The Lion And The Lamb Series

He succeeds where no other king has succeeded. He, and He alone, is worthy to rule, because He has conquered – He is a Lion!

In June, 2005, seven violent men abducted a 12-year-old Ethiopian girl, intending to force her into marriage. The men held her for seven days, beating her repeatedly.

Such incidents are common in Ethiopia, as several men band together to abduct young girls for the purpose of securing a bride. The girls are typically beaten into submission and raped. In this particular instance, there was not a human being within earshot to hear the cries of this girl.

But her cries were heard by three majestic Ethiopian lions. Famous for their large black manes, these lions are the national symbol of the country. In response to the girl's cries for help, three large lions leapt from the brush and chased her captors away.

Perhaps the child thought she had traded one danger for another, but remarkably, her heroes formed a protective perimeter around her. A half-day later, when the police arrived, the guardian lions simply stood up and walked away. Sgt. Wondimu Wedajo said, “They stood guard until we found her, and then they just left her like a gift and went back into the forest.”

One wildlife expert suggested the girl's whimpering could have sounded like a lion cub; but for whatever reason, the predator served as protector. Wondimu said, “Everyone thinks this is some kind of miracle.” (Anthony Mitchell, “Lions Rescue, Guard Beaten Ethiopian Girl,” Yahoo News, 6-21-05; www.PreachingToday.com)

Indeed, it WAS a miracle! The 12-year-old girl was helpless. She was powerless to change her horrific circumstances, but something more powerful than her captors came along.

We too are powerless to save ourselves from sin and death. Our only hope is in Christ, the Lion of Judah. He, and He alone, is worthy to rule, because He has conquered – He is a Lion! 2nd, He is worthy to rule, because…

HE WAS CRUCIFIED.

You see, He is not only a lion; He is a lamb, who was slain as a sacrifice for our sins. He was violently and brutally slaughtered in our place.

Revelation 5:6a And between the throne and the four living creatures and among the elders I saw a Lamb standing, as though it had been slain… (ESV)

Now, wait a minute. I thought you said the one worthy to rule is a Lion! What is this weak, seriously injured little lamb doing standing there? Yes, but this is no ordinary lamb.

Revelation 5:6b …with seven horns and with seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. (ESV)

Seven is the number of perfection, and He has seven horns – perfect power, seven eyes – perfect insight, and seven spirits in all the earth – perfect presence. This Lamb is the omnipotent, omniscient, omnipresent God of the universe Himself.

Revelation 5:7 And he went and took the scroll from the right hand of him who was seated on the throne. (ESV)

God, the Son, claims the right to rule from God, the Father. He alone claims the right to break the seals of the book, which contains His Father’s plans for the world.