Let’s Think About Lions
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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.”
I love animals.
When we look at animals, we can learn more about God. We see more of His love, His wisdom, and His providence.
With that in mind, have you ever stopped to think about lessons that we can learn from lions? They are mentioned 84 times in the Bible!
Let’s consider together.
Lions teach us about the majesty of the Lord who made them. In the beginning, we are reminded that all of God’s animals and all of His creation were “very good” (Genesis 1:31). Can you imagine being Adam and having the Lord walk a lion up to you to name (Genesis 2:19)?
Wow!
Lions teach us about fear. The Bible tells us that we need to beware of Satan who goes about as a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour (1 Peter 5:8). The lion can stop something dead in its tracks from the sheer terror of its roar. Satan will often use fear to try and intimidate people. I think of the Roman Coliseum. The Romans found a group of people that they blamed when things in their society went wrong. It was our brothers and sisters that they blamed: Christians!
The wicked leaders whipped up the mobs of people into a frenzy against the followers of Christ, and then threw them to the ravenous lions. The crowds laughed and cheered as human beings were maimed and killed by the wild beasts. One early Christian named Tertullian described it like this:
“They think the Christians are the cause of every public disaster and of every affliction that comes upon the people. If the Tiber river rises as high as the city walls, if the Nile does not send its waters up over the fields, if the heavens give no rain, if there is an earthquake, if there is famine or pestilence, immediately the cry is, “Away with the Christians to the lion!” Tertullian (c. 197, W), 3.47.” (David W. Bercot, Dictionary of Early Christian Beliefs, 5524-5527 (Kindle Edition): Peabody, Massachusetts: Hendrickson Publishers Marketing, LLC)
So terrible!!
How could people ever become so hard-hearted that they would laugh and cheer at their fellow man being killed and eaten by wild animals?!
Yet the courage that our brothers and sisters manifested in the face of such cruelty continues to inspire us to faithfulness to the Lord, even in our time.
Romans 8:37-Yet in all these things we are more than conquerors through Him who loved us.
Lions teach us about hope and redemption.
God had long ago promised:
Isaiah 11:6-9-The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, The leopard shall lie down with the young goat, The calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little child shall lead them. 7 The cow and the bear shall graze; Their young ones shall lie down together; And the lion shall eat straw like the ox. 8 The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, And the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. 9 They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.
There is a promise here that began with the establishment of the church. Paul quotes this section of Scripture in Romans 15:12, and applies it to the Christian Age. It’s ultimate fulfillment will be found at the Second Coming. The whole creation yearns for that Day and for God’s promised restoration of all things (Acts 3:19-21; Romans 8:18-23). Knowing that this creation that was cursed by Adam’s sin (Genesis 3:17-19) waits in hope for God’s promised restoration can also encourage us when we face the frightening things of this life.
Finally, lions remind us of Jesus, the Lamb of God Who is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah. We are reminded here of the dual Nature of Jesus in regard to His goodness and His severity (Romans 11:22). Christ is meek, not weak (Matthew 11:28-30). Indeed, those who mistake His kindness for weakness do so at their own peril. Just because the Lord does not fully manifest His power right now in our situation, does not mean that He won’t in His time.
We can go to Jesus and find security and solace in Him. Knowing that the Lion of the tribe of Judah goes with His people encourages me in regard to the enemies that I have faced (and am facing) in my life. Quite often, those enemies are too big for Mark Tabata.
But they aren’t too big for Jesus!
Whatever you are facing, bring yourself now into the Lord’s Presence. If you aren’t a Christian, repent and be baptized into Christ immediately (Acts 2:37-47). As a Christian facing struggles and trials, ask Jesus to help you and strengthen you. He will!
Philippians 4:13-I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.
May the Lion of the tribe of Judah roar in your life, and in your favor!
Lord, thank You for Your creation that teaches us about You and Your greatness. Encourage us today with whatever trials, temptations, or enemies that we are facing. You are our hope, and we know that we can do all things through You, the One Who strengthens us. Let us see beyond the present sufferings we experience to the glory that will be revealed in us. Thank You Lord. Amen.