Why is Christ called “The Lion of the tribe of Judah”?

And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda[h], the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Rev 5:5)

PART I
This appellation for Christ occurs only once in Scripture, and we generally accept it without much further investigation. But everything that is said about Christ in Scripture is significant from God’s perspective, who has given His Son all power and authority in Heaven and on earth. So the question arises as to why God chose the tribe of Judah to receive such renown, and what does this title actually mean?

Judah was born to Leah with Jacob as the father, but Jacob did not even love Leah to begin with. So we see the grace of God right here. That the unloved wife had children before Rachel (whom he loved): And when the LORD saw that Leah was hated, he opened her womb: but Rachel was barren. (Gen 29:31) And Judah was not even the firstborn of Leah. It was Reuben, followed by Simeon and Levi, after which Judah was born.

Again we see the grace of God in not selecting the firstborn to be the ancestor of Christ. But Leah named Judah with a special name – Yehuda – which means “praised” or “God be praised”. And she conceived again, and bare a son: and she said, Now will I praise the LORD: therefore she called his name Judah; and left bearing. (Gen 29:35) This was prophetic since the tribe of Judah would be elevated by God in spite of the sins and failures of Judah, David, and Solomon. This again shows the grace and mercy of God towards sinners.

Did Judah sin grievously? Yes he did. Firstly he married a Canaanite woman against the commandments of God, and then he had sexual relations with his daughter-in-law Tamar. But after that Judah said that she was more righteous than him, and he was right. He had not done the right thing by her by denying her one of his other sons. As a result she bore Pharez, the ancestor of David (Ruth 4:18-22), even though Pharez should not have been born before his twin brother Zarah. Since Pharez was the ancestor of Boaz, who married Ruth, a Moabitess (Ruth 1:4), once again we see the grace of God on display. He allowed a Gentile woman to become a part of the line of Christ, as well as Tamar who was not the lawful wife of Judah.

But then Judah tried (only partially) to do the right thing by Joseph, since his others brothers wanted to kill him. Judah helped to send Joseph into slavery (which was coincidentally a part of God’s plan to preserve the Israelites): And Judah said unto his brethren, What profit is it if we slay our brother, and conceal his blood? Come, and let us sell him to the Ishmeelites, and let not our hand be upon him; for he is our brother and our flesh. And his brethren were content. (Gen 37:26,27)

But then Judah was allowed to take the lead in dealing with Joseph, after Joseph was the virtual ruler of Egypt. Judah offered to become surety for Benjamin, but that became unnecessary, since Jospeh revealed himself to his brethren, and embraced Bejamin and the others. Eventually the Israelites settled and flourished in the land of Goshen in Egypt.

Later on, when Jacob was on his deathbed, he spoke prophetically about Judah (Gen 49:8-10), and predicted the coming of Messiah – Shiloh – the Lord Jesus Christ through the tribe of Judah: Judah, thou art he whom thy brethren shall praise: thy hand shall be in the neck of thine enemies; thy father's children shall bow down before thee. 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 Shi loh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.

What did he mean? A lion’s whelp is a young lion who has always been protected by his mother, and never experienced any attacks. Therefore he is bold and fearless. But the Lord Jesus Christ endured all the attacks of Satan and His own enemies, and yet He was victorious over sin, death, Hades, Hell, and Satan. The sceptre is a symbol of royal authority and Christ has the sceptre of being the King of kings and the Lord of lords. “Unto Him shall the gathering of the people be” speaks of the countless numbers who will be in Heaven because they believed on the Lord Jesus Christ.

PART II
Now Christ is the Lion of the tribe of Judah (and also “the root of David”), therefore we must trace His descent from Adam through Judah and David. So what we have in Scripture are the following ancestors of Christ: Adam, Seth, Noah, Shem, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Judah, Boaz, Jesse, David, Solomon and Nathan, and finally Jesus of Nazareth, the King of the Jews. Again we see the grace of God in action, since God did not select the oldest son of Jesse to become king of Israel. It was David who was a man after God’s own heart (in spite of his sins and failures) and it was David to whom the blueprint of the temple in Jerusalem was given. But it was his son Solomon who was actually allowed to build that temple.

David was promised an eternal throne, and that will become a reality after the Second Coming of Christ and the establishment of His Millennial Kingdom. Christ will be King over redeemed and restored Israel (the twelve tribes) and David will be prince over Israel under Christ (see the prophecies of Ezekiel). At the same time, the twelve apostles (including Paul) will sit on twelve thrones judging the twelve tribes of Israel. This is what Christ promised them.

Because Christ’s birth was prophesied by the hireling prophet Balaam, the wise men (magi) from the East came all the way to Jerusalem to find “Where is who is born King of the Jews?”. What they had read before in the Torah was in Numbers 24:18,19: I shall see him, but not now: I shall behold him, but not nigh: there shall come a Star out of Jacob, and a Sceptre shall rise out of Israel, and shall smite the corners of Moab, and destroy all the children of Sheth…. Out of Jacob shall come he that shall have dominion, and shall destroy him that remaineth of the city. So they saw His star in the east and traveled many miles, so Gentiles worshipped Him first.

They did find Him in Bethlehem and they offered Him costly gifts. And the prophecy which directed them to Christ was found in Micah 5:2,4: But thou, Bethlehem Ephratah, though thou be little among the thousands of Judah, yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting…And he shall stand and feed in the strength of the LORD, in the majesty of the name of the LORD his God; and they shall abide: for now shall he be great unto the ends of the earth.

Thus Christ has prevailed in order to open that sealed book and give us “the Revelation of Jesus Christ” which is the final prophetic book in the Bible. Christ will be the Lion of the tribe of Judah because just as the lion is the king of beasts, Christ will establish His Kingdom and His dominion over all the earth (Daniel 7:9.10.13.14):

I beheld till the thrones were cast down, and the Ancient of days did sit, whose garment was white as snow, and the hair of his head like the pure wool: his throne was like the fiery flame, and his wheels as burning fire. A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened….I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of Man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.

“David was promised an eternal throne, and that will become a reality after the Second Coming of Christ”

“Therefore ( David ) being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear. For David is not ascended into the heavens to sit in a throne ) but he saith himself, The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, Until I make thy foes thy footstool. Therefore let all the house of Israel know assuredly, that God hath made that same Jesus, whom ye have crucified, both Lord and Christ.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:30, 32-36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jesus is on the throne promised to Davids descendant at Gods right hand in heaven

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand,”

No. That is a misunderstanding.

David's throne is not is Heaven, even though that verse appears to say it. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne. (see Ps 132:11). 2 Sam 7:12-17 shows that it is really about Solomon, but the throne would be eternal under Christ (since Solomon forfeited it through his idolatry).
The point of this verse was to speak about the resurrection of Christ, and that He would eventually ascend to sit on His throne in Heaven. So in what sense would Christ sit on David's throne through Solomon? It was in the sense that only Christ would have the right to that eternal throne. What is not mentioned here or in the OT passages is mentioned in Ezekiel. That David would be prince over Israel eternally, and therefore have his throne. But Christ would be King over David, Israel (and the whole world) on His own eternal throne.

6. Now, as our Lord Jesus Christ, who is also God, was prophesied of under the figure of a lion, on account of His royalty and glory, in the same way have the Scriptures also aforetime spoken of Antichrist as a lion, on account of his tyranny and violence. For the deceiver seeks to liken himself in all things to the Son of God. Christ is a lion, so Antichrist is also a lion; Christ is a king,John 18:37 so Antichrist is also a king. The Saviour was manifested as a lamb; John 1:29 so he too, in like manner, will appear as a lamb, though within he is a wolf. The Saviour came into the World in the circumcision, and he will come in the same manner. The Lord sent apostles among all the nations, and he in like manner will send false apostles. The Saviour gathered together the sheep that were scattered abroad, and he in like manner will bring together a people that is scattered abroad. The Lord gave a seal to those who believed on Him, and he will give one like manner. The Saviour appeared in the form of man, and he too will come in the form of a man. The Saviour raised up and showed His holy flesh like a temple, John 2:19 and he will raise a temple of stone in Jerusalem. Hippoyltus

Christ is the fulfillment of all those promises in the Old Testament David was who the promise was made to this promise

“Now therefore so shalt thou say unto my servant David, Thus saith the LORD of hosts, I took thee from the sheepcote, from following the sheep, to be ruler over my people, over Israel: and I was with thee whithersoever thou wentest, and have cut off all thine enemies out of thy sight, and have made thee a great name, like unto the name of the great men that are in the earth.

Moreover I will appoint a place for my people Israel, and will plant them, that they may dwell in a place of their own, and move no more; ( this is after he had given them the land he’s saying he will make them a place that’s safe ) neither shall the children of wickedness afflict them any more, as beforetime, and as since the time that I commanded judges to be over my people Israel, and have caused thee to rest from all thine enemies.

Also the LORD telleth thee that he will make thee an house. And when thy days be fulfilled, and thou shalt sleep with thy fathers, I will set up thy seed after thee, which shall proceed out of thy bowels, and I will establish his kingdom.

He shall build an house for my name, and I will stablish the throne of his kingdom for ever….
‭‭2 Samuel‬ ‭7:8-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Solomon then Became king and his son ect notice however thier kingdoms and rule and thrones always perished and crumbled so this was never fulfilled until the promised son of David the eternal king , Jesus Christ came forth.

“The book of the generation of Jesus Christ, the son of David,( the heir of David’s promised kingdom ) the son of Abraham.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

he cane forth announcing the time has come

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

remember what he told David ? I’m going to make a place for my people where no evil will hurt them anymore like before ? I’m going to build you a house now ? And give an eternal kingdom to your son ?

“Jesus ( the son of David ) answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, (which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh;”
‭‭Romans‬ ‭1:1-3‬ ‭KJV‬‬

When Jesus was taken up into heaven it fulfilled the promises to david cinder kng the eternal Kingdom his son would sit on the throne of forever david was a prophet , Solomon was a pattern of Christ who would fulfill the promise of the eternal king through David’s line

This really tells us here

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; he seeing this before spake of the resurrection of Christ, that his soul was not left in hell, neither his flesh did see corruption. This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:29-33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The earthly kingdom is doomed david is part of the new heaven and earth and will be raised from the dead with all believers

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up. ( David’s eternal kingdom gonna be destroyed with fire or ?)

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:10, 13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God has made a place for believers we just haven’t seen it yet

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country…. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:13-14, 16‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the kingdom is in heaven will appear after Jesus destroys this earth with fire

So, can you tell us how Christ has already fulfilled Ezek 40-48?

Yeah Ezekiel is seeing a vision of the same heavenly city John sees when he’s taken up into heaven the heavenly Jerusalem. Where the messiah the promised son of David , would sit in the throne.


Ezekiel is seeing a prophetic distant vision of what is revealed to John in revelation the new heaven and earth

“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. And he said unto me, Son of man, hast thou seen this? Then he brought me, and caused me to return to the brink of the river. Now when I had returned, behold, at the bank of the river were very many trees on the one side and on the other. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed. And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:1, 6-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. And there shall be no more curse: but the throne of God and of the Lamb shall be in it; and his servants shall serve him: and they shall see his face; and his name shall be in their foreheads.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:1-4‬ ‭KJV‬‬



ezekeil is seeing a prophetic vision of this revealed later after this world is destroyed

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God, having the glory of God: and her light was like unto a stone most precious, even like a jasper stone, clear as crystal; and had a wall great and high, and had twelve gates, and at the gates twelve angels, and names written thereon, which are the names of the twelve tribes of the children of Israel: on the east three gates; on the north three gates; on the south three gates; and on the west three gates. And the wall of the city had twelve foundations, and in them the names of the twelve apostles of the Lamb. And the twelve gates were twelve pearls; every several gate was of one pearl: and the street of the city was pure gold, as it were transparent glass. 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. And they shall bring the glory and honour of the nations into it.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1-2, 10-14, 21-26‬ ‭

Ezekiel is take up to see this city that’s not on this earth

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”

Thats what this was about

“In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:10‬ ‭

Ezekiel was seeing the same things with less revelation

all the prophets were foretelling Jesus and his kingdom that kingdom is inHeaven it’s not on earth man cirsed the earth to doom

“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24:5, 20‬ ‭KJV‬‬


The messiah is who fulfills the promises to Abraham concerning his son , to David concerning his son , to Israel concerning thier king and kingdom ect

“Repent ye therefore, and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out, when the times of refreshing shall come from the presence of the Lord; and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.

… Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:19-21, 24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the problem with israel was that they also looked for some other form of answer and fulfillment but in Christ God fulfills his promises. The kingdom is here

“And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

At the end of the world and beginning of a new

“And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Jerusalem is in heaven where David’s promised son the messiah sits on the throne

You are making up your own scenario. That is NOT a heavenly city at all. but that is redeemed and restored Jerusalem on earth. So kindly go and study the prophecies of Ezekiel. And rightly divide the Word of Truth.

Brother anytime someone disagrees with you you revert to the same things

Ezekiel

“In the visions of God brought he me into the land of Israel, and set me upon a very high mountain, by which was as the frame of a city on the south.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭40:2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John

“And he carried me away in the spirit to a great and high mountain, and shewed me that great city, the holy Jerusalem, descending out of heaven from God,”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:10‬ ‭

ezekiel

“Afterward he brought me again unto the door of the house; and, behold, waters issued out from under the threshold of the house eastward: for the forefront of the house stood toward the east, and the waters came down from under from the right side of the house, at the south side of the altar. Then said he unto me, These waters issue out toward the east country, and go down into the desert, and go into the sea: which being brought forth into the sea, the waters shall be healed.

And it shall come to pass, that every thing that liveth, which moveth, whithersoever the rivers shall come, shall live: and there shall be a very great multitude of fish, because these waters shall come thither: for they shall be healed; and every thing shall live whither the river cometh.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:1, 8-9‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And by the river upon the bank thereof, on this side and on that side, shall grow all trees for meat, whose leaf shall not fade, neither shall the fruit thereof be consumed: it shall bring forth new fruit according to his months, because their waters they issued out of the sanctuary: and the fruit thereof shall be for meat, and the leaf thereof for medicine.”
‭‭Ezekiel‬ ‭47:12‬ ‭KJV‬‬


John

“And he shewed me a pure river of water of life, clear as crystal, proceeding out of the throne of God and of the Lamb. ( Ezekiel saw outside the door John is inside it )

In the midst of the street of it, and on either side of the river, was there the tree of life, which bare twelve manner of fruits, and yielded her fruit every month: and the leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭22:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

hebrews

“but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:22-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“These all died in faith, not having received the promises, but having seen them afar off, and were persuaded of them, and embraced them, and confessed that they were strangers and pilgrims on the earth. ( because that’s not the kingdom)


For they that say such things declare plainly that they seek a country. But now they desire a better country, that is, an heavenly: wherefore God is not ashamed to be called their God: for he hath prepared for them a city.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭11:13-14, 16‬ ‭

Peter

“and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. …..Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”( the days when Jesus ascended to the throne )
‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:20-21, 24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

peter

“Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne; ( David’s throne ) This Jesus hath God raised up, whereof we all are witnesses. Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:29-30, 32-

It doesn’t seem made up by me it seems like it’s consistently found in scripture.

David’s son is on the throne already god has been talking about the kingdom for a very long time

It's difficult; because some things are the same, and some things are parallel typology.

There are a few problems with Ezek40-48 being one and the same as Rev's "New heavens/new earth"; which is why some people think it is a literal 1000 year reign that precedes the burning with fire.

Not only do people still die in the time discussed in Ezekiel; but there is a prince that makes offerings for his own sin in a temple... Jesus is the Temple of Rev's New Jerusalem; and he certainly has no sin. (I don't necessarily agree that prince is David, though).

Ezekiel references a "new heaven/new earth"; so I think the cosmic changes described in the tribulation are what makes it a "new" but it still gets purged by fire at the end; because there is a rebellion after the 1000 years.

yeah people have many theories on what they think the Bible says. I suppose that’s why we have such things as discussion forums brother.

consider this statement that’s repetetive

“He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:32‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“For all the prophets and the law prophesied until John.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭11:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Think not that I am come to destroy the law, or the prophets: I am not come to destroy, but to fulfil.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭5:17‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“Yea, and all the prophets from Samuel and those that follow after, as many as have spoken, have likewise foretold of these days.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“and he shall send Jesus Christ, which before was preached unto you: whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭3:20-21‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Do you see where I’m going with this ?
all of the ot prophecies regarding the promised king and eternal kingdom come down to Jesus fulfilling them

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him. And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭

“Hereafter shall the Son of man sit on the right hand of the power of God.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭22:69‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“In my Father's house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for you, I will come again, and receive you unto myself; that where I am, there ye may be also.”
‭‭John‬ ‭14:2-3‬ ‭

“And when he had spoken these things, while they beheld, he was taken up; and a cloud received him out of their sight. And while they looked stedfastly toward heaven as he went up, behold, two men stood by them in white apparel;”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭1:9-10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Men and brethren, let me freely speak unto you of the patriarch David, that he is both dead and buried, and his sepulchre is with us unto this day. Therefore being a prophet, and knowing that God had sworn with an oath to him, that of the fruit of his loins, according to the flesh, he would raise up Christ to sit on his throne;

Therefore being by the right hand of God exalted, and having received of the Father the promise of the Holy Ghost, he hath shed forth this, which ye now see and hear.”
‭‭Acts‬ ‭2:29-30, 33‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“To him that overcometh will I grant to sit with me in my throne, even as I also overcame, and am set down with my Father in his throne.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭3:21‬ ‭KJV‬‬


If we can hear this

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

This

“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left. The earth shall reel to and fro like a drunkard, and shall be removed like a cottage; and the transgression thereof shall be heavy upon it; and it shall fall, and not rise again.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24:5-6, 20‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And then also this word of faith and promise

“For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth:

and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.

But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭65:17-18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.

But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.

Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:7, 10, 13‬ ‭KJV‬‬


“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.

And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

God had prepared a kingdom in heaven that will eventually fill the new earth Jesus is already on the throne all tbose prophets were foretelling the things he fulfilled in the nt

The nt prophets foretold also things yet to be fulfilled none of them ever says a word about David returning to riegn for a thousand years or Christ returning to reign on earth for a thousand years it says in the end jesus will return from heaven , raise all the dead , save his people destroy the earth with terrible fire , and usher in the kingdom of God where heaven and earth are one and God walks among us when things from both testaments are finally are fulfilled

The Bible’s design is a testement of prophecy and promise and then a testament of revelation of its fulfillment in Christ

Its why they all keep saying “ the prophets were foretelling Jesus and his kingdom these days of the Gospel now repent and believe and be saved from the end that is near

If you have read Ezekiel’s whole book and noticed what is being said and shown it makes it much clearer notice how God says Israel and Judah have sinned so greatly and committed such terrible abominations that his glory was departing from them ? A few chapters are spent describing Israel’s abominations and then notice Ezekiel is snatched by his hair by the spirit nd carried up high above the earth following the glory of God which is lifted up by the cherubim the one like a man that’s seen on the throne I’ve the firmament ?

ezekiel is taken up into the temple of heaven where the messiah would enter in through the sealed off Gate to the east .

ezekiel sees also the river of life flowing out from underneath the closed inner doors of the house of the lord and John sees the inner room so he sees the waters source flowing out from the throne of the lamb

Ezekiel also sees on both sides of the river like John the trees of life bearing twelve types of fruits and leaves fornthe healings ofnthe nations the fruits will
Never cease or run short

the Old Testament is like a foreshadowing or an earthly figure and pattern of the new testement fulfillment

exekiel like Daniel and zechariah and Isaiah and those men were looking forth and foreseeing the kingdom of God tbat was coming Jesus is when it came


“The law and the prophets were ( prophesied ) until John: since that time the kingdom of God is preached, and every man presseth into it.”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭16:16‬ ‭

“Now after that John was put in prison, Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent ye, and believe the gospel.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭1:14-15‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Israel’s only salvetion os also the gospel there is t an earthly Israeli kingdom or temple coming to save thier covenant that’s what Jesus came to do save those souls from the curse of their covenant breaking and offer a new covenant a new creation and eternal life salvetion from the destruction of the world ahead of us

“If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.”
‭‭Colossians‬ ‭3:1-2‬ ‭

And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.

That's rev. 20, right after the beast and false prophet are thrown into the lake of fire.
Not departing from them... but departing from the temple and going toward the east to what is probably the mount of olives.

He says the spirit took him to the land of Israel- not heaven; and he specifies that the Israelites are supposed to learn the dimensions of the temple; which is huge, but nothing on the scale of the New Jerusalem.

I agree that their only salvation is the gospel... but when you say that Jesus is never going to restore the kingdom to Israel... that's just not biblical... and it's not about "saving their covenant" which doesn't need saving. The old covenant is fulfilled and superseded by the new.

Surely you don't think he is saying we should not look forward to a new earth, when he says "not on earthly things". Even the "things above" he is referring to: service, brotherly love et. al. take place on earth.

Wait; so, if Jesus is the Lion; then who is the Donkey of Judah?

“And I saw the souls of those who had been beheaded for their testimony of Jesus and for the word of God, and those who had not worshiped the beast or its image, and had not received its mark on their foreheads or hands. And they came to life and reigned with Christ for a thousand years.”

right watch what happened

“So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God.”
‭‭Mark‬ ‭16:19‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“and the graves were opened; and many bodies of the saints which slept arose, and came out of the graves after his resurrection, and went into the holy city, and appeared unto many.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭27:52-53‬ ‭KJV‬‬

watch what happens after the son of man is taken up to the throne in heaven

“And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and to his throne. ( jesusbos taken up to the throne of heaven see acts chaoter 2 )



And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. ( Christ is already riegn if on his throne in heaven and people are with him who have already died on earth but look at the earths state )


Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭12:5, 10-12‬ ‭

He’s already on the throne

“And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭28:18‬ ‭KJV‬‬

The earthly kingdom is cursed forever was taken away from Israel because they rejected their king and messiah the son of David


It was theirs but he took it away because they rejected his son the king thier savior

“Therefore say I unto you, The kingdom of God shall be taken from you, and given to a nation bringing forth the fruits thereof.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭21:43‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not! Behold, your house is left unto you desolate.”
‭‭Matthew‬ ‭23:37-38‬ ‭KJV‬‬

We aren’t looking forward to a kingdom in the Middle East on this earth that one’s been doomed to wrath for sin we are looking here to the kingdom and king


“but ye are come unto mount Sion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and to an innumerable company of angels, to the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, and to Jesus the mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”
‭‭Hebrews‬ ‭12:22-24‬ ‭KJV‬‬

You are looking at revelation as if it’s a literal book of doctrine and not a revelation of the scriptures beforhand . Revelation is a vision that’s showing a comprehensive look at the story of what’s happened since the beginning and up until the new things are manifest after this world is destroyed

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband. And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. And he that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And he said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1-5‬ ‭KJV‬‬

thats already in heaven we just can’t see it yet it will come in the end and re install creations order on a new a clean earth where he will dwell among us as king

he’s not refurbishing the old covenant he made a far better one that’s eternal

“Surely you don't think he is saying we should not look forward to a new earth,”

Are you reading my responses ? The earth we know now ……

“but the heavens and the earth, which are now, by the same word are kept in store, reserved unto fire against the day of judgment and perdition of ungodly men.( lake of fire)


(the new creation he’s been promising for so long )

…Nevertheless we, according to his promise, look for new heavens and a new earth, wherein dwelleth righteousness.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:7, 13‬ ‭KJV‬‬


there are two creations spoken of in the Bible this one

“In the beginning God created the heaven and the earth.”
‭‭Genesis‬ ‭1:1‬ ‭KJV‬‬

And then this is going to happen to that one when Jesus returns from heaven

“But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night; in the which the heavens shall pass away with a great noise, and the elements shall melt with fervent heat, the earth also and the works that are therein shall be burned up.”
‭‭2 Peter‬ ‭3:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

After this happens what is already in the new heaven the kingdom of God where Christ reigns with his people who were slain in service of God his fellow martyrs will come to a new earth

“And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭21:1-2‬ ‭KJV‬‬

do you see how Jerusalem was in heaven ? And how the kingdoms on earth are all destroyed ? But the last kingdom standing is the one promised to the sin of David

“I saw in the night visions, and, behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.

And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:13-14‬ ‭KJV‬‬

“And, behold, thou shalt conceive in thy womb, and bring forth a son, and shalt call his name JESUS. He shall be great, and shall be called the Son of the Highest: and the Lord God shall give unto him the throne of his father David:”
‭‭Luke‬ ‭1:31-32‬ ‭

That’s what we see in revelation 21-22
The new creation he promised not the one that was cursed by sin and destroyed

Look at daniels prophetic view then johns revelation of Christ Jesus receiving his kingdom

daniel sees this son of man being led into the presence of the throne with ten thousands of angels

“A fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: the judgment was set, and the books were opened.”
‭‭Daniel‬ ‭7:10‬ ‭KJV‬‬

John actually heard what three are saying as he’s being given the kingdom in Daniel there there’s a reason John says the specific number of angels it’s meant to bring us back to that prophecy of the kingdom

“And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into all the earth. And I beheld, and I heard the voice of many angels round about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb that was slain to receive power, and riches, and wisdom, and strength, and honour, and glory, and blessing.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:6, 11-12‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Daniel is seeing it from a distance
“fiery stream issued and came forth from before him: thousand thousands ministered unto him, and ten thousand times ten thousand stood before him: “

behold, one like the Son of man came with the clouds of heaven, and came to the Ancient of days, and they brought him near before him.”

“And there was given him dominion, and glory, and a kingdom, that all people, nations, and languages, should serve him: his dominion is an everlasting dominion, which shall not pass away, and his kingdom that which shall not be destroyed.”

john is up close and can here and see better

d about the throne and the beasts and the elders: and the number of them was ten thousand times ten thousand, and thousands of thousands; saying with a loud voice, Worthy is the Lamb

eternal doninion

“And every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb for ever and ever.”
‭‭Revelation‬ ‭5:13‬ ‭KJV‬‬

the whole Bible is actually about the gospel the kingdom of heaven in some way shape or form

“Jesus answered, My kingdom is not of this world: if my kingdom were of this world, then would my servants fight, that I should not be delivered to the Jews: but now is my kingdom not from hence.”
‭‭John‬ ‭18:36‬ ‭KJV‬‬

Its not about the oreeent earth we know it was cursed by the breaking of the old covenant

“The earth also is defiled under the inhabitants thereof; because they have transgressed the laws, changed the ordinance, broken the everlasting covenant. Therefore hath the curse devoured the earth, and they that dwell therein are desolate: therefore the inhabitants of the earth are burned, and few men left.”
‭‭Isaiah‬ ‭24:5-6‬ ‭

he’s promised a new creation he’s saving the people first innorder to fill the new one

Didn't I say that? I did. I'm not trying to argue that he's "refurbishing the old covenant" or that he wasn't caught up to heaven... or that any scripture you posted isn't true.

Peter said that that world perished in the flood- and the present one is reserved for fire. So, maybe there are at least 3.