The Lion From The Tribe Of Judah

Let’s take a moment and see how Jesus was first the lamb, but then His coming back as a lion.

• As a lamb He was born as a helpless baby, but as a lion He’s coming in power and strength, Luke 2:7, Zechariah 14:4, Revelation 19:15.

• As a lamb He came in poverty, but as a lion He’s coming in majesty and in royal splendor, Luke 2:7, Revelation 14:4, Revelation 19:11-16.

• As a lamb a few greeted Him, but as a lion every eye will see Him, Luke 2:15-16, Revelation 1:7.

• As a lamb He brought peace between God and man when He died upon the cross, but as a lion He’s coming to execute judgment on those who reject Him, John 19:30, Colossians 1:19-22, 2 Thessalonians 1:7b-9.

• As a lamb He was despised and rejected, but as a lion every knee will bow before Him, Isaiah 53:3, John 18:39-40, Philippians 2:10-11.

Prophetic Fulfillment

Now the name, Lion from the tribe of Judah, as being attached to Jesus is seen not only in what the elder said that He is the Root of David, who is a descendant of Judah, but also in the prophecy given by Jacob to his son, Judah.

Jacob, who is a patriarch of Israel and from whom the twelve tribes of Israel originated, lays his hands on each of his sons and prophesied.

To Judah he said, “Judah is a lion’s whelp (cub); 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? (Genesis 49:9 NKJV)

The reason we know that a king comes from the line of Judah, who is symbolized in this passage as a lion, is seen in what Jacob goes on to say in his prophesy.

“The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh (the Messiah) comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people. (Genesis 49:10 NKJV)

Further, the elder confirms to John the Messiah’s kingship saying that He would also be from the Kingly line of David, calling Him the Root of David. This is clearly seen in Jesus’ genealogy found in Matthew’s gospel, Matthew 1-16.

The Messiah being from the line of David who will rule as king is also seen not only how Jacob said that the scepter shall not depart from Judah, but also when the Lord said to David, “Your house and your kingdom shall be established forever before you. Your throne shall be established forever.” (2 Samuel 7:16 NKJV)

And so in Revelation what we see is that the time of God’s grace towards sin has run its course, and the period of grace we are presently in is gone, it is over, because while Jesus is long suffering, He’s not forever suffering. Jesus as a king and lawgiver will judge as a lion the wicked who have rejected His gift of grace as a lamb, and the people will not hear the voice of a lamb, but rather they will hear the roar of a lion.

The Lion’s Qualities

What qualities does the lion symbolize when it comes to the Messiah and the second coming of Christ?

Holiness

Whenever you see a picture of a male lion you see him alone, apart from the pride, giving the appearance of aloofness from all that goes on around him.

The word holy means to be set apart. We are not only to be set apart from something, but also we are set apart to something. To be holy is to be set apart from the world and set apart for the Lord.