Jesus Christ, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah

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Introduction

Text
Revelation 5:5 NKJV
But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Revelation 5:9–10 NKJV
And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
The Vision of the Seven-Sealed Book
John saw the vision of heaven in
in , the vision focused on a unique scenario
he saw God on the throne holding a scroll with seven seals in His right hand
he heard one angel who is worthy to take the scroll, break its seals and look into its content
no one was found worthy, and John found himself weeping
one of the Elders spoke: Someone has prevailed - the Lion of the tribe of Judah
John looked and saw a Lamb as though it had been slain
as soon as the Lamb takes the scroll from the hand of God, all the host of heaven fell down before the Lamb, singing a new song of redemption
What John saw was a vision of the Redemptive Work of Christ in Heaven, one in which Christ is identified under a new title -
His title - the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
His work - redemption
The Book of Redemption
in the hand of God
Questions to Answer
Why was Jesus identified as the Lion of Judah?
What’s the connection of the lion image in redemption?
How is this redemption work fulfilled in the last days?

Main Points

Judah, the Lion Image and the Christ

The prophecy concerning Judah

Genesis 49:8–10 NKJV
“Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father’s children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.
Genesis 49.8-10
Judah’s future role was described
he will be celebrated by his brothers
he will have power over his enemies
his brethren will bow down before him
Judah’s character was described
He was a lion’s whelp - a cub, a young and growing lion
He was a sleeping, resting lion -
Judah’s destiny was described
the scepter shall not depart from Judah - Judah was destined to be the tribe from whom the rulers of Israel will come out
a long staff used to represent authority
a shorter staff used as battle mace to symbolize military power
“rod of iron” - ;
until Shiloh comes
Shiloh - the one whose it is (to whom it belongs)
NLT - until the coming of the one to whom it belongs
HCSB - until he whose right it is comes
RSV - until he comes to whom it belongs
Douay-Rheims - till he come that is to be sent
NIV - until he to whom it belongs shall come
Judah will produce the rulers of Israel nation until the Messiah comes
Jesus was the last King of Israel, of the tribe of Judah
the scepter rightly belongs to the Messiah.
When the Messiah rules, all nations will follow Him

Shiloh is the Lion of the tribe of Judah

Shiloh will be the last “lawgiver” out of Judah
Jesus was the last King from Judah
The scepter rightly belongs to Shiloh
the scepter of righteousness
Hebrews 1:8 NKJV
But to the Son He says: Your throne, O God, is forever and ever; A scepter of righteousness is the scepter of Your kingdom.
Revelation 12:5 NKJV
She bore a male Child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron. And her Child was caught up to God and His throne.
Hebrews 1.8
Revelation 19:15 NKJV
Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
Revelation 12.5
Shiloh - the Lion of the tribe of Judah - will rule over all nations, peoples, tongues

The Lion Image and Redemption

What is the connection between the Lion of the tribe of Judah and God’s redemption plan?

Judah manifested the lion character

Judah bore the responsibility of saving the family from famine
Genesis 43:8–11 NKJV
Then Judah said to Israel his father, “Send the lad with me, and we will arise and go, that we may live and not die, both we and you and also our little ones. I myself will be surety for him; from my hand you shall require him. If I do not bring him back to you and set him before you, then let me bear the blame forever. For if we had not lingered, surely by now we would have returned this second time.” And their father Israel said to them, “If it must be so, then do this: Take some of the best fruits of the land in your vessels and carry down a present for the man—a little balm and a little honey, spices and myrrh, pistachio nuts and almonds.
Genesis 43.8-10
Judah gave his own life as guarantee that he will bring back Benjamin alive, and save the family from famine.
In contrast, Reuben the eldest, offered the life of his two sons!
Judah offers his own life in exchange for Benjamin
Read -
Genesis 44:33–34 NKJV
Now therefore, please let your servant remain instead of the lad as a slave to my lord, and let the lad go up with his brothers. For how shall I go up to my father if the lad is not with me, lest perhaps I see the evil that would come upon my father?”
Genesis 44.
Judah was willing to remain in Egypt just so he will not add to is father’s sorrow.
Judah’s “selfless courage” saved the family from death!

Jesus manifested the lion character

He came to do the will of the Father
Hebrews 10.7
Hebrews 10:7 NKJV
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”
He boldly faced His own death
Matthew 17:22–23 NKJV
Now while they were staying in Galilee, Jesus said to them, “The Son of Man is about to be betrayed into the hands of men, and they will kill Him, and the third day He will be raised up.” And they were exceedingly sorrowful.
Matthew 26:38–39 NKJV
Then He said to them, “My soul is exceedingly sorrowful, even to death. Stay here and watch with Me.” He went a little farther and fell on His face, and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if it is possible, let this cup pass from Me; nevertheless, not as I will, but as You will.”
Matthew 26.38
Matthew 26:42 NKJV
Again, a second time, He went away and prayed, saying, “O My Father, if this cup cannot pass away from Me unless I drink it, Your will be done.”
Matthew 26.42
Christ’s “selfless sacrifice” became the ransom price of our salvation!

The Kinsman Redeemer

Note: 3 Things needed for redemption
1. the redeemer must be a close relative
2. the redeemer must be willing to do the part
3. the redeemer must be capable to redeeming
Judah was his brothers’ “redeemer”
he was a kinsman
he was willing to act as redeemer
he offered his life as redemption price
Jesus was our Redeemer
He was a kinsman - he took the form of sinful man
Philippians 2:7–8 NKJV
but made Himself of no reputation, taking the form of a bondservant, and coming in the likeness of men. And being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself and became obedient to the point of death, even the death of the cross.
He was willing to act as our Redeemer
Hebrews 10.7
Hebrews 10:7 NKJV
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”
He offered His own precious blood as redemption price
1 Peter 1:18–19 NKJV
knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things, like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers, but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.

Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah

He was the One who has the right to scepter.
Isaiah 9:6 NKJV
For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given; And the government will be upon His shoulder. And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Micah 5:2 NKJV
“But you, Bethlehem Ephrathah, Though you are little among the thousands of Judah, Yet out of you shall come forth to Me The One to be Ruler in Israel, Whose goings forth are from of old, From everlasting.”
He was the One “written in the volume of the scroll”
Hebrews 10:7 NKJV
Then I said, ‘Behold, I have come— In the volume of the book it is written of Me— To do Your will, O God.’ ”
Hebrews
Psalm 40:7 NKJV
Then I said, “Behold, I come; In the scroll of the book it is written of me.
Psalm 40.7-
scroll of the book
volume of the book - kephalis biblion, a little section of the scroll
Jesus was destined, written in the 7-sealed book, to be the Redeemer!
He had the sinless blood - the ransom price required for the remission of sins!
He paid the price as a sacrificial Lamb of God
Revelation 5:6 NKJV
And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
as though it had been slain - bloodied, as if coming from the slaughterhouse - and yet alive!
seven horns - complete power and authority
seven eyes - fullness of wisdom

The Lion Image and the Mighty Angel

Revelation 10:1–3 NKJV
I saw still another mighty angel coming down from heaven, clothed with a cloud. And a rainbow was on his head, his face was like the sun, and his feet like pillars of fire. He had a little book open in his hand. And he set his right foot on the sea and his left foot on the land, and cried with a loud voice, as when a lion roars. When he cried out, seven thunders uttered their voices.

The Mighty Angel is Christ

He is coming down clothed with a cloud
He is clothed with a cloud
He had a rainbow on His head
His face shone like the sun
His feet as pillars of fire

The Mighty Angel is the Lion of the tribe of Judah

He had a little open book in his hand
little - compared to the size of the angel
He set his feet on the sea and land
sea - nations
land - Israel
The Lion of the tribe of Judah is coming to claim His Redeemed people - Jews and Gentiles
His loud cry was lion a lion!

Conclusion

Jesus is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah
in His first coming
He offered His own life as a sacrificial Lamb
His Lamb work “loosed the seals” and paid the redemption for God’s wife, servants, and possessions!
In His second coming
He is coming to claim His Redeemed!
His Wife - the Bride
His servants - Israel
His possession - the earth
He is coming as a mighty angel
the Messenger of the Covenant
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