I think it was both. he meant it as a reference to what just happened, but it also describes what would happen again. Like when in It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia someone says "I won't do X" and then the title card says "The gang does X". I also think Noah's and Cherryls powers are somehow connected, or similar.
My theory: He had to keep everything about him secret, or the Smile Corporation does something to his daughter, or doesn't give her something as promised. So he rather choose death.
Personal note: poor guy. This is a really f-ed up game, and it seems an innocent person just got murdered.