Revelation 16

“And I heard a great voice out of the temple saying to the seven angels, Go your ways, and pour out the vials of the…” The number seven makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And the first went, and poured out his vial upon the earth; and there fell a noisome and grievous sore upon the men…” The line’s distinctive content terms include beast, earth, fell. Its relationship to verses 1 and 3 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the second angel poured out his vial upon the sea; and it became as the blood of a dead man: and every living soul…” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, became, blood. Its relationship to verses 2 and 4 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the third angel poured out his vial upon the rivers and fountains of waters; and they became blood.” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, became, blood. Its relationship to verses 3 and 5 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And I heard the angel of the waters say, Thou art righteous, O Lord, which art, and wast, and shalt be, because thou…” Naming Thou keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“For they have shed the blood of saints and prophets, and thou hast given them blood to drink; for they are worthy.” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“And I heard another out of the altar say, Even so, Lord God Almighty, true and righteous are thy judgments.” Naming Almighty and Even keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the fourth angel poured out his vial upon the sun; and power was given unto him to scorch men with fire.” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, fire, fourth. Its relationship to verses 9 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And men were scorched with great heat, and blasphemed the name of God, which hath power over these plagues: and they…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And the fifth angel poured out his vial upon the seat of the beast; and his kingdom was full of darkness; and they…” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, beast, darkness. Its relationship to verses 9 and 11 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And blasphemed the God of heaven because of their pains and their sores, and repented not of their deeds.” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.

“And the sixth angel poured out his vial upon the great river Euphrates; and the water thereof was dried up, that the…” Naming Euphrates keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And I saw three unclean spirits like frogs come out of the mouth of the dragon, and out of the mouth of the beast, and…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole…” This line supplies a reason, result, or conclusion. It should stay attached to the claim or action that gives it meaning.

“Behold, I come as a thief. Blessed is he that watcheth, and keepeth his garments, lest he walk naked, and they see his…” Naming Blessed keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.” Naming Armageddon and Hebrew keeps the account rooted in particular people or places. Follow where the name returns and what changes around it.

“And the seventh angel poured out his vial into the air; and there came a great voice out of the temple of heaven, from…” The line’s distinctive content terms include angel, heaven, poured. Its relationship to verses 16 and 18 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there were voices, and thunders, and lightnings; and there was a great earthquake, such as was not since men were…” The line’s distinctive content terms include earthquake, earth, lightnings. Its relationship to verses 17 and 19 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And the great city was divided into three parts, and the cities of the nations fell: and great Babylon came in…” The number three makes the report concrete. Ask whether it measures time, people, distance, repetition, or completeness before deciding what weight it carries.

“And every island fled away, and the mountains were not found.” The line’s distinctive content terms include fled, island, mountains. Its relationship to verses 19 and 21 shows what work it does in this passage.

“And there fell upon men a great hail out of heaven, every stone about the weight of a talent: and men blasphemed God…” The verse names God rather than leaving the action without a source. Watch whether the next line continues, answers, or contrasts that action.