I would like to interpret the harlot fantasy from the perspective of colonial women, breaking away from the limitations of interpreting it from the perspective of masculinity. Revelation 17:16 refers in detail to the process of the death of a maid be ...
I would like to interpret the harlot fantasy from the perspective of colonial women, breaking away from the limitations of interpreting it from the perspective of masculinity. Revelation 17:16 refers in detail to the process of the death of a maid because it reflects the reality and resistance of colonial women at the time. The harlot fantasy shows how the Roman Empire perceived women's bodies and sex at the time, and at the same time helps to find out how to biblically diagnose the problem of misogyny and sexual violence.
First, we can look at the sexual ethics of the Roman Empire at the time through the vision of a harlot. The clothes and complementary colors in this book reflect the rich reality of the Roman Empire at the time. Especially in Revelation 17:16, the scene where they hate prostitutes, take off her clothes, eat their flesh, and burn her with fire is an uncomfortable text from the woman's point of view. The fact that a beast conspired with a prostitute became the perpetrator and brutally assaults the prostitute exposes the sexual ethics of Roman society at the time. Also, along with Revelation 18:13, it can be inferred that the 1st century Roman Empire exploited women taken into captivity as sex slaves. Colonial women brought into captivity were not only not guaranteed their human rights, but were also exposed to sexual violence.
Second, we can ask two questions. Why does Revelation 17 detail the process of death of a prostitute who profited from the sexual exploitation of colonial women in a brothel? If colonial women saw this harlot fantasy, what interpretation would be possible? The Revelation is not a book that defends the Roman Empire on the side of the strong. Rather, it should be viewed as a theology of resistance that resists on the side of the socially weak and accuses them of injustice. For example, in Revelation 6, the appeal of the martyrs plays an important role in judging those who are strong. For colonial women, the weakest class in the Roman Empire, the judgment of the whore is a reflection of their resistance and appeal.
The harlot was the one who persecuted not only the saints at the time but also the people of the nations (Rev 17:15). Among the people of these nations are the women of the colonies. The mention of a harlot as ‘the mother of the harlots of the earth’ (Revelation 17:5) suggests that along with the beast she played a role in the sexual exploitation of colonial women. But how are we to understand the harlot’s judgment? From the point of view of colonial women's resistance, the judgment of the whore seems justified. The reason is that it is a judgment against the exploitation and violence of colonial women. In this respect, the vision of the harlot's judgment is reflected in the colonial women's resistance to oppression.
Third, the judgment of the harlot in Revelation 17 is closely connected with the judgment of Babylon in Chapter 18. Revelation 18:7 declares that Babylon should repay her with pain and mourning as much as she has luxurious and glorified herself. From the perspective of colonial women, it can be seen as reflecting the resistance and appeal of women suffering under the Roman colony at the time. In the end, it declares that the judgment of God is bound to work in a society where women's sex is commercialized and sexual ethics has collapsed.
In Korean society, as the Nth Room incident became an issue a few years ago, men who hated and enjoyed sexually assaulting women online emerged as a big problem. The phenomenon of making, consuming, and trading videos of women's sexual exploitation online shows how our society perceives women's sexuality. In particular, the crime of men who committed victims was possible because of the social perception that the woman was socially stigmatized when the video was leaked. This social atmosphere is also the main reason for the Nth room participants to commit crimes without feeling guilty. A distorted and masculine view of women's bodies and sexuality makes women subordinate and forms the ground for the history of sexual violence in the Roman Empire. The reality of modern society that exploits women's sexuality creates another colonialist reality. To this end, Korean society and religious circles should actively conduct biblical diagnosis and education on sexual ethics, and strengthen legal punishment for sexual crimes.