Be Careful What You See

A word study on the Greek word, blepo (blep'-o) as used in Matthew chapter 24; see, take heed.

Jesus left the temple and was going away, when his disciples came to point out to him the buildings of the temple.  But he answered them, "You see all these, do you not? Truly, I say to you, there will not be left here one stone upon another, that will not be thrown down."

As he sat on the Mount of Olives, the disciples came to him privately, saying, "Tell us, when will this be, and what will be the sign of your coming and of the close of the age?" And Jesus answered them, "Take heed that no one leads you astray.
Matthew 24:1-5  RSV

At the basic level, blepo (Strong's #991) means more than just look at something. It communicates the idea of understanding what it is that I see. Matthew 24:4, "understand what you see" so that no one can trick you or lead you astray.

Other places Matthew has used blepo: Y'shua/Jesus has used blepo to describe why people do what they do based on their understanding as well as their lack of understanding.

But I say to you that every one who looks at a woman lustfully has already committed adultery with her in his heart.
Matthew 5:28  RSV


"Thus, when you give alms, sound no trumpet before you, as the hypocrites do in the synagogues and in the streets, that they may be praised by men. Truly, I say to you, they have received their reward. But when you give alms, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, so that your alms may be in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

But when you pray, go into your room and shut the door and pray to your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.

But when you fast, anoint your head and wash your face, that your fasting may not be seen by men but by your Father who is in secret; and your Father who sees in secret will reward you.
Matthew 6:2-4, 6, 17-18   RSV

YHVH knows how his beloved creation looks at things. The natural man is strongly affected by the image of a person instead of the heart of a person. I personally believe that this is a reason we must "see with eyes of faith". YHVH's servant Samuel had to be reminded of looking at a person the way YHVH/LORD look at them.

 But the LORD said to Samuel, "Do not look on his appearance or on the height of his stature, because I have rejected him; for the LORD sees not as man sees; man looks on the outward appearance, but the LORD looks on the heart."
1 Samuel 16:7  RSV

The only thing the natural man can see is the outward appearance. YHVH alone can see the heart. Without faith it is impossible to see as YHVH sees.

Look at how Y'shua/Jesus spoke to different groups of religious people. The first group is of faith, the 2nd is simply religious.

Now when John heard in prison about the deeds of the Christ, he sent word by his disciples and said to him, "Are you he who is to come, or shall we look for another?" And Jesus answered them, "Go and tell John what you hear and see: the blind receive their sight and the lame walk, lepers are cleansed and the deaf hear, and the dead are raised up, and the poor have good news preached to them. And blessed is he who takes no offense at me."
Matthew 11:2-6  RSV

Then the disciples came and said to him, "Why do you speak to them in parables?" And he answered them, "To you it has been given to know the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but to them it has not been given. For to him who has will more be given, and he will have abundance; but from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away.  This is why I speak to them in parables, because seeing they do not see, and hearing they do not hear, nor do they understand.
Matthew 13:10-14  RSV

It takes faith in the Word of YHVH (and Y'shua is the Word of YHVH) to understand what we see in this world.

There are many frightening events taking place in Matthew chapter 24. The chapter begins with the disciples focused on the shadow of the heavenly reality, the Temple. Y'shua directs the boys to "have a good look, understand what you are seeing" An empty building, beautiful on the outside, but empty.The Spirit of YHVH left long ago. Now Y'shua has also walked away.

 Rather like King Saul and David. Saul was beautiful on the outside but full of rage, insecurity and death on the inside. David was thought to be part of a band of traitors, robbers, vag-a-bonds, but he was the chosen of YHVH. David was not chosen for "looking presidential" but for his heart. Men of faith would look at these two kings and see who YHVH had chosen. Men who looked but did not really see, blepo, would respond to Saul the way the disciples first responded to the temple, "See how beautiful, how impressive!"

To see as YHVH sees, to blepo, cannot be learned. It has to be accepted by faith.

And without faith it is impossible to please him. For whoever would draw near to God must believe that he exists and that he rewards those who seek him.
Hebrews 11:6  RSV

If you are a believer in Y'shua the Messiah (Jesus who is the Christ), ask YHVH to open your eyes to see as you read through Matthew 24 that you may "stand firm" (to take your stand on Torah) in the days to come. If you are religious, and feel somewhat afraid as you read through the things to come, perhaps you will accept the prompt of YHVH/God to believe in Y'shua, to die to yourself and let him live through you to eternal glory. In the days to come everyone will go through the events foretold in Matthew 24. Only we who believe will press forward to eternal life. Won't you take the hand of love offered to you and follow on the hard narrow path?

Open your eyes, see with your heart, where Y'shua takes the throne of life.