Jesus Christ: Lamb of God, Lion of Judah

The book of Revelation is a great and majestic consummation of Scripture. In a sense, it can be looked upon as the conclusion to Genesis. As Genesis is the book of first things, Revelation is the book of last things.

The recipient and penman of Revelation is the beloved disciple of Jesus, John, who is also credited with writing the Gospel and three epistles bearing his name. Even though John was the literal writer of Revelation, its true author, as we discover in Revelation 1:1 is God. God the Father communicated the revelation to Christ the Son; Christ sent and signified it by His angel Gabriel to His servant John.

Revelation was not written to any specific person or any particular church or for any particular time period. It is for all of us who claim to be “His servants.” The purpose of Revelation is indicated in its prologue. It was written to show us the things that must “soon come to pass.” God’s people are encouraged to endurance and faithfulness by the vision of the final overthrow of evil and God’s eternal triumph of righteousness and justice.

With this overview, let us look at a few key verses.

Then one of the elders said to me, "Do not weep! See, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed. He is able to open the scroll and its seven seals." Then I saw a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. He had seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Revelation 5:5-6.

The first thing we notice in this pericope is that one of the elders called Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” and John saw Christ as “a Lamb, looking as if it had been slain.” Do not miss the contrast. Jesus is described as a Lamb and as a Lion.

Now, the lamb is a very innocent and harmless creature. It is meek and patient, bearing wrongs inflicted upon it by other animals. It never seeks revenge. When taken to the slaughter, the lamb does not cry, complain or struggle. It is very contented wherever it is. The shepherd may put the lamb in whatever posture he pleases and the lamb will not grumble. In comparison to most other cattle and beasts of the field, the lamb is a small animal. Under the Old Testament law, the lamb without blemish was killed for the sins of the people. It was offered up to make atonement for sinful humanity.

The prophet Isaiah, years before Christ’s birth, referred to our Savior as a Lamb. When He came, John called Him, the Lamb of God Who takes away the sins of the world. Jesus came into this world based so low as to be born of a poor virgin, clothed in cheap pieces of cloth, and lain in an animal’s trough. He lived in the little hill city of Nazareth with humble parents and in impoverished conditions. All while He visited this earth, He had no place to lay His head. Coming into this world was not a pleasure trip for Jesus Christ. He came seeking men who were lost. He came seeking you and me. He took upon Himself the form of and lived in the flesh. He was of a sweet, quiet and harmless disposition. He came as a lamb for the slaughter. One to be sacrificed, to spill His blood, to atone for the sins of the world.

We were ungodly and unfriendly towards our Savior. We did not love Him and were enemies to righteousness. He was despised in the eyes of the great heroes of earth. Evil and cruel men continually pestered and plotted against Him. Yet, our Lord with a meek and patient humility bore all those mean and vicious wrongs perpetrated against Him. Even still, in our ungodliness and wickedness, He loved us and volunteered to die for our sins.

Christ was forced to walk from Pilate’s judgment hall to Calvary. He was as humble as a lamb. He was as silent as a lamb. As Isaiah prophesied, “He will not shout or cry out, or raise his voice in the streets.” Isaiah 42:2. He submitted as a lamb brought to the slaughter. He laid down upon the cross without resistance. He bore the excruciating pain of the spikes driven through His wrists and ankles without complaining, without resisting the executioners. Jesus hung upon the old rugged cross until He died and never accused a single soul. Christ, the Lamb of God, is our only sacrifice. He was a Lamb without blemish, no spot or stain of sin tainted Him. He was offered up to make atonement for the sins of His people. After completing His atoning and expiating work, Jesus arose from the dead and led His disciples out from Jerusalem to Bethany and from there returned to glory in heaven. But before His ascension, Jesus left word that He would be returning. John, in his vision heard the voice of many angels singing, "Worthy is the Lamb, who was slain, to receive power and wealth and wisdom and strength and honor and glory and praise!" Revelation 5:12.

Yet, one of the elders called Christ, “the Lion of the tribe of Judah” The Lion took the Book which contained the judgments of God and which was bound with seven seals and opened it. Then, punishment indescribable began to be poured out upon the people. That lamb-like disposition that Christ possessed in the redemption work was replaced with the vicious disposition of a lion in the work of judgment.

The lion is a fierce, ferocious, and fearless animal, particularly when provoked by an enemy. He has a vociferous and terrifying voice and when he roars, all beasts tremble. They love their young and will stand invincible against all who threaten them, never yielding until death so that their young might be safe.

So it is with Christ, when He is aroused by the enemies of His Church and the cries of His people. He will rise up like a lion to destroy. When Jesus speaks at the last day and come to judge, He will make the whole world tremble. Joel makes this clear in 3:16, “The LORD will roar from Zion and thunder from Jerusalem; the earth and the sky will tremble.” Christ is coming again and He is coming to judge.

John tells us that a diligent search was made in heaven, on earth, and under the earth for someone worthy to loose the judgments of God upon the people. Only He Who had suffered to redeem us was worthy. As Jesus took the Book, the redeemed fell down before Him and began to sing. Christ opens the seals one by one and death and hell followed: famine, war, wild beasts, bloodshed and demons from hell covered the earth. Stars fell from heaven, Islands disappeared, mountains moved out of their places, the sun turned black and moon turned blood red. Kings and the great, popular, and powerful people of earth sought refuge under rocks and mountains because they could not bear to look upon the face of Jesus.

In the last day, which the Old Testament prophets referred to as “The Day of the Lord,” there will be such tribulation as the world has never seen or could ever conceive. For the sinner who ignore God and refuse to confess Christ Jesus, the Day of Judgment will be “The Day of the Lion.”

The lion as described in Scripture is not only strong, but he is one of the most venomous and unmerciful enemies of man. He is the semblance of vengeance and judgment. The lion has no mercy. He will pounce on any victim and tear him to pieces with his strong paws and teeth. The lion do not typically regard the innocent child, the loving mother, the aged, the crippled, the rich, the poor.

In our world and in our society, the accused have a chance of escaping justice before the courts of the land. A false witness, a well-trained lawyer, a dishonest or misunderstanding jury, or a misinformed, crooked judge may set free the guiltiest criminal. But not so with God. In God’s court, all will be brought to God’s ultimate and final justice. There is no way of escape. As surely as God lives, all men will be brought to perfect justice. Every knee will bow, every tongue will confess, and everyone will give an account of himself to God. There will be no forfeiting of bonds, no breaking out of jail; no payoffs because the God in whom we serve will at last, carry out true justice.

Well, Christ is coming again. In the last chapter of Revelation, Jesus tells us not once, but three times of His return. The repetition indicates emphasis.

Verse 7: "Behold, I am coming soon! Blessed is he who keeps the words of the prophecy in this book."

Verse 12: "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done.

Verse 20: "Yes, I am coming soon."

In the judgment, Christ will have the nature of a lion, unmerciful and fierce. At a tremendous cost, God provided redemption for men who showed no love for Him or interest in our own welfare. God gave His Son and His Son gave His life. The Gospel has been preached and the Light of the world is still shining. We are still living in the days of God’s grace and mercy when we can decide our own course to follow. Christ still possesses that lamb-like disposition. He is loving, merciful and forgiving. He invites the sinner to come to Him and be saved. The decision is still left with each one of us.

Be warned, “The Great Day of the Lion” is coming soon.