The concluding words of the angel are intended to comfort the Jewish Church in the days of her persecution. They teach her that God has foreseen her affliction, that it comes from Him in His love, and that it shall last only for a short while. This promise accounts for the firmness which was exhibited by the saints of the Maccabees, which entitles their faith to a place in the same list of faithful men which contains the names of Abel, Abraham, and Moses (Hebrews 11:34-38).
Shut thou up. — The revelation is to be kept safe, because the time of fulfilment is far off, and then the comforting words will be needed. Comp. Revelation 22:10, where the opposite counsel is given, “seal it not, for the time of fulfilment is near.”