Our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ is the lion of the tribe of Judah. Amen, and praise the Lord!
This verse shows the soon-to-be-fulfilled prophecy uttered by Jacob when he blessed each of his twelve sons before his death (Genesis 49:9). And while Jesus was a descendent of David, he is first and foremost the root of David for, as he said to a group of Jews who believed on him, “Before Abraham was, I am” (John 8:58).
As Jesus opens the seals (Revelation 6:1), tribulation comes upon the earth beginning with the rider on the white horse representing the Antichrist going forth conquering, and to conquer (Revelation 6:2). Given all that’s taking place in the world today, it’s likely the first seal has either been opened or is very soon to be opened. Either way, may the Lord strengthen us in these last days that our faith does not fail such that we deny him, as happened to Peter when he denied Jesus thrice (Luke 22:56-61), as Jesus prophesied the evening he was betrayed and taken (Luke 22:31-34).
Amongst the things that Jesus said when sent out the twelve he gave them a stark warning:
But whosoever shall deny me before men, him will I also deny before my Father which is in heaven. (Matthew 10:33)
Thus Peter was in great jeopardy, having denied the Lord but, after Jesus’ resurrection, his faith returned and he had the opportunity to tell Jesus, three times, that he loved him (John 21:15-17) — a beautiful antithesis to his three denials. Thus, we must, as Peter writes in his first epistle, steadfastly resist the devil (1 Peter 5:9). In context:
Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking whom he may devour: Whom resist stedfast in the faith, knowing that the same afflictions are accomplished in your brethren that are in the world. (1 Peter 5:8-9)
In other words, we must always be sure we’re firmly holding up the shield of faith (Ephesians 6:16) that we might quench all the fiery darts of temptation — fear, doubt, anger, lust, and so on — that come from the devil and his demons.
This is the thirteenth verse image in our ongoing series from the Book of Revelation. See here for all images in the series.
Revelation 5 Audio
Revelation 5:1-7
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.
6 And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth.
7 And he came and took the book out of the right hand of him that sat upon the throne.
