[Ch. 1] Section I: Introduction – Why We Must Begin Here

Every map is shaped by assumptions. If the compass is off—even slightly—you end up far from where you intended to go. That’s what’s happened with how most of us read Revelation.We inherited a system. A framework. A way of mapping time, prophecy, and God’s future plans. And like all systems, it helps us make sense of the world. That’s not the problem. The problem is that it no longer fits the terrain—and in some places, it leads us directly into confusion.But letting go of a system is not easy. These frameworks shape not just what we think, but how we think. They form our instincts, our identity, even our sense of safety. To question them feels like questioning the scaffolding of faith itself.That’s why I want to proceed with care.What follows is not an attack. It’s a renovation—but not cosmetic. Structural. Foundational. The kind of work that’s disruptive in the short term, but life-saving in the end.So before we talk about dragons, beasts, or the mark, we need to do something harder.We need to clear the debris.Because most of what the modern Church believes about Revelation is not drawn directly from the text itself. It comes through systems—frameworks built over time to make sense of it. Some of those systems see something real. But none of them see the whole.In other words, the problem isn’t the text—it’s the filter.If we want to see clearly, we have to name the filter. Examine it. Then lay it down.So before we move forward, we need to ask a harder question:What exactly have we been using to read this book? This is a public episode. If you would like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit echoesofbabylon.substack.com