Is there a Lyin Lion?
The Lion of Juda--The Real King
Rev. 5:1-5
1 ¶ And I saw in the right hand of him that sat on the throne a book written within and on the backside, sealed with seven seals.
2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.
John the Beloved was having a vision of things to come. Even the unbelievers are saying that the end has to be near.
There is a book in heaven that will be opened by none other than the Lion of Juda. That book will reveal how the judgment will be poured out on the earth in the last days.
None other is worthy to open this book. Behold the Lion is amongst us.
He came the first time as the Lamb of God and He became our spotless sacrifice for sin. But now we are about to enter a new era of time. The Lamb is about to become the Lion.
I. The COVERING of the Lion
Gen. 49:9
9 Judah is a lion's whelp (young lion): 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?
The 12 tribes of Israel each had a standard (flag or banner). On that banner was an insignia or coat of arms. Each tribes insignia was created from meaning of the blessing that Jacob gave to each of his sons.
Judah---a lion
Dan--a serpent
Naphtali--a female deer
Benjamin--a wolf
and so on.
When the israelites moved or marched, it was always done in a certain order. The leading tribe was Judah. They would lift the banner high, and all the tribe would march with their group.
So the Lion of Judah was always seen in the lead and heading up the 12 tribes.
Isa. 59:19
So shall they fear the name of the LORD from the west, and his glory from the rising of the sun. When the enemy shall come in like a flood, the Spirit of the LORD shall lift up a standard against him.
COVER = to place something upon or over.
They marched under the covering of that banner.
Ps. 91:1
He that dwelleth in the secret place of the most High shall abide under the shadow of the Almighty.
The word "secret" in english is translated from the Hebrew and literally means a covering.
The Lion is here and He has you covered.
Exo. 17:14,15
14 And the LORD said unto Moses, Write this for a memorial in a book, and rehearse it in the ears of Joshua: for I will utterly put out the remembrance of Amalek from under heaven.
15 And Moses built an altar, and called the name of it Jehovahnissi:
Jehovah-Nissi = Jehovah is my flag
The victory is ours as long as we keep under the covering of the banner of God Almighty
Isa. 11:10
And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign (symbol) of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.
II. The COMFORT of the Lion
John was weeping because no one could open the book. Then an elder got his attention and said "weep not"
Why? Because the Lion of Judah was there and had prevailed.
Jesus Himself used these words from time to time.
Lk. 7:11-13
11 ¶ And it came to pass the day after, that he went into a city called Nain; and many of his disciples went with him, and much people.
12 Now when he came nigh to the gate of the city, behold, there was a dead man carried out, the only son of his mother, and she was a widow: and much people of the city was with her.
13 And when the Lord saw her, he had compassion on her, and said unto her, Weep not.
Jairus' daughter
Lk. 8:51,52
51 And when he came into the house, he suffered no man to go in, save Peter, and James, and John, and the father and the mother of the maiden.
52 And all wept, and bewailed her: but he said, Weep not; she is not dead, but sleepeth.
The plead to quit crying is because He wants your attention.
The Lion is in the midst and He makes things so much better.
The Bible speaks of 4 places that a lion uses for a habitation.
1. The Thickets--a place of thorns and stickers (pain)---the Lion is there.
Jer. 4:7
7 The lion is come up from his thicket
7 El león sube de su guarida
2. The Forest--a place where one can get lost easily; confusion---the Lion is there.
Jer. 5:6
6 Wherefore a lion out of the forest shall slay them,
6 Por tanto, el león de la selva los herirá,
3. The Desert--thirst, heat, disoriented---the Lion is there
Isa. 30:6
4. The Mountain--a symbol of victory--the Lion is there
Isa. 65:25
Wherever you are at, whatever you are going through, the Lion of Juda is there to COMFORT you.
III. The CONQUERING CHAMPION Lion
Prevail = to conquer
Prov. 30:30
A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any; (KJV)
30 El león, fuerte entre todos los animales, que no vuelve atrás por nada: (RVG04)
IL.: The Lion in the jungle roaring at different animals. In each case he asks who is the mightiest animal of the jungle.
A Monkey agrees
A deer agrees
An elephant picks him up with his trunk and smashes him against the ground, then shakes him harshly and throws him against a tree.
The lion gets up and gets his composure and says: "Man, just because you don't know the answer, you don't have to get so mad.
The Lion of Judah is the all-time undisputed champion of love.
IV. The COPY-CAT Lion
1 P. 5:8
8 ¶ Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: (KJV)
8 Sed sobrios, y velad; porque vuestro adversario el diablo, cual león rugiente, anda alrededor buscando a quien devorar; (RVG04)
Did you hear that little word "as". The devil wants to appear so vicious that you will hurt yourself trying to get away from him. He is a full-blown fake.
Satan wants to imitate the authority of Jesus, but he is just all noise.
God has called us to imitate His example.
Prov. 28:1
1 ¶ The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion. (KJV)
1 Huye el impío sin que nadie lo persiga: Mas el justo está confiado como un león. (RVG04)
When the devil comes roaring at you, be careful, but don't let him run you up a tree or into a cave. By the authority of Gods' Word, we can roar back.
