The Names of Christ
"NAMES OF CHRIST"© -is a book written by Dr. James Modlish
-reprinted here with the author's permission-

Lesson Eleven

The Lion of The Tribe of Judah
(Revelation 5:5)

Introduction: The lion has long been recognized as "The King of the Beast." A male lion can weigh any where from 350 to 600 pounds.

Most males are about nine feet long from the nose to the end of the tail. They are about 3 1/2 feet tall at the shoulder. Male lions are the only cats with manes. This collar of long thick hair covers their head, except the face, and the neck down to the shoulders and chest. As well as providing a majestic appearance, it also protects him during a fight.

If God has compared His Son to a Lion there are undoubtedly some necessary application that can be made.

The lion is known for several things:

I. HIS STRENGTH (Prov. 30:30)

Lions are built for strength. They have been observed dragging 600 pound animals that they have killed considerable distances. The strength of a lion has long been the standard by which to judge real strength. "Saul and Jonathan were lovely and pleasant in their lives, and in their death they were not divided: they were swifter than eagles, they were stronger than lions." (2 Sam. 1:23)

Often people make the mistake of supposing Jesus' compassion and love is a sign of weakness.

Please consider:

A. Jesus driving the money changers from the temple - (Matt. 21:12,13)
B. The officers sent to arrest Jesus came back empty handed because of His words - (Jn. 7:32, 45-47)
C. The angry mob parted as Jesus passed through - (Lk. 4:28-30)
D. The ability to carry a cross after being scourged - (Matt. 27:26)
E. The Second Coming of Christ - (Rev. 19:11-21)

II. HIS ROAR

"The lion hath roared, who will not fear? the Lord God hath spoken, who can but prophesy?" (Amos 3:8)

The roar of a lion has been compared to the voice of God.

"They shall walk after the Lord: he shall roar like a lion: when he shall roar, then the children shall tremble from the west." (Hos. 11:10) (See also Rev. 10:3)

According to National Geographic, April 1969, the roar of a lion has more than one function:

A. A soft moaning sound - a roar of low intensity - a lioness call's her cubs from the hiding place, generally for food.

"The young lions roar after their prey, and seek their meat from God." (Ps. 104:21)

B. When a member of the pride (family) is looking for others, it will roar loudly, then listen attentively for an answer. (Job 38:1-3,18; 40:1-7)

NOTE: Lions usually live and travel in family groups called "prides". There may be as few as 4-6 or as many as 30. The family setup seems to be some what symbolical of the local church.

According to the same article in National Geographic: "Although some members of the pride, especially the males, may roam widely, the lions usually confine themselves to a definite territory."

Another interesting note is, "Pride members are affectionate among themselves. They rub cheeks when they meet. They rest and hunt together, but strangers or members of a neighboring pride are not usually accepted." (Jer. 31:3; Eze. 16:6-14) Lions never kill unnecessarily but only when there is a need. A lion seldom eats everything, but leaves some for the scavengers. God's blessings overflow to the bystanders. (Matt. 15:21-28, Gen. 30:27)

C. The roar strikes fear because of its deafening, ferocious sound. Of course in the case of the "Lion of the tribe of Judah", there is good cause for fear.

III. AN INSTRUMENT OF JUDGMENT

There have been a variety of occasions where lions have been used by God as an instrument of judgment.

A. Judgment upon the Assyrians - (2 Kings 17:24-26)
B. The young prophet who disobeyed God - (1 Kings 13:24-26)
C. The man who ignored the prophet - (1 Kings 20:35-36)

Note: According to Encyclopedia Americana, "Lions after the kill usually rip the carcass open and commence eating the entrails, heart and liver."

Jesus Christ exposes with one motion our inner most being. "Lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver." (Ps. 7:2)

D. Lions are known for their powerful teeth. They do not have teeth to chew, but only to tear, swallowing large chunks of meat. (Rev. 9:8; Joel 1:6)

Even the Devil, also pictured as a lion (1 Pet. 5:8), will be used as an instrument of judgment upon Israel. (Hos. 13:8)

Conclusion: Today the Sons of God ought to have the boldness of a lion. "The wicked flee when no man pursueth: but the righteous are bold as a lion."

(Prov. 28:1) The question may well be asked as Nahum did, "Where is the dwelling of the lions, and the feeding place of the young lions, where the lion, even the old lion, walked, and the lions whelp, and none made them afraid?" (Nah. 2:11)

Today Christianity has a lot more pussy cats than lions!

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