Shut up the words, and seal the book, even to the time of the end: by these words the angel doth not forbid all knowledge of the things here foretold, for whatsoever is written is written for our learning; but the meaning is,
1. That Daniel must take notice of the special favour of God to him to make so great discoveries of the Divine secrets.
2. That they were intrusted with him to see the force and fruit of his humiliation and fervent prayer.
3. That he should support, and lay up these things for the support of the godly in their future deep afflictions.
4. That God would never utterly forsake his people, though their sins justly provoked his heavy hand upon them.
5. That these things be kept from the profane, who would make an evil use of them.
6. The book was commanded to be sealed, because it would be long ere the words would be all fulfilled, whereas those that were shortly to be fulfilled were forbidden to be sealed: see 2 Chronicles 21:12 Isaiah 8:16 Revelation 22:10. Many shall run to and fro; they shall diligently inquire and search these prophecies concerning the fates of the church, and shall see and admire both the prescience and providence of God concerning things to come; they shall know signs of the times, and wait upon God in the way of his judgments: see Psalms 77:5-7 Isaiah 26:8 1 Peter 1:10-12. The miserable Jews pervert this scripture, and forbid the people by dire threatenings to calculate times, namely, lest they find thereby that Jesus Christ is the true Messiah. Thus are they wilfully and judicially blinded, Acts 28:26 Romans 11:8. And knowledge shall be increased; he means chiefly in gospel times, which came by the preaching of Christ and searching the Scriptures about it.