Reading the book of revelation through the lens of dystopia

Abstract

Christianity is one of the most influential religions in the world and there are numerous sacred texts that are closely associated with it, particularly the Holy Bible. The Book of Revelation, which is a significant part of the bible, is well regarded as one of the essential texts in Christianity that has been studied extensively from theological and historical standpoints over the years. The book is attributed to Apostle John and contains discussions related to the apocalypse and a new beginning. Meanwhile, dystopia is a literary concept that focusses on harrowing societies with a bleak and depressing atmosphere. Served as the direct oppositional term for Utopia, dystopian themes revolve closely around the notions of oppression, destruction, and pandemonium. This study aims to investigate the relationship between the two by examining various dystopian themes and motives including environmental destruction, corruption of moral values, and governmental control. Besides, this study also probes into the dualistic nature of God and his angels through their portrayal of the necessary evil in order to warn people of the danger of a possible dystopian reality. By examining the text through the lens of Dystopia, it intensifies the impact of the warnings, compelling people to pay attention to the possibility of a bleak dystopian future filled with pain and suffering. This perpetuates the relevance of the book of Revelation with modern readers, as dystopia is a concept closely studied at present. Finally, this study also expands the discourse related to dystopia and the book of Revelation by highlighting that the former can be read as a text of secular social commentary rather than merely a religious text referred to for spiritual guidance and prophecies.