Is Jesus the Lion of Judah?
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When he was gone, a lion met him on the road and killed him. And his corpse was thrown on the road, and the donkey stood by it. The lion also stood by the corpse.
(1 Kings 13:24)
and why doesn't the lion kill the donkey? but stands guard, as it were, alongside the donkey, over the body of the man of God?
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seeing that Christ has a great number of titles i think it might be a better question why in Revelation 22:16 He uses these two in particular?
rather than, 'why doesn't He list all 1,000 of the names He's called by in this verse' ?
i do think it is significant. but i don't think the significance is in the Lion of Judah not being mentioned here; the significance is in the Root & Offspring of David, the Bright & Morning Star being what He chooses to call Himself in that particular verse.
He doesn't call Himself Son of Man or Son of God in Revelation 22:16 -- but why in the world would i even think for a second that means He's not the Son?
rather than, 'why doesn't He list all 1,000 of the names He's called by in this verse' ?
i do think it is significant. but i don't think the significance is in the Lion of Judah not being mentioned here; the significance is in the Root & Offspring of David, the Bright & Morning Star being what He chooses to call Himself in that particular verse.
He doesn't call Himself Son of Man or Son of God in Revelation 22:16 -- but why in the world would i even think for a second that means He's not the Son?
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I don't think it's overly significant either but it could be because his Revelation is a message given to John for the Church.
Jesus isn't roaring at the church as a lion. His vengeance ministry is on the world.
The Church should already be accepting his kingship. We know we are but stewards of the earth until his return.
Those who follow the beast and are in rebellion against him will see him as a fearsome lion. (The head crusher of Gen 3:15)
Jesus isn't roaring at the church as a lion. His vengeance ministry is on the world.
The Church should already be accepting his kingship. We know we are but stewards of the earth until his return.
Those who follow the beast and are in rebellion against him will see him as a fearsome lion. (The head crusher of Gen 3:15)
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well it's also in Revelation that He is called the Lion of Judah, worthy to open the scroll. and that's also for us.
i certainly don't have all the answers and understanding yet to this. it's not going to be easy or simple -- here's a rough draft of a very much incomplete list of steps to sorting this out:
this could take years to properly study out. there are basic understandings like, in Revelation 5 He's about to deal with sin and judge it, but by Revelation 22 in the vision the scroll was already opened. that's true but overly simplistic and shallow. there are mountains of knowledge of God behind this, oceans of understanding to be drawn from.
i really don't think the ultimate answer is going to be anything like "maybe He's not actually the Lion" -- i mean, from the get-go that's contradicting Rev. 5
i do agree with the OP that there is significance in the description of 'lion' being absent in ch. 22, but the greater significance is going to be why 'lion' is present in Revelation 5, why 'root' is in both, and what 'root' and 'lion' and 'star' have to do with each other and with scrolls and testimonies, and with Christ. if we understood all those types it would be clear why it is perfect that He's called Lion of Judah in Revelation 5 but not in Revelation 22. because it is perfect. it's His word.
i certainly don't have all the answers and understanding yet to this. it's not going to be easy or simple -- here's a rough draft of a very much incomplete list of steps to sorting this out:
- figure out why 'Lion of Judah' in Revelation 5
- find all other mentions of lion in scripture
- which ones are testimonies of Christ, and how?
- how do they relate?
- understand the significance of Judah
- as tribe and as son
- how are they related to the typology of the lion?
- where is Judah related to a lion, how, and why?
- how does this relate to Christ?
- find all other instances of a scroll in scripture
- how are they related to Judah? to a lion? to Christ?
- other instances of being worthy/unworthy to open a scroll?
- figure out why John weeps in Revelation 5
- all other instances of weeping
- weeping with relation to no one being found worthy?
- being told not to weep?
- weeping in relation to scrolls, lions, Christ, triumph?
- figure out what it means that the Christ the Lion has triumphed?
- what does this have to do with being worthy to open a scroll?
- what does this have to do with typology of a lion?
- why is no one else worthy? no one else triumphed?
- find all other mentions of lion in scripture
- figure out why 'Root of David' in Revelation 5
- understand everything about David
- understand everything about roots
- understand everything about how this relates to lions, to scrolls, to worthiness, to weeping, to triumph, to Christ
- figure out the timeline -
- why does Revelation 5 come after chapters 1-4?
- why does Revelation 6-22 not come until after Revelation 5?
- repeat all these steps for Revelation 22 and all the types & words and setting and relationships found there
- figure out all the associations that match between Revelation 5 & 22
- figure out how all of this testifies of Christ
- put it all down together and find the pattern in the corresponding testimonies --
- what is the fullness of what Revelation 5 is saying about Christ?
- what is the fullness of what Revelation 22 is saying about Christ?
- what is the fullness of what 5 & 22 say about Him when juxtaposed?
this could take years to properly study out. there are basic understandings like, in Revelation 5 He's about to deal with sin and judge it, but by Revelation 22 in the vision the scroll was already opened. that's true but overly simplistic and shallow. there are mountains of knowledge of God behind this, oceans of understanding to be drawn from.
i really don't think the ultimate answer is going to be anything like "maybe He's not actually the Lion" -- i mean, from the get-go that's contradicting Rev. 5
i do agree with the OP that there is significance in the description of 'lion' being absent in ch. 22, but the greater significance is going to be why 'lion' is present in Revelation 5, why 'root' is in both, and what 'root' and 'lion' and 'star' have to do with each other and with scrolls and testimonies, and with Christ. if we understood all those types it would be clear why it is perfect that He's called Lion of Judah in Revelation 5 but not in Revelation 22. because it is perfect. it's His word.
What about, why do you think the elder calls Him the Root and Offspring of David in ch. 5, and in chapter 22 He calls Himself the Root of David, leaving off the offspring description?
Is there any significance to pairing the Lion with the Root and Offspring, and pairing the Morning Star with the Root?
like I said earlier it's not that He isn't these things and much more, but that the reasons are nuanced and complex.
I would expect, honestly, a person who is 'kjv-only' and often makes arguments about the extreme importance of the accuracy of every single word in the scripture to take the position that the exact names He is called by here have a great importance. I mean if the NIV had something different in one of these two verses wouldn't you argue about how significant the names are?
Is there any significance to pairing the Lion with the Root and Offspring, and pairing the Morning Star with the Root?
like I said earlier it's not that He isn't these things and much more, but that the reasons are nuanced and complex.
I would expect, honestly, a person who is 'kjv-only' and often makes arguments about the extreme importance of the accuracy of every single word in the scripture to take the position that the exact names He is called by here have a great importance. I mean if the NIV had something different in one of these two verses wouldn't you argue about how significant the names are?
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Since Christ is called "the Lion of the tribe of Judah" (Rev 5:5) it follows that He is also the descendant or "offspring of David" (who was from that tribe), and it was the tribe which would produce the kings of Israel according to Jacob's prophecy in Genesis 49 (see below), leading to King/Messiah.
Yes. Since the lion is regarded as the king of the beasts, the lion metaphor is used in this connection with Christ as King/Messiah from the tribe of Judah.
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 sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Messiah] come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. (Gen 49:9,10)
The "Morning Star" is a reference to the Christ who is the Light of the world, as well as the light of the Gospel.
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the Light shined. (Isa 9:1,2) [Note: this is quoted in the Gospel of Matthew 4:13-16]
As to the "Root of David" it refers to the fact that God brought the tribe of Judah into existence when Christ blessed Jacob and called him "Israel" (a prince with God and men). Then God chose David out of all the sons to Jesse to be king over Israel. Thus David has His *root* or origin in Christ, yet Christ is also His offspring. This anomaly is addressed in Matthew 22.
MATTHEW 22
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him,The Son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any manfrom that day forth ask him any more questions.
Yes. Since the lion is regarded as the king of the beasts, the lion metaphor is used in this connection with Christ as King/Messiah from the tribe of Judah.
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 sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh [Messiah] come; and unto Him shall the gathering of the people be. (Gen 49:9,10)
The "Morning Star" is a reference to the Christ who is the Light of the world, as well as the light of the Gospel.
Nevertheless the dimness shall not be such as was in her vexation, when at the first he lightly afflicted the land of Zebulun and the land of Naphtali, and afterward did more grievously afflict her by the way of the sea, beyond Jordan, in Galilee of the nations. The people that walked in darkness have seen a great Light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the Light shined. (Isa 9:1,2) [Note: this is quoted in the Gospel of Matthew 4:13-16]
As to the "Root of David" it refers to the fact that God brought the tribe of Judah into existence when Christ blessed Jacob and called him "Israel" (a prince with God and men). Then God chose David out of all the sons to Jesse to be king over Israel. Thus David has His *root* or origin in Christ, yet Christ is also His offspring. This anomaly is addressed in Matthew 22.
MATTHEW 22
41 While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,
42 Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him,The Son of David.
43 He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
44 The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
45 If David then call him Lord, how is he his son?
46 And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any manfrom that day forth ask him any more questions.
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Please review Luke 4 and what JESUS says regarding the prophecy of Isaiah 61..
HE stops midpoint before Änd the day of vengeance of our GOD¨ and hands back the book and declares HIS present ministry; a ministry of reconciliation by saying:
Today scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
HE stops midpoint before Änd the day of vengeance of our GOD¨ and hands back the book and declares HIS present ministry; a ministry of reconciliation by saying:
Today scripture is fulfilled in your hearing.
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I should have been clearer...when the last one who belongs to HIM/ the full number in CHRIST is complete, then will HE put the last of HIS enemies under HIM. But until then, this is HIS ministry as THE LAMB of GOD redeeming and reconciling by HIS BLOOD those who will believe and be saved...
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so IOW you're saying, ((let me know if i have this right))
in Revelation 22 He declares He Himself gives this revelation, and representative of His work of holding out the offer of redemption towards mankind at the present time He appears as both the Root & the Offspring of David and the Dawnstar --
but in Revelation 5, which is part of the vision of the things which must come to pass, the elder speaking to John telling him not to weep calls Christ the Lion of Judah and the Root of David -- ?
so [Root] + [Lion] is signifying He is the LORD Almighty who judges the quick and the dead? in the vision worthy to open the scroll whose seals are judgement.
and [Root] + [Offspring] signifying both LORD and Christ, the Savior and Salvation of mankind redeeming a people from every nation from sin? and is this the significance of 'Daystar' -- the bright Light that shines in the darkness? even salvation from the judgement to come, described in the preceding 18 chapters or so.
in Revelation 22 He declares He Himself gives this revelation, and representative of His work of holding out the offer of redemption towards mankind at the present time He appears as both the Root & the Offspring of David and the Dawnstar --
but in Revelation 5, which is part of the vision of the things which must come to pass, the elder speaking to John telling him not to weep calls Christ the Lion of Judah and the Root of David -- ?
so [Root] + [Lion] is signifying He is the LORD Almighty who judges the quick and the dead? in the vision worthy to open the scroll whose seals are judgement.
and [Root] + [Offspring] signifying both LORD and Christ, the Savior and Salvation of mankind redeeming a people from every nation from sin? and is this the significance of 'Daystar' -- the bright Light that shines in the darkness? even salvation from the judgement to come, described in the preceding 18 chapters or so.
Not to change the topic but my understanding of the him being the "Bright Morning Star" is that Jesus is claiming to be an angel since scripture often refers to angels as stars. A "Morning Star" is a kind of angel and Jesus being the "Bright" Morning Star is a reference to him being the greatest of all angels and the ONLY "Bright" one of all other Morning Stars.
Hello @RevelationMan, angels are created beings, the Lord Jesus is the Creator .. John 1:1-4, 14; Colossians 1:15-17; Hebrews 1:1-9.
Bright and Morning Star. This is the brightest star announcing the arrival of the day. When Jesus comes, He will be the brightest star who will shatter the darkness of man’s night and herald the dawn of God’s glorious day. John later reveals Christ to be “the morning star.” Although the morning star has already dawned in our hearts (2 Pet. 1:19), someday we will have Him in His fullness. ~MacArthur J., Jr.
~Deut
Bright and Morning Star. This is the brightest star announcing the arrival of the day. When Jesus comes, He will be the brightest star who will shatter the darkness of man’s night and herald the dawn of God’s glorious day. John later reveals Christ to be “the morning star.” Although the morning star has already dawned in our hearts (2 Pet. 1:19), someday we will have Him in His fullness. ~MacArthur J., Jr.
~Deut
Colossians 2
9 In Him all the fullness of Deity dwells in bodily form.
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I would add .
The "bright" and morning star and not just morning star . Speaks to the combined glory of the father unseen as the bright or source of power and Jesus a reflection of that power. No night needed to represent evil in the new.
Its the end of time. No need for a temple these bodies of death to house the Holy Spirit who works in them we have received our glorious new incorruptible
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there .Revelation 21: 22-25
The "bright" and morning star and not just morning star . Speaks to the combined glory of the father unseen as the bright or source of power and Jesus a reflection of that power. No night needed to represent evil in the new.
Its the end of time. No need for a temple these bodies of death to house the Holy Spirit who works in them we have received our glorious new incorruptible
And I saw no temple therein: for the Lord God Almighty and the Lamb are the temple of it. And the city had no need of the sun, neither of the moon, to shine in it: for the glory of God did lighten it, and the Lamb is the light thereof. And the nations of them which are saved shall walk in the light of it: and the kings of the earth do bring their glory and honour into it. And the gates of it shall not be shut at all by day: for there shall be no night there .Revelation 21: 22-25
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