Wednesday, September 17, 2025
Tonight’s Study, Session 32: Lion of the Tribe of Judah
Introduction: Only once in the New Testament is Jesus described as a lion. The book of Revelation (name in part for what it reveals about Christ) portrays the risen Jesus as the only one worthy to open the scroll that contains the ultimate unfolding of God’s purposes for the world.
The apostle John perceived Jesus as both Lion and Lamb, who through His death and resurrection becomes the ultimate victor and conqueror. We pray to the one with the power to banish all fear, to the one who watches over us with His fierce protecting love. We are praying to the one who is judge of the living and the dead.
The key Scripture where the name Lion of the tribe of Judah is found is in Revelation 5: 4–5.
The Origin of the Lion of the tribe of Judah
The Lion of the Tribe of Judah is a symbol found in Genesis and Revelation. In Genesis, Jacob blesses his son Judah, referring to him and his future tribe as a lion’s cub and a lion.
Genesis 49:9 – Judah is a lion’s whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him?
In Revelation, this symbol is seen again when the Lion of the tribe of Judah is declared to have triumphed and is worthy to open the scroll and its seven seals.
Revelation 5:5 – But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Jesus is the One who is worthy to open the scroll. Therefore, Jesus is the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
In Genesis, as Jacob blesses his children, he promises Judah that his brothers will praise him and that they will bow down to him. Jacob also tells Judah that in the future a ruler’s staff will not depart from Judah.
Genesis 49:10 – The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh* comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people. *Shiloh, the cryptogram for the Messiah, the one also called the “Lion of the tribe of Judah.” This messianic prophecy points forward to the second coming of the Lord Jesus, the Lion of Judah who will rule the earth (Revelation 19:11-16).
Revelation 19:11-16 – Now I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse. And He who sat on him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness He judges and makes war. His eyes were like a flame of fire, and on His head were many crowns. He had a name written that no one knew except Himself. He was clothed with a robe dipped in blood, and His name is called The Word of God. And the armies in heaven, clothed in fine linen, white and clean, followed Him on white horses. Now out of His mouth goes a sharp sword, that with it He should strike the nations. And He Himself will rule them with a rod of iron. He Himself treads the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. And He has on His robe and on His thigh a name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Connecting to the Name
Based on Jacob’s blessing, the lion is a symbol of the tribe of Judah, which is known as the kingly tribe (King David was of the tribe of Judah). Lions symbolize power, fierceness, and majesty. Lions are the king of the beasts, and the Lion of the tribe of Judah is king of everything. In the Old Testament, God is sometimes described as being like a lion. In Isaiah 31:4, For thus the Lord has spoken to me: “As a lion roars, And a young lion over his prey (When a multitude of shepherds is summoned against him, He will not be afraid of their voice Nor be disturbed by their noise), So the Lord of hosts will come down To fight for Mount Zion and for its hill.
Yahweh is depicted as a mighty lion who fights fiercely on behalf of His people. The Lord is not afraid of His enemies. He protects His people and will not allow them to be ultimately conquered. God will also chasten His people for their sin. In Hosea, God is angry at Israel because they became proud and forgot Him.
Hosea 13:4-9 – “Yet I am the Lord your God Ever since the land of Egypt, And you shall know no God but Me; For there is no savior besides Me. I knew you in the wilderness, In the land of great drought. When they had pasture, they were filled; They were filled and their heart was exalted; Therefore they forgot Me. “So I will be to them like a lion; Like a leopard by the road I will lurk; I will meet them like a bear deprived of her cubs; I will tear open their rib cage, And there I will devour them like a lion. The wild beast shall tear them. “O Israel, you are destroyed, But your help is from Me.
In Revelation 5, Jesus is the long-awaited Lion of the tribe of Judah. John weeps because no one was found worthy to open the scroll of God’s judgment or even look inside it.
Revelation 5:4-5 – So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. But one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep. Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.”
Both of the genealogies in Matthew and Luke record that Jesus is a descendant of the tribe of Judah. When Jesus is revealed as the promised Lion of the tribe of Judah, it reveals His deity. He is the true king and the One to whom belongs the long-awaited obedience of the nations. Yet it is not His fierceness or the force of His power that makes Him worthy. The Lion has triumphed because He became a Lamb (John 1:29; Revelation 5:6-10).
John 1:29 – The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him, and said, “Behold! The Lamb of God who takes away the sin of the world!
Revelation 5:6-10 – And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth. Then He came and took the scroll out of the right hand of Him who sat on the throne. Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song, saying: “You are worthy to take the scroll, And to open its seals; For You were slain, And have redeemed us to God by Your blood Out of every tribe and tongue and people and nation, And have made us kings and priests to our God; And we shall reign on the earth.”
Practical Application of knowing Jesus as the Lion of the tribe of Judah
- Confidence in God’s power: The imagery of the lion emphasizes Jesus’ kingship, strength, and triumph over sin, death, and evil. In practical terms, this allows believers to face their fears and life’s challenges with confidence, knowing their King is ultimately victorious.
- Trust in divine protection: The lion image reminds believers that Jesus is their ultimate protector and advocate. When feeling weak or threatened, this understanding encourages faith over fear, trusting that Christ stands fearlessly against all obstacles and enemies.
- Submission and obedience: The title calls for a willing submission to Jesus’ Lordship. A practical way to demonstrate this submission is through humble obedience to His teachings, even when difficult.
- A life transformed: As subjects of the conquering Lion, believers are called to be transformed by the Holy Spirit and to live a life that reflects His righteous rule. This inspires actions of justice, peace, and reconciliation, reflecting the values of His kingdom.
- Boldness in our witness: Knowing that the Lion of Judah is victorious empowers believers to be bold in sharing the Gospel, without backing down from opposition or fear.
- Purpose in community: Worshipping the Lion of Judah, often through music and songs, reinforces faith and unity with the Christian community. This provides an atmosphere of hope, conviction, and renewal.
Conclusion: Jesus Christ is worthy because He lived a perfect, sinless life and in shedding His blood defeated sin and death. His death and resurrection have resulted in a protection for His people and an eternal kingdom that will honor and worship God. Ruling this kingdom will be Jesus, the Lion of the tribe of Judah.
Next Week, Session 33: I Am the Bread of Life