In Revelation 5:5-6, we have the Lord Jesus taking His rightful place as judge. “The Father judgeth no man, but hath committed all judgment unto the Son” (John 5:22). The scroll of judgment is brought out, but none are found who are able to open the book, until “the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” comes forward.
It is a solemn thought on which to reflect that it is only by judgment that righteousness and peace can finally be brought to this world. Man has tried many times, down through the ages, to bring about lasting peace, only to find that, at best, the peace is transitory; soon strife and war break out again. It is only when “Thy judgments are in the earth” that “the inhabitants of the world will learn righteousness” (Isa. 26:9).
“The Lion”
It is fitting that the Lord Jesus is here referred to as “the Lion of the tribe of Judah.” The lion is the symbol of strength, and it is mentioned in Proverbs 30:30 as “the strongest among beasts, which turneth not away for any.” It is described in Micah 5:8 as one who “both treadeth down, and teareth in pieces, and none can deliver.” The Lord Jesus is the only One who can execute judgment with strength and power, represented by the lion.
He is also from the tribe of Judah, for Judah was the royal tribe, and one of the characteristics attributed to Judah is that of being “a young lion” (JND trans.), whose hand will be upon the neck of his enemies. Surely the Lord is the One referred to here, for He is also “the Root of David,” as the One whom David could address as Lord (Psa. 110:1). David was a mighty warrior who is not recorded as ever having lost a battle, but his Root is the Lord Jesus Himself. He will appear, not only to judge this world, but also on behalf of His earthly people Israel.
When John had seen the Lord Jesus in chapter 1, he saw One whose appearance and demeanor denoted power and majesty, and so much so that John “fell at His feet as dead” (Rev. 1:17). Thus, when he was privileged to look upon the One who was able to open the book, he might well have expected to see the appearance of the lion displayed. But instead, he sees “a Lamb as it had been slain” (Rev. 5:6). It is true that the Lamb had “seven horns and seven eyes,” which speak, respectively, of perfect strength and perfect intelligence to carry out judgment. But the lamb is the symbol of weakness and submission, not of power. However, the Lord Jesus appearing as “a Lamb as it had been slain” is very instructive for us. In His character as the Lion, He is able to take the book; in His character as the Lamb that has been slain, He is worthy to do so. It is the Lord Jesus who has entered into death and who has defeated Satan, the world and death. It is because He suffered for sin that He has acquired both the right and the power to execute judgment. Another has put it very well:
“The One that prevails as the Lion is the One who first suffered as the Lamb. His power to overcome in opening the book is that He has overcome by going into death. As the Lamb slain He overcame sin and death and the devil. Having overcome as the suffering Lamb, He has acquired the power to overcome every enemy as the mighty Lion.”
The Sacrificial Lamb
Again, here is a most important truth. Our blessed Lord and Savior had the power as God to exercise judgment, but (we speak with all reverence) He could not “take away the sin of the world” (John 1:29) or “bring in everlasting righteousness” (Dan. 9:24) unless He went to Calvary’s cross. The question of sin must be settled before a holy God; for this reason, “once in the end of the world hath He appeared to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself” (Heb. 9:26). Because of all this, He is “worthy to take the book,” and thus He appears as “a Lamb as it had been slain.”
The judgment of sin will eventually be finished and sin forever put away from God’s presence. At that time His character of “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” will no longer be needed. But He will forever appear as “the Lamb of God,” and His wounds will forever remind us that He suffered, not only for us, but to put away sin from this entire universe. Those wounds will draw out our eternal praise.
W. J. Prost