Revelation 22:10

New Testament Apocalyptic ASV (1901)

What does Revelation 22:10 say?

The American Standard Version records this verse as: “And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.” Read the surrounding verses and the named sources below before drawing broader conclusions.

The verse

And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.
Revelation 22:10 — American Standard Version

Context — Revelation 22

American Standard Version (1901) — public domain. Click any verse for its study page.
10And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.

What do historical commentaries say?

John Gill's Exposition
John Gill (1697–1771) · Exposition of the Old and New Testament · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he saith unto me, etc.] Not the angel, but Christ, as is manifest from (<662212>Revelation 22:12,13,16,20). This clause is left out in the Ethiopic version. Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book; as the orders are, when things are intended not to be published, but concealed, at least as yet, because of the distance of the accomplishment of them, which was not the case here; (see <661004>Revelation 10:4 <270826>Daniel 8:26 12:4,9). Christ would have the things John saw and heard, written, and made public, sent in an open book, unsealed, to the churches, that they might be seen and read of all; that so the afflictions and persecutions of the people of God, both under Rome…”
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Jamieson, Fausset & Brown
Robert Jamieson, A. R. Fausset & David Brown · Commentary Critical and Explanatory on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“Seal not--But in Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9 (compare Dan 8:26), the command is, "Seal the book," for the vision shall be "for many days." The fulfilment of Daniel's prophecy was distant, that of John's prophecy is near. The New Testament is the time of the end and fulfilment. The Gentile Church, for which John wrote his Revelation, needs more to be impressed with the shortness of the period, as it is inclined, owing to its Gentile origin, to conform to the world and forget the coming of the Lord. The Revelation points, on the one hand, to Christ's coming as distant, for it shows the succession of the seven seals, trumpets, and vials; on the other hand, it proclaims, "Behold, I come quickly." So…”
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Barnes' Notes
Albert Barnes (1798–1870) · Notes on the Whole Bible · 19th-century historical commentary
“And he saith unto me - The angel. Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book - That is, seal not the book itself, for it may be regarded altogether as a prophetic book. On the sealing of a book, see the notes on Revelation 5:1 . Isaiah (Isaiah 8:16; Isaiah 30:8) and Daniel (Daniel 8:26; Daniel 12:4, Daniel 12:9) were commanded to seal up their prophecies. Their prophecies related to far-distant times, and the idea in their being commanded to seal them was, that they should make the record sure and unchangeable; that they should finish it, and lay it up for future ages; so that, in far-distant times, the events might be compared with the prophecy, and it might be seen that there was an…”
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Wesley's Explanatory Notes
John Wesley (1703–1791) · Explanatory Notes upon the New Testament and Old Testament notes · 18th-century historical commentary
“And he saith to me - After a little pause. Seal not the sayings of this book - Conceal them not, like the things that are sealed up. The time is nigh - Wherein they shall begin to take place. Revelation 22:11”
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Tyndale Open Study Notes
Tyndale House Publishers · Tyndale Open Study Notes · Modern study notes
“22:10 Do not seal up: The angel expands John’s initial instruction to “write in a book” (1:11) and warns against curtailing its communication. Although some things are sealed—God does not reveal everything (cp. 10:4)—what has been written must be communicated so that people will understand the seriousness of the message and that the time is near (see 1:1, 3; 22:6-7; cp. Dan 12:4).”
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Treasury of Scriptural Knowledge
R. A. Torrey and contributors · The Treasury of Scripture Knowledge · Cross-reference reference work
“he saith: Rev 22:12, Rev 22:13, Rev 22:16, Rev 22:20 Seal: Rev 5:1, Rev 10:4; Isa 8:16; Dan 8:26, Dan 12:4, Dan 12:9; Mat 10:27 for: Rev 1:3; Isa 13:6; Eze 12:23; Rom 13:12; Th2 2:3; Pe1 4:7 Revelation 22:11”
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Related study paths

Sources and verification