Bible

Revelations is a biblical text found in the new testament of the bible that is written to John. This part of the bible focuses primarily on apocalyptic ideas. Revelations can also be compared to the Carter text that discusses the Roman Empire and the New Testament because they both share similar dark, apocalyptic ideas. The Carter text presents five different stances and one significantly stands out beyond the others when comparing it to Revelations. The stance that stands out it is that “The Empire is of the Devil”.

In Revelations the text describes a beast and dragon in numerous chapters. Chapter 13 in Revelation begins with the mention of a dragon on a throne that welcomes a beast from the sea. The beast has powerful characteristics, which helps him eventually gain rule over the people. These characteristics included the beast having seven heads, ten horns, ten crowns, paws of a bear, and mouth like a lion. The people see these characteristics and assume that no human could be this powerful so it has to be some kind of supreme power which ultimately leads to the people worshipping him and giving him rule.

After evaluating the texts we conclude that the Devil is symbolism for the dragon and the beast is symbolism for the Roman Empire. In Chapter 13 verse 6 the author states, “It opened its mouth to utter blasphemies against God, blaspheming his name and his dwelling, that is, those who dwell in heaven” (Revelations 13:6) this shows that the beast is clearly speaking against the word of the God which is what the Carter text is arguing.

Carter’s text provides evidence that the Romans opposed God. First, in Revelations the dragon “gives his power and authority” to the beast. The Carter text explains that all people are the “slaves of the beast and the dragon” which represents the devil giving handing over authority to the Roman Empire (Carter 18). The Carter text states that, “Rome’s political-economic-religious system to represent the devil’s rule”...