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OPTOMAI

The Greek word Optomai rendered, shall see, in Rev. 1:7.—”Every eye shall see him,” and rendered, shall appear, in Heb. 9:28 “To them that look for Him shall he appear a second time,” does not always mean to see with the eye. It rather signifies attend and recognize. Illustrations of its meaning attend: The priests and elders answered Judas; “See (Optomai—attend) thou to that.” Matt. 27:4. Again, Pilate said, “I am innocent of the blood of this just person; see (optomai—attend) ye to it.” Vs. 24. Also the word look in Acts 18:15.

The general signification of the word however, is recognize, as may be seen in the following illustrations viz:

“There appeared (optomai) to him (Moses) … an angel of the Lord in a flame of fire in a bush,” and “he drew near to behold it.” (Acts 7:30.) Moses did not see an angel but a flame, but receiving a command of the Lord from out the

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flame, he (optomai) recognized it as the angel. Again, “The God of glory appeared (optomai) unto our father Abraham.” Acts 7:2. From the fact that we are told that, “No man hath seen God at any time,” we presume this scripture to mean, that God gave Abraham instruction in such a manner that he recognized his instruction as of the God of Glory.

Again, Jesus said to Mary concerning Lazarus’ resurrection, “Said I not that thou shouldst see (optomai) the glory of God? Jno. 11:40. Mary’s eyes saw no glory but she did see Lazarus raised, and in the power thus displayed she recognized the glory of God.

Again “All flesh shall see (optomai—recognize) the salvation of God.” Luke 3:6. In the light of these illustrations of the use of the word we can realize that there may be but little seeing of The Christ on the part of the world with the eye. See how similar is the last illustration with the first text quoted—”every eye” and “all flesh” shall recognize Him as the salvation of God.

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— September, 1880 —