Text: Revelation 5:1-5

Jesus: The Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Text: Revelation 5:1-5

THE LION KING

Revelation 5:1–10 (NASB 2020) I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed up with seven seals. 2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to break its seals?” 3 And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or to look into it. 4 Then I began to weep greatly because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or to look into it. 5 And one of the elders said to me, “Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to be able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” 6 And I saw between the throne (with the four living creatures) and the elders a Lamb standing, as if slaughtered, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. 7 And He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. 8 When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each one holding a harp and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. 9 And they sang a new song, saying, “Worthy are You to take the scroll and to break its seals; for You were slaughtered, and You purchased people for God with Your blood from every tribe, language, people, and nation. 10 You have made them into a kingdom and priests to our God, and they will reign upon the earth.”

As we watch the actions taking place, realize there should be no chapter break between Revelation Chapters 4 and 5.

This is the Throne-room of God.

All the praise and glory of chapter 4 carries into chapter 5.

What we see is John’s attention being drawn to another aspect of a completely overwhelming scene.

What we see highlighted in chapter 5 is a book.

A very special book.

We know that because it is in the Father’s right hand.

It seems to be extended — now is the time!

It is the book that contains all of Father God’s plans for the final disposition of the earth and everyone in it.

John sees a sealed book closely connected with the destiny of the human race and the Earth.

For all intents and purposes it is the title deed to the Earth.

This title was given by God to Adam who lost it through sin to Satan.

Satan has had his way since the time of Adam till the appearing of Christ.

John weeps because as long as the deed is sealed, Satan will continue to have his own way.

Who could possibly open such a book.

It has to be Someone who can carry out the instructions.

Someone with the mind of God and the authority of God.

There is no one alive, no one who has ever lived — and there have been some tremendous women and men who have lived on this planet — no person is worthy to open the book.

There is no leader - royal or elected, no statesperson, no business leader, no scholar, no scientist, no philosopher, no religious leader, no medical professional — no one is worthy.

No human who has ever lived is worthy.

There are no angels worthy to open the book, stupendous creatures that they are.

I mean think about it, we just had a angel cry such a powerful cry that it is heard around the earth.

It is heard in hell.

It is heard in heaven.

His voice is so powerful it is heard through out the universe.

But this angel is not worthy to open the book.

Michael, the great archangel is not worthy.

Gabriel, the one who told Mary about her Baby is not worthy.

There are no angels, no humans, nor any other created being worthy to open the book.

But John, don’t weep, there IS Someone worthy to open the book.

That Someone is the Lion of the Tribe of Judah

Who is, at the very same time, the Lamb of God slain to unite people from every tribe, language, people and nation into a Kingdom of priests to our God

Jesus is this Lamb slain to purchase all people for Himself — to redeem them with His Blood.

He is, also the Lion of the tribe of Judah.

This is a title of the Messiah.

The symbol of the lion shows that He is the strongest and most powerful member of the tribe of Israel.

Judah was the strongest tribe of Israel, the strongest by far.

Way back in history, God had prophesied through Jacob that his own son Judah would be a "lion's whelp" (young cub).

If Judah himself was only a young cub, then the Messiah Himself must be like the King of beasts, the lion.

Very simply, the prophecy predicted that the coming Messiah would possess the strength and power of a lion, the king of beasts.

Who then is worthy to open the book?

Jesus Christ, the lion of Judah, the all powerful Messiah and King.

He and He alone is worthy enough to take the book and carry out the events of the end time.

Jesus Christ is the Lion of Judah. This title reflects the character and ministry of Christ in several ways. The title “Lion of Judah” reminds us of several truths.

I. IT REMINDS US OF THE WORTHINESS OF THE LION

The Lion of Judah refers back to the prophecy of Jacob that Judah would be the royal tribe.

* Genesis 49:8–10.… Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father’s children shall bow down before thee. [9] Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up? [10] The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

The lion is on the banner of Judah. Christ was born in the tribe of Judah. As the lion was the king of Beasts, Christ is the King of kings and Lord of lords. Jesus was slain as the Lamb of God and will return as the Lion of Judah in judgment.

Jesus is the Lion of Judah. The Bible speaks of His kingship and authority.

* Pilate asked if He was a king. John 18:37—Pilate therefore said unto him, Art thou a king then? Jesus answered, Thou sayest that I am a king. To this end was I born, and for this cause came I into the world, that I should bear witness unto the truth. Every one that is of the truth heareth my voice.

* 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26—For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

* Revelation 19:16—And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.

The Bible speaks of Christ’s authority.

* Matthew 7:29—For he taught them as one having authority, and not as the scribes.

* Matthew 28:18—And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.

When I see a person with lots of keys, I think of someone who has some kind of authority. They don’t give keys to just anyone. Jesus has great authority and carries some important keys.

* Revelation 1:18—I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.

Because Jesus is the King and He is THE AUTHORITY, we need to realize that what He thinks is what really matters, not what the crowd thinks. We are all accountable to the Lord. May we live our lives to please Him.

* Philippians 2:9–16 … Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name: [10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth; [11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father. [12] Wherefore, my beloved, as ye have always obeyed, not as in my presence only, but now much more in my absence, work out your own salvation with fear and trembling. [13] For it is God which worketh in you both to will and to do of his good pleasure. [14] Do all things without murmurings and disputings: [15] That ye may be blameless and harmless, the sons of God, without rebuke, in the midst of a crooked and perverse nation, among whom ye shine as lights in the world; [16] Holding forth the word of life; that I may rejoice in the day of Christ, that I have not run in vain, neither laboured in vain. Our encouragement comes from knowing that Satan is not the boss and will not win in the end. Let me ask, “How important is the opinion of Jesus Christ, the Lion of Judah? The title of Lion of Judah reminds us of another truth.

II. IT REMINDS US OF THE WALK OF THE LION

The lion is characterized by courage, strength, boldness, and fearlessness. It’s strength is distributed over it’s body and limbs. He is strong enough to carry an ox. His paw can break the neck on an animal with one swipe. His claws can cut four inches deep into flesh. The lion’s muscles are so hard that they can dull a hunter’s knife. The lion is very strong.

* Proverbs 30:30—A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any;

The Lord Jesus Christ has the same qualities of the lion.

1. He was bold.… Proverbs 28:1—The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. The boldness of Christ helps us to have boldness in our life too. In whom we have boldness and access with confidence by the faith of him. (Ephesians 3:12)

2. He had great strength. Enduring the cross and hiking through the Holy Land with it’s hills and mountains demanded strength. The strength of the Lord gives us strength.

* Psalm 27:14—Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord.As the Lamb of God, Jesus was weakened by fatigue. As the Lion of Judah He stilled the storms.

III. IT REMINDS US OF THE WORK OF THE LION

The lion is a master, a conqueror. His roar instills fear in those who hear it. It is the male lion that protects the pride of lions from other lions and animals.

* Isaiah 42:13—The Lord shall go forth as a mighty man, he shall stir up jealousy like a man of war: he shall cry, yea, roar; he shall prevail against his enemies. Our Lord is our conqueror and protects too. Our greatest enemy is a lion, Satan, and our greatest defense is the Lion of Judah.

* 1 Peter 5:8—Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Jesus is the conqueror of the enemy known as “Death.”

* 1 Corinthians 15:25, 26—For he must reign, till he hath put all enemies under his feet. The last enemy that shall be destroyed is death.

Jesus protects us from evil. Satan is after us like the enemy lions are after the cubs. Our salvation is protected by Christ.

* 1 Peter 1:5—Who are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation ready to be revealed in the last time. The Lord also protects us by empowering us and praying for us.

* Hebrews 7:25—Wherefore he is able also to save them to the uttermost that come unto God by him, seeing he ever liveth to make intercession for them.

* John 1:12—But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name:

* 2 Corinthians 12:9—And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.

IV. IT REMINDS US OF THE WRATH OF THE LION

* Psalm 50:22—Now consider this, ye that forget God, lest I tear you in pieces, and there be none to deliver.

* Proverbs 20:2—The fear of a king is as the roaring of a lion: whoso provoketh him to anger sinneth against his own soul.

The wrath of our Lord will be fierce when He returns. He will judge the world as the Lion of Judah.

* John 5:22, 27—For the Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son: And hath given him authority to execute judgment also, because he is the Son of man.

* Romans 2:16—In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Jesus Christ according to my gospel.

* 2 Timothy 4:1—I charge thee therefore before God, and the Lord Jesus Christ, who shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing and his kingdom;

V. IT REMINDS US OF THE WORSHIP OF LIONS

Other peoples worshipped the lion as if it were a god.

It certainly was fearsome.

We worship the TRUE Lion, Jesus who is the Lion of Judah, life centers in Jesus Christ.

* John 1:4—In him was life; and the life was the light of men.

* John 3:36—He that believeth on the Son hath everlasting life: and he that believeth not the Son shall not see life; but the wrath of God abideth on him.

The key stars in Leo’s constellation are as follows.

1. Regel or Regulus, located in the breast of the constellation, means “the feet which crush.” Jesus Christ did do this to Satan.

* Psalm 91:13—Thou shalt tread upon the lion and adder: the young lion and the dragon shalt thou trample under feet.

* Genesis 3:15—And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. Christ fulfilled this prophecy.

2. Denebola, which is located in the tail, means “the Judge, the Lord, who cometh with haste.” Jesus Christ is coming soon and He is coming to judge.

* Revelation 22:12—And, behold, I come quickly; and my reward is with me, to give every man according as his work shall be.

3. Al Giebha means “the exalted, the exaltation.” When Christ returns He will be praised, worshiped, and exalted. The term Lion of Judah means lion of praise. One day all will praise our Lord (Philippians 2:9–11). Is the Lord Jesus Christ your Lion King?[1]

So this evening, let’s turn to the strong Lion of Judah.

The One who will in the near future open the book that is in the Father’s right hand.

The book no one else can open.

Let’s turn to the One who:

Has authority over every area of our life — no sickness can stand against Him.

No situation is outside of His authority.

So we turn every challenge over to Him.

Protect us

With boldness and great strength

He protects us from the roaring toothless lion, satan.

Who is coming with fierce wrath upon all who reject Him.

Let’s bow our hearts and minds before Him tonight.

Let’s hear what the Lion of Judah would say through the agency of the Holy Spirit