V. 10. "Seal not the sayings of the prophecy of this book." These words were not to be left in obscurity, but to be read, and made known to the churches of John's day, "for the time is at hand," These were things that vitally concerned them, then and there, they were written for their encouragment, to gird them in the conflict. They were not therefore to be sealed up but immediately circulated and proclaimed. The careful reader will observe that these expressions have very definite reference to the purpose of this book, and therefore to its contents and interpretation. He who weighs them duly will be little inclined to assign the bulk of this book to a Tribulation, thousands of years distant from the writer and the persons addressed.