Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book. – Revelation 5:5
On the mantel in our living room stands a small photo of my dad, taken a number of years ago. Cradled in his arms is a lion cub, docile and cute. My parents were visiting a place where wild animals were raised to be tame. However, I am not so sure that even my dad would have trusted that lion after it had grown to full size!
The lion is known as the king of beasts, the ruler of the forest. His fierce roar can strike terror to the heart of a man, and paralyze other animals or send them running for their lives.
In 1 Peter 5:8 the writer describes Satan as a roaring lion. Truly he does stalk about, looking for anyone he can overthrow, paralyze with fear, or rip to pieces in a spiritual sense. We do well not to tangle with this lion if we can avoid it.
I love to think about a different Lion, the Lion of Judah. In His strength we can defeat the enemy! Satan cannot stand against the power of this Mighty One, when we call upon our Lord for deliverance.
Jesus came as a Lamb, God’s sacrificial Lamb, and He paid a tremendous price on Calvary to redeem us from the devil’s grasp. Today He is alive and working in the lives of men, but one great day the Lamb will reveal Himself as the Lion, in all of His magnificence!
Kingdoms of man’s making are destined to crumble. Even though evil surrounds us, and many times seems to prevail, let us remember that the King of all kings still reigns over His world. In God’s time, the Lion of Judah is going to destroy all the forces of evil.
When Jesus opens the book spoken of in our focus verse, the story will change dramatically. At the end of the story, that Lion will prevail. Let us make sure we are on His side!