Revelation 22:10Meaning & Commentary from the Church Fathers

Until this point he has transmitted the words of the angel. Now he speaks in the person of the Master Christ: "Do not seal the words of the prophecy." This book is worthy to be read by the faithful, because it directs its readers to the true life. It does so by indicating the punishments prepared for sinners and the rest promised to the saints.

The angel says that the time of recompense and of the end of the world is near. Addressing John with heavenly words, he indicates that the commands and sayings must not remain unspoken. He commands that they be written down as a reminder for all.

Thus the divine Scriptures are sealed for all the proud and for those who love the world more than God. But for the humble and those who fear God, they are opened.

“And he said to me: Do not seal the words of these things.” In other words, do not keep them to yourself and do not guard them under lock in the storehouse of the mind. Set them forth to all.

For, as is said afterward, “the time is near.” He means something like this: the time of their fulfillment is not as far away as it once was, yet even now it is not necessary that they hear them.

Yet their summons must not prove needless. Strictly speaking, what need is there to exhort those who until now are trying to discern good or evil? It is already untimely to instruct by word those who learn from deeds.

But why is it said to be near? Because this does not happen in the distant future, nor is it already happening now.

Since the future Judgment is drawing near, the Lord's commandments, judgments, and promises must be made known to all. By fulfilling them, the humble will receive the reward, while the perverse, by neglecting them, will bring punishment upon themselves.

The judgment of God is near for all, according to the word of Christ, who said, "Watch, pray, for you do not know when the time will come... And what I say to you I say to all: Watch" (Mk 13:33, 37).