dealing with, the destiny of the human race is in danger, and even the destiny of the cosmos.
… The nature of the ‘evil’ of the Roman Empire as stated in the Book of Revelation is that it is hypocritical. Rome was killing people and oppressing people, getting away with it, and were making money all the while.
Rome was becoming an intolerable time bomb. It was an unjust society, and the people were becoming dissatisfied. The culture was seeing the opposites of a situation instead of the larger middle, and they were viewing history as a single timeline. They believed that violence could save and change, and the hold of salvation was what justified and allowed for the redemptive violence.
Those are the ancient apocalyptic features, and they translate somewhat differently in modern apocalypse thinking.
… There would be persuasion through fear – heightened warning from the government right before they present a chance in policy. There would be a focus on saving oneself and those whom one loves, generally by destroying whomever is perceived as the enemy. The culture would be idealistic and separatist, with clear division as to who is on ‘their’ side. There would be a limited vision for social change, and the inhabitants would worry only about what would affect them. Finally, this culture would have no eye for the future.
… Let’s think about our culture for a moment. When was the last time you saw violence? Where do we see the most violence in our country? What do you think it says about us when we have made violence into a form of entertainment?
Remember, the Romans had their gladiators.
… So how do we read the Apocalypse?
John is clearly speaking to the Roman Empire, and clearly writing to a specific audience. But do we ignore what he was saying, or do we apply his symbols and visions from the first century to our time?
… Another contributor to the Bible was Zephaniah. He spoke of the coming “Day of the Lord” which would not be a simple spiritual renewal, but one where this world comes to reflect God’s vision of a world without violence, injustice, and oppression …. And when that happens, according to Zeph 3 14-17, even God will sing.