The lion is a glorious animal, a symbol throughout history and folklore of power, courage and nobility. There is something uniquely intriguing about the king of the jungle. A vision of the tawny-toned creature with its magnificent mane, whether sprawling in splendor or stalking in arrogance, can't help but elicit a sense of fear and wonder. Families and nations alike have identified with the beautiful beast, inscribing its likeness on crests and coats of arms and national flags.

In the beloved apostle John's unimaginable vision of eternity some two thousand years ago, his eyes were drawn at one point to a throne. There God almighty held a scroll that could set in motion the judgments necessary for the culmination of human history and the commencement of the new heaven and earth. John passionately yearned to see the book opened, to discover the secret treasures hidden in its words. When there seemed to be no one worthy to unseal the book, John began to weep. And as he did, a loud voice pierced the air, crying out: Stop weeping; behold, the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome so as to open the book and its seven seals (Revelation 5:5).

The momentous symbolism behind this lone Biblical reference to Jesus as a Lion harks back to the time when Jacob, father of the nation of Israel, called his sons together on his deathbed to bless each one with a prophecy concerning their future. As he came to Judah, he likened him to a young lion that would one day overpower his enemies, earning the adulation and allegiance of all his brothers. Hundreds of years later the prophecy was gloriously fulfilled as the tribe of Judah stormed into battle carrying a banner etched with the likeness of a lion, to secure the area in the promised land for all the other tribes.

When a lion roars in the jungle, he can sometimes be heard up to five miles in every direction as he marks out territory upon which no other beast dare encroach. As a descendent from the tribe of Judah, Jesus went like a Lion to the Cross, marking out for Himself the territory of our souls. It is finished! He roared, discharging a war cry that reverberated through the canyons of eternity, shattering enemy strongholds and establishing once for all the victory of redemption. He has risen! The disciples proclaimed, and the echo of that sound fills the hearts of rescued men, reminding us that the land is ours, never again to be taken by enemy forces.

One day the scroll John wept over will surely be unsealed and with it the promise that God's judgments are sure. Jesus, carrying a banner of war, will defend the honor of His name by destroying all that falls short of His glory. Until that remarkable day we live in victory, relishing the joy of overcoming grace. We tremble in His presence, thankful that we who through fear of death were subject to slavery all our lives, have seen the evil one rendered powerless by the prowess of our indomitable Leader (Hebrews 2:15).

The Lion from the tribe of Judah has roared! Bring on the victory dance, clang the resounding cymbals, death is defeated and God's marvelous reign is established in our hearts. The kingdom has come! His will has been done! Fear no more, for the Lion is worthy to open the scroll! Glorify His name!