Daily Digest: Capstone Capsule

“…Weep not: behold, the LION of the Tribe of JUDAH, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book…” – Revelation 5:5

To glorify the God of Impact is to trust in the LION of the Tribe of JUDAH: “And one of the elders said to me, Weep not: behold, the LION of the Tribe of JUDAH, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof” (Rev.5:5). Our meditation text describes a scene in the heavenly throne room where Jesus Christ is glorified as the only One worthy to open a sealed scroll, fulfilling the prophecy of the “Lion of the Tribe of Judah” – Who prevailed where others could not. This title testifies to the faithfulness of the Covenant-keeping God, whose Word is “Yes and Amen” (2Cor.1:20).

The unique title relates to Hosea 5:14a: “For I will be like a LION to Ephraim, and like a young lion to the house of Judah…” Earlier, aged Jacob prophesied that Judah, his fourth son, would be like a lion, and that latter kings of Israel, including Christ, would come from this tribe: “Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you.  Judah is a lion's whelp; 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? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh comes; and to Him shall be the obedience of the people” (Gen.49:8-10).

Later, God told David, also of the tribe of Judah, that his kingdom would be eternal and his household would rule forever (2 Sam.7:8-17). In the New Testament, Luke 1:30-33 reports how angel Gabriel explained to Mary, also of the house of David, that her virgin-born Son would fulfil the Old Testament promises. God kept His Word; the sceptre did not depart from Judah, nor the Law-giver from between His feet! Most interesting is the paradox of Revelation 5:5. When John turned to see the LION of Judah, what he saw was a slain LAMB (v.6). Displayed before John was the eternally slain Lamb – the Triumphant Lion.

Symbolically, the Lion is the King; bold and fierce, who bows to none other, but is to be feared and revered. John saw Christ in His past work, as the redeeming LAMB; but more importantly, in His future work, as the prevailing LION. Beloved, let’s join all of Heaven to glorify the Lion of the tribe of Judah! He has begotten us into His Royal Fold of the bold and triumphant ones, whose names are engraved in the Lamb’s Book of Life! The Lion of the Tribe of Judah causes all weeping to end! Alleluia!