Tag: Lion of Judah
A Father’s blessings!
Scripture reading for January 17th: Genesis 48-50
Have you ever been at the bedside of a loved one who was soon to enter eternity? Joseph or someone in the family took down Jacob’s last words to each family member. He gave a special blessing to Joseph’s two sons, Ephriam and Manasseh. He then spoke prophetic words over the other sons. (Genesis 49:9-20)
The blessing of Joseph’s sons effectively made Joseph the first-born. Israel blessed Joseph and adopted the boys. In this way, Joseph would get the double portion. ( The first-born was to get a double portion of the inheritance.) The other brothers had tried to kill Joseph and cut him out, but God re-established his place and doubled the inheritance! Israel also chose Ephraim over Manasseh. The younger over the older. All blessing and God’s reward comes not from birth order but Divine order!
Judah also received a word in Genesis 49:8-12. Judah was told that his brothers would praise him. (His name means “praise”.) His hand would be on the neck of his enemies and his father’s sons would bow down to him. He was called a “lion’s cub”. Jesus was the offspring of Judah in the genealogy of Matthew 1:3. He is known as the “Lion of Judah” (Revelation 5:5) He triumphed over all God’s enemies! (Colossians 3:15) He is King of Kings and rules over nations! (Revelation 15:3-4)
Israel made Joseph swear to take his bones back to the promised land of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob (Israel). He believed in God returning to that land. He wanted to be buried there in order to receive his future inheritance. Israel got his wish and awaits the resurrection in the near future
“You are a lion’s cub, O Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness–who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he comes to whom it belongs and the obedience of the nations is his.” Genesis 49:9-10.
Lion and Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 24th: Revelation 4-5
John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice calling him to enter. He immediately saw the brilliant throne of heaven and One seated on it. This throne was encircled by an emerald rainbow and radiated flashes of lightning and rumblings of loud thunder. There were 24 other thrones with elders seated dressed in white with golden crowns. Four living creatures that resembled animals with eyes all over them worshiped the One on the throne constantly saying “Holy,holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
The 24 elders responded to the worship of these strange creatures with worship of their own. They fell down before the throne and cast their golden crowns before the Lord and said: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)
The worship of the elders is focused on God as creator of all things. Everything that has life draws it’s life from God. Because of His will and pleasure we have our being. Many in our culture deny God as creator but accept time and chance. Gods of good luck and fortune move them instead of the Lord, Creator of all!
John saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. A mighty angel spoke out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2) No one was found and John began to weep profusely. But the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed and He would open the scroll!
When John looked, this Lion was none other than a Lamb who had the marks of being slain. The Lamb took the scroll from the One seated on the throne and the 24 elders fell down and began to worship with a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priest to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10) The Lion who is also a Lamb is the focus of all heaven and earth! Jesus Christ is His Name!
Worthy is the Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 14th: Revelation 5:1-14
John, continuing his tour of the throne room of heaven, noticed a scroll in the hand of the One on the throne. A mighty angel cried out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2) John wept that no one was found in heaven or earth who could open the scroll.
“Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals.” Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and elders.” (Revelation 5:5-6a) Long ago, God had foretold that the tribe of Judah would bring forth a ruler over the nations. (Genesis 49:10) At another time, God had foretold that the line of David would bring a King who would rule eternally! (2nd Samuel 7:9-16)
But it was not apparent to John that this was the Lion of Judah, for he saw a Lamb, looking like it had been slain! This Lamb was worthy to open this scroll and read its contents. The elders around the throne sang a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because You were slain, and with Your blood You purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” (Revelation 5:9-10) The Lamb’s sacrifice of His blood purchased men for God! All men are lost and sold into slavery to sin. The price of full redemption was the blood of the Lamb of God who would take away the sins of the world! (John 1:29)
John looked again and heard the voices of many angels worshiping around the throne. Then he heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea singing: “To Him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb, be praise and honor and glory and power, for ever and ever!” (Revelation 5:13) Heaven and earth were in unison and focused on the throne of heaven. Their worship was giving glory to the One on the throne and to this Lamb–for ever and ever!
Lion and Lamb!
Scripture reading for December 24th: Revelation 4-5
John saw a door open in heaven and heard a voice calling him to enter. It was the same voice that he had heard earlier–the voice of Jesus! He immediately saw the brilliant throne of heaven and One seated on it. This throne was encircled by an emerald rainbow and radiated flashes of lightning and rumblings of loud thunder. This throne was surrounded by 24 other thrones with elders seated dressed in white with golden crowns. There were four other living creatures that resembled animals with eyes all over them. These creatures worshiped the One on the throne constantly saying “Holy,holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is and is to come.” (Revelation 4:8)
The 24 elders responded to the worship of these strange creatures with worship of their own. They fell down before the throne and cast their golden crowns before the Lord and said: “You are worthy, our Lord and God, to receive glory and honor and power, for you created all things, and by your will they were created and have their being.” (Revelation 4:11)
It is interesting to note that the worship of the 24 elders is focused on God as creator of all things. Everything that has life draws it’s life from God. He is the source of life. Because of His will and pleasure we have our being. Many in our culture deny God as creator and feel that their existence is not connected to anything but time and chance. Gods of good luck and fortune move them instead of the Lord, Creator of all!
John next saw a scroll in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. A mighty angel spoke out: “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?” (Revelation 5:2) No one was found and John began to weep profusely. One of the elders spoke up and told John to calm down because the Lion of the tribe of Judah had triumphed. He would open the scroll!
When John looked, this Lion was none other than a Lamb who had the marks of being slain. He also had seven horns and seven eyes! The Lamb took the scroll from the One seated on the throne and the 24 elders fell down before the Lamb and began to worship with a new song: “You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased men for God from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priest to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth.” Revelation 5:9-10
John looked again and he saw multitudes of angels worshiping the Lamb and then he heard every creature in heaven and earth and under the earth and on the sea singing praises to the One on the throne and to the Lamb! The Lion who is also a Lamb is the focus of all heaven and earth! Jesus Christ is His Name!