The names and titles given to the Lord Jesus in the Word of God are many and varied in thought. They speak of His attributes, His glories, and His dispensational relationships. The One whom God delights to honor is thus placed before man according to the varied glories which are and will yet be His. And these varied names and titles, so full of significance, call forth worship and homage from hearts that are won to Him when their meaning is entered into.
The Lion of the tribe of Judah is one of His titles and is given to us in Rev. 5:5. "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof." Here we have the Lord Jesus introduced in connection with the earthly purposes of God. David, the son of Jesse, was the one whom Jehovah had chosen to be king of Israel. "He chose David also His servant, and took him from the sheepfolds." Psa. 78:70. David was marked as the king and this title brings before us God's purpose as to Christ in connection with Israel on earth.
In Rev. 5:5, the One who can step forward when all others have failed—not one in heaven, in earth, nor under the earth being worthy to open the book and loose its seals—is the blessed One who comes in the royal line of Judah according to God's purpose. Because of this He is termed "the Lion of the tribe of Judah." He alone can take the book, open its seals and unfold those things which are coming to pass on the earth. He is the worthy and powerful One, but not manifested as such till all others have been proved unworthy to undertake such a work. How suitable and appropriate is the name, "The Lion of the tribe of Judah.”
We know Judah was the tribe from which Christ, or Messiah, came, and the name "Lion" gives the thought of majesty and power. Jacob compared Judah to a lion in Gen. 49:9, "Judah is a lion's whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?”
The same symbol is used in connection with Israel and awaits fulfillment in a future day. "Behold, the people shall rise up as a great lion, and lift up himself as a young lion: he shall not lie down until he eat of the prey, and drink the blood of the slain." Num. 23:24.
The Lord in His character as the Lion of the tribe of Judah is the One who will bring this about. At present He is still despised and rejected by man, but accepted of God and seated at His right hand. He waits the time when He will make His enemies His footstool, and all things shall be put in subjection under Him. Then His lion-like character of power and majesty will be manifested.
Another very important point which this portion brings before us is that He does not take the place of opening the book because of His divine glory, or because He is worthy, but because He "prevailed." His victory through His death is what is made prominent.
The Lord might at any time have taken that book and opened the seals because of His personal worthiness, but had He done so on that ground we could not have known the wonderful unfolding (or secrets) of the book. No, He would not thus open the seals, but by having become man, and still being a divine person, He had power to go down into death and to rise victoriously. He overcame, He conquered, or as the Scripture says, "He prevailed." On that ground He takes the book and opens the seals and can unfold to us through John what is to take place on this earth after He will have His Church with Himself in the glory.
Do you rejoice that the Lord Jesus Christ will yet have that place of honor and glory, or do you fear as you think of this? If you know Him in His Lamb-like character, that is, as the One who has been a sacrifice for sin and can say, "He died for me," you will rejoice that He will have His rightful place. But if you are not able to say so from the heart, you may well fear and tremble at the thought of His coming power and glory. Man must have Him as his Savior, or as his Judge. Which will it be with you?
J. T. Armet