Revelation 11

“And there was given me a reed like unto a rod: and the angel stood, saying, Rise, and measure the temple of God, and…” Naming Rise keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“But the court which is without the temple leave out, and measure it not; for it is given unto the Gentiles: and the…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And I will give power unto my two witnesses, and they shall prophesy a thousand two hundred and threescore days…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“These are the two olive trees, and the two candlesticks standing before the God of the earth.” The number two makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And if any man will hurt them, fire proceedeth out of their mouth, and devoureth their enemies: and if any man will…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“These have power to shut heaven, that it rain not in the days of their prophecy: and have power over waters to turn…” The line’s distinctive content terms include power, blood, days. Its relationship to verses 5 and 7 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And when they shall have finished their testimony, the beast that ascendeth out of the bottomless pit shall make war…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And their dead bodies shall lie in the street of the great city, which spiritually is called Sodom and Egypt, where…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they of the people and kindreds and tongues and nations shall see their dead bodies three days and an half, and…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And they that dwell upon the earth shall rejoice over them, and make merry, and shall send gifts one to another…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And after three days and an half the Spirit of life from God entered into them, and they stood upon their feet; and…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And they heard a great voice from heaven saying unto them, Come up hither. And they ascended up to heaven in a cloud…” Naming Come keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the same hour was there a great earthquake, and the tenth part of the city fell, and in the earthquake were slain…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“The second woe is past; and, behold, the third woe cometh quickly.” The line’s distinctive content terms include cometh, past, quickly. Its relationship to verses 13 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the seventh angel sounded; and there were great voices in heaven, saying, The kingdoms of this world are become…” The command cannot be understood from the verb alone. Its recipient, purpose, and place in the larger covenant or argument define the responsibility.

“And the four and twenty elders, which sat before God on their seats, fell upon their faces, and worshipped God,” The number four makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“Saying, We give thee thanks, O Lord God Almighty, which art, and wast, and art to come; because thou hast taken to…” Naming Almighty keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the nations were angry, and thy wrath is come, and the time of the dead, that they should be judged, and that thou…” The line’s distinctive content terms include destroy, shouldest, angry. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the temple of God was opened in heaven, and there was seen in his temple the ark of his testament: and there were…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.