Should humans rule creation?
As hurricanes, droughts, and forest fires increase around the world, it can sometimes feel like we’re living in the end times. With temperatures on the rise and mounting concerns about mass extinctions, decreasing fresh water supply, and rising ocean levels, young people especially are beginning to wonder what their future world will look like. Will we be able to continue living in the same way that we do now? And if not, what should our future way of life look like?
Apocalyptic imagery has been part of Christianity since its inception. But what does the idea of an apocalypse mean for our relationship with the Earth-- especially as we begin to face the impact of climate change? The concept of the end times-- a vision of what’s to come-- can help us to think about what we should be doing now. Where are we headed? Is there hope? And what’s our role in bringing about what’s to come?
Some Christians believe that the prospect of the end times means that we’re called to step up and take charge of the rest of the Earth. Many believe that God gave humans dominion over the rest of creation and that we are called to steward and use nature for our benefit. That dominion means that we’re called to “be fruitful and multiply” as Genesis instructs. Humanity should expand its dominance over the Earth by having many children and building an economy to support its growing population. This vision for the future emphasizes humanity’s special relationship with God and sees hope in our ability to conquer the rest of the creation and use it for our benefit. These Christians frequently attribute the negative state of the world to the growth of “sinful” lifestyles that defy their understanding of traditional sex, marriage, and family.
Others Christians, however, believe that the end times signal that we are an equal part of God’s creation and are called to coexist with nature, rather than conquer or control it. These Christians believe that we are called to be in solidarity with nature by taking steps to reduce our environmental footprint. That includes reducing consumption, waste, and, in certain cases, economic growth. Some of these Christians believe that we are not called to grow the population by having more children and are instead called to conserve our resources by having fewer children. This vision for the future emphasizes humanity’s relationship with God as equal to the rest of creation. These Christians frequently attribute the negative state of the world to the growth of consumer capitalism, which exploits the environment in the name of personal and corporate greed.
Should humans rule the Earth?
It depends on what you think the “end times” mean for our relationship with the rest of creation.
How Christians across the political spectrum have answered this question
“Yes, humans have a special place in creation and should rule it faithfully”
Revelation reveals that humans were created to have dominion over God’s creation. We are called to be fruitful and multiply.
Revelation is about the downfall of sinful societies. It calls us to deconstruct and condemn sinful lifestyles.
“New Jerusalem” will be a society that has successfully conquered Earth and stewards it well.
“No, humans are equal to the rest of creation and should live in solidarity with it”
Revelation reveals that humans were created to be equal to the rest of God’s creation. We are called to coexist with nature, not dominate it.
Revelation is about the downfall of human power. It calls us to deconstruct and condemn lifestyles that dominate or exploit creation.
“New Jerusalem” will be a society that coexists with the rest of creation as equals, in solidarity with it.
The Book of Revelation
The Book of Revelation, with its vivid imagery, damning prophesies and perplexing visions, is unlike any other book in the Bible. Written at the height of the Roman Empire, when Christians were facing persecution for openly worshiping Jesus, it was likely intended to be an allegory for the prophesied fall of Rome. The idea that the powerful Roman government would soon see punishment for its violence against Jesus’ followers would have been a hopeful one for Christians at the time.
But over the centuries, Christians have interpreted Revelation’s bold prophesies in a variety of ways. Many Christians focus on the book’s forceful condemnation of sin and its depictions of Christ’s return and final judgment. Some Christians believe that Christ has already returned and that it is our job to build Christ’s kingdom here on Earth by taking dominion over the rest of God’s creation. (Dominion means that we are called to rule the rest of creation and use it for our benefit.) These Christians focus on Revelation 20’s account of the thousand year reign of Christ and Revelation 17’s account of the “seven mountains,” which supposedly symbolize the seven spheres of cultural influence that Christians are called to overtake.
Other Christians, however, see Revelation as a prophetic text about the downfall of human empires. They focus on Revelation 18’s account of the Fall of Babylon— a metaphor for the prophesied fall of Rome— and on the natural imagery of a new heaven and earth, river of life, and creatures worshipping together with humans. Their interpretation of Revelation is that, in the end, all of creation is equal under God, meaning that we are called to coexist with nature and respect it rather than dominate it.
As you read selections from this unique book, consider what the prospect of the end of things means for our relationship with the rest of God’s creation.
Read the New Testament passages
How these passages build on the Old Testament
Revelation makes a number of references to the Hebrew Bible. The author, John of Patmos, wanted to get across to readers the historical significance of Christians’ persecution under the Roman Empire. By making repeated references to the Israelites’ oppression under Babylonian rule, John illustrated for early Christians that their current situation was the latest chapter in God’s history with Israel. Placing Christians within that history allowed for John to deliver a hopeful message: God has always delivered God’s people from exile and will do so again.
John uses language and imagery that prophets during the Babylonian exile used:
He takes the vision of the four living creatures in Revelation 4 (lion, ox, man, and eagle) from Ezekiel.
The Beast in Revelation 17 mirrors the one Daniel described.
Revelation 18’s prophecy of the fall of Babylon is reminiscent of similar prophecies made by Jeremiah and Isaiah.
The thousand year reign of Christ in Revelation 20 is similar to the final judgment that Daniel and Isaiah predicted.
The New Heaven & Earth and New Jerusalem in Revelation 21 take language from Ezekiel and Isaiah. These references are significant because the original Hebrew Bible prophecies emphasize the future building of the temple— God’s dwelling place— whereas the passage in Revelation says that there will be no temple because God’s dwelling place is now with the people wherever they are.
But outside of these references to the Babylonian exile, Revelation picks up on imagery and themes from Genesis. The tree and river of life in Revelation 22 are both part of the creation story, and the idea of a new Earth recalls the creation of Earth at the beginning of the Bible. Christians who believe that Revelation is a book about dominion frequently reference verses from Genesis that say that humans are made in God’s image, have dominion over the rest of creation, and should “be fruitful and multiply.” As you read these passages, consider how they inform our understanding of Revelation and of humanity’s relationship with the rest of creation.
Read the Old Testament passages
Now that you’ve read the scripture…
Reflect
What are you thinking and feeling right now?
Request
Ask God to open your heart and your mind to a different perspective. Challenge yourself to see another point of view— even if you don’t agree with it.
Respond
Thank God for working through scripture and through the people around you. If you’re about to discuss this section with other people, pray for them and for your time together.
Questions for reflection & discussion
Do you believe that humans have a special place in God’s creation? Why or why not? What do you think our role is? How does the idea of the “end times” impact your thinking?
Some Christians have interpreted the four creatures described in Revelation 4 to represent different aspects of Christianity or the Christian experience. What do you think these creatures could represent? What might this passage tell us about our relationship with the rest of creation?
Revelation is a unique book in the Bible that uses a lot of fantastic imagery. Why might the author use imagery in this way? What effect does the imagery have on you as a reader?
Many people think that the “fall of Babylon” in Revelation is actually a passage about the fall of the Roman Empire. How does your understanding of Revelation change if you think about it as a metaphor for the fall of the Roman Empire rather than as a literal prophecy about the end times? Why did “Babylon” fall and what lessons can we learn from that?
What do you think it means to see a “New Earth” and “New Jerusalem”? What do you think is passing away and what do you think is being made new in this passage? Does that idea make you feel hopeful or pessimistic?
Some people see Revelation as a book about the downfall of powerful empires. Others see it as a book about the consequences of sin. What do you think it’s about? What are the implications of your interpretation for how we should relate to the rest of God’s creation?
How do Revelation’s frequent allusions to Hebrew Bible prophecies and the Babylonian exile shape your interpretation of it? What do you think John of Patmos intended for Christians to take away from this book?
Do you think that humans are called to dominate the earth, take care of it, or live humbly with it? What does that look like to you?
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