Devine Scripture

Revelation 22:10

What does Revelation 22:10 mean?

A plain-English look at Revelation 22:10 in WEB alongside six other public-domain English translations, with cross-references and chapter context.

What Revelation 22:10 means

Unlike earlier prophecies kept sealed for a later day, this book must not be sealed, “for the time is at hand.” Revelation is meant to be read, heard, and kept now. The nearness of fulfillment does not always mean immediate chronology but covenantal readiness—God’s decisive acts are pressing upon the church’s present. Hiding or delaying the message would contradict its purpose. This open-book command rebukes both neglect and elitism: the churches are to live by this vision in their real troubles. The horizon of history has come near in Christ’s first coming and will be consummated at His return, so the church must walk in alertness and hope.

Parallel translations

WEB

World English Bible · 2000

And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.

KJV

King James Version · 1611

And he saith unto me, Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book: for the time is at hand.

ASV

American Standard Version · 1901

And he saith unto me, Seal not up the words of the prophecy of this book; for the time is at hand.

BBE

Bible in Basic English · 1949

And he said to me, Let not the words of this prophet's book be kept secret, because the time is near.

YLT

Young's Literal Translation · 1862

And he saith to me, `Thou mayest not seal the words of the prophecy of this scroll, because the time is nigh;

DRA

Douay-Rheims (Challoner) · 1752

And he saith to me: Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book. For the time is at hand.

DBY

Darby Bible · 1890

And he says to me, Seal not the words of the prophecy of this book. The time is near.

Context

After worship is set right, the angel turns to the handling of the book itself. The instruction to keep it unsealed stresses accessibility and urgency for the churches. The next verse will speak of moral trajectories being solidified, warning hearers that the time calls either for continued holiness or confirmed wickedness. This creates a sober context for Jesus’ coming with reward in verse 12.

v.9And he saith unto me, See thou do it not: I am a fellow-servant with thee and with thy brethren the prophets, and with them that keep the words of this book: worship God.

v.10This passage

v.11He that is unrighteous, let him do unrighteousness still: and he that is filthy, let him be made filthy still: and he that is righteous, let him do righteousness still: and he that is holy, let him be made holy still.

Cross references

Related passages from across Scripture, drawn from the Treasury of Scripture Knowledge.

  • Revelation 10:4

    And when the seven thunders uttered their voices, I was about to write: and I heard a voice from heaven saying, Seal up the things which the seven thunders uttered, and write them not.

  • Revelation 1:3

    Blessed is he that readeth, and they that hear the words of the prophecy, and keep the things that are written therein: for the time is at hand.

  • Matthew 10:27

    What I tell you in the darkness, speak ye in the light; and what ye hear in the ear, proclaim upon the house-tops.

  • Daniel 12:4

    But thou, O Daniel, shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: many shall run to and fro, and knowledge shall be increased.

  • Romans 13:12

    The night is far spent, and the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armor of light.

  • Isaiah 13:6

    Wail ye; for the day of Jehovah is at hand; as destruction from the Almighty shall it come.

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