The Image of the Lion in Revelation

Revelation Chapter 5

Revelation Chapter 5 is a continuation of the vision that John saw in Chapter 4, where he saw a door opened in heaven and a voice calling him up to see things that would happen in the future. In Chapter 5, John sees a scroll in the right hand of God, sealed with seven seals. An angel asks who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals, but no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth is found worthy. John weeps, but one of the elders tells him to stop crying because the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed and is able to open the scroll.

The image of the Lion of the tribe of Judah comes from Isaiah Chapter 11, which describes a ruler who will come from the line of Jesse, the father of King David. This ruler will have the Spirit of the Lord upon him, and he will judge the earth with righteousness and justice. He will also be a sign to the nations, and his resting place will be glorious. This prophecy was fulfilled in Jesus, who was born in the line of David and who received the Spirit of the Lord at his baptism. Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah who triumphed over sin and death through his death and resurrection. He is also the Lamb—and thus the lion and the lamb lie down together in Christ.

John 1:29 also refers to Jesus as the Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world. This title is significant because it connects Jesus to the sacrificial system in the Old Testament, where lambs were offered as atonement for sin. Jesus is the ultimate sacrifice, who gave his life for the sins of the world. In Revelation Chapter 5, the Lamb who was slain is the one who is worthy to open the scroll and break its seals. This shows that Jesus has the power and authority to bring about the events that are described in the scroll.

As the Lamb takes the scroll from the right hand of God, the four living creatures and the 24 elders fall down before him and worship him. They sing a new song, saying, "You are worthy to take the scroll and to open its seals, because you were slain, and with your blood you purchased for God persons from every tribe and language and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign on the earth" (Revelation 5:9-10). This song acknowledges the Lamb's worthiness to open the scroll because of his sacrificial death, which made it possible for people from all nations to be reconciled to God and to become part of his kingdom.

The scene in Revelation Chapter 5 emphasizes the power and authority of Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Lamb of God. He is the only one who is worthy to open the scroll and bring about the events that will lead to the establishment of God's kingdom on earth. The vision also shows the worship and adoration that Jesus receives from the heavenly beings, who recognize his worthiness and his role in the redemption of humanity. The lion is kingly in stature and power.