“See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah . . . has triumphed” (Revelation 5:5). Is Jesus the Lion of Judah???? Revelation 5:5 declares Jesus to be the Lion of Judah, to whom the Father delegated all judgment. The title “Lion” depicts Christ as the embodiment of courage, authority, and power. The Old Testament frequently employs the lion as a symbol of power and the strength to defeat one’s enemies (Job 10:16; Psalm 10:9; Ezekiel 1:10; Daniel 7:1–4 In the book of Revelation, Jesus is called the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. Our minds cannot fully comprehend or contain who Christ is. He is the Lord of Glory, the Creator of the World, the Sustainer of the Universe, the Breath of Heaven, the King of Kings and Lord of Lords. Therefore, when the book of Revelation points to the One who is worthy to rule and to restore the dominion of earth back to God. We see Jesus portrayed as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. A lion is a fearsome creature, as is Jesus. When Jesus came the first time, as a babe in Bethlehem, he came as the lamb to die sacrificially for the sins of the world. When Christ Jesus comes back again (as promised), He returns as the Lion of the Tribe of Judah. The Conquering King who will restore dominion and will rule forever. Jesus Christ and make Him bend to our will. He is God and that’s a fact. He is the King of Glory. Johns portrait depicts Christ as the Lion of Judah who has prevailed over the forces of evil. Having prevailed, Christ has become the only person in all the universe with the inherent right to open the scrolls ( Revelation 5:7). No one else is competent to do so. The Lion of the tribe of Judah has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll (Revelation 5:5). This is good news for the human race. The Lion of Judah has triumphed because He is able. This gives a ring of certainty to the outcome of the plan of salvation. In His unique role as Lion of Judah, Christ is able to champion the cause of His people, vindicate the character of God, guarantee the salvation of all who accept Him, and finally restore forever the lost dominion. The victory is won forever. But there is still more good news. Not only has Christ conclusively won the victory over sin and death, He also gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Corinthians 15:57). When John looks he does not see a lion but a lamb that has been slain. Jesus became ready to bring judgment by dying as a sacrifice for all who look to Him to escape judgment. The way has been paved for all to find grace instead of justice. No one has an excuse to say there was no way out of paying the penalty. But no one who has failed to embrace the sacrificed Lamb will be able to escape the fierce Lion of Judah. If we do not know Jesus as the Lamb slain for us, if we have not laid our sins on his head and received his forgiveness for our rebellion against God’s ownership of our life, we will know the ferocity of the Lion who crouches in readiness and who dares not be roused. Come to the Lamb and find life, not judgment The Lion of Judah, in imagery at least, is one that connotes power and majesty and royalty - for Judah was the tribe of Israel from which kings came from in the Old Testament. Yet, likewise - and one and same in Jesus - is the Lamb. Not powerful and majestic in the exact same sense or manifestation as the Lion, the slain Lamb is powerful in its obedience which saw it carry out Gods will to perfection. For this reason, the Lamb is found the only worthy one to break the seals of God and open the scroll. How incredible it is that the default expectation is a Lion-like creature would descend upon this task and complete it; yet God in his unparalleled wisdom has destined this innocent-enough figure - a slain one at that - accomplishes this momentous task. And this is entirely consistent with the Messianic visions the Jews had for the mighty military deliverer and what did they get? The Messiah was oppressed and afflicted, yet He did not open His mouth [against his oppressors, or defend Himself] (Isaiah 53:7a). The Lamb of God paradoxically has all the Lions powers - over the complete dominion of heaven and earth. But, it executes these powers with such holy humility and perfect self-effacing justice and timing. The Lamb, the Lion of Judah - the one slaughtered and the redeeming blood sacrifice for us and for all humankind, bridging the vast divide between heaven and earth - will do what is prophesied in Johns vision. Amen.
Posted on: Sat, 22 Mar 2014 11:08:30 +0000
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