January 18
“Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has prevailed to open the scroll and to loose its seven seals.” -REVELATION 5:5
When John was given a revelation of Christ in the Isle of Patmos he described the feet of Jesus as “fine brass as if refined in a furnace.” Brass is a symbol of judgment, and the furnace is a symbol of wrath, purification, and refinement. This dimension of the Lord Jesus was something quite new to John.
Because Jesus did not come to judge the world right away, but to save it, we tend to think of Jesus only in terms of the “Lamb” – meek, silent, longsuffering, and turning the other cheek. He certainly is all that. Yet here we get a glimpse of Jesus as the “Lion.” He said He was indeed a King, but that His Kingdom was not of this world. Up until now the kingly aspect of Christ and the majestic glory of His Kingdom had remained hidden.
Source: “The Irresistible Kingdom” by Chip Brogden
CHIP BROGDEN is an author, teacher, and former pastor who shares "real, simple, truth" about a Christ-centered faith that is based on relationship, not religion. Learn more »
I love your insights. One that you didn’t mention in this devotional is the aspect of obedience. Total obedience. Feet like brass, refined in the fire. It’s our feet that first indicate our direction. Jesus told Peter that he was clean, except for his feet, so he washed them. May we in our devotion to Christ also have feet refined in the fire. Feet that choose to follow him wherever, whenever. “Present your body a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God for this is your reasonable, spiritual act of worship.” Jesus the worshiper not only died for us, he lived for the Father, and now lives forever for the Father’s purposes, as our example. May our feet be purified.
He is the Alpha and Omega………the beginning and the end. He WAS the King IS the King and will be the soon coming KING…………….I can’t wait to see him face to face.
Good word. But let’s not overloo that Jesus is also coming back as the Lion OF THE TRIBE OF JUDAH to assume the prophesied throne of his forefather David. His kingdom will not be “of this world” – as of this world system – but it surely will be “in” it.
Brian, I agree with you. We must not overlook the fact that Jesus (Yeshua) is the Royal Messiah of Israel, Who will sit upon the Throne of David as the Ruler of Israel. He will establish the Kingdom of God in this world with His return as the Promised Davidic King of Israel. He Who had come as the Passover Lamb, will return as the Lion of Judah, the Messianic King. May we all be eagerly awaiting His coming!
He is coming!!! Lord have mercy on us all!
If there’s one thing a lion is not,it is not irrelevant, so it is grievous to us his followers to witness how his name and reputation is often regarded as irrelevant these days. His life, and the gospel is often not taught or taught badly in schools and churches alike. The consequences of this means that his true status, and real authority, ie, as of a lion, is maligned or made irrelevant. He must be raised up. Raised up in praise raised up in our understanding of him, raised up in us who are his witnesses, raised up, raised up raised up !
As Jesus is both the Lion and the Lamb; so are we called to be “in Christ” both a Lion and a Lamb. A Lion in the sense of Kingdom Authority and Power which we receive from Him, and a Lamb in showing that we likewise have been crucified with Christ to die and live again in Him. We are called to both Power and Weakness, Authority and Submission “together”. Service… that much we see in both senses. We, like Christ, are called to serve the world. And in His name, through Him alone, to bring salvation to others. We likewise, are called upon to sit in judgment. Not of ourselves, but because, as the Word Of God operating in us, we bring Him to this world; to reveal and show them with power, the judgment of God upon all Sin and it’s manifestation wherever found. IF IT IS FOUND IN THE CHURCH THAT IS IN AND OF THIS WORLD, THEN HE WILL BEGIN JUDGMENT AT THE HOUSE OF GOD! Let us all examine ourselves, judge ourselves, and then repent; least we likewise be caught up in the judgment to come.