Rev. 5:5
“…Weep not, behold, the Lion of the Tribe of Juda the root of David, hath
prevailed to open the book and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
The subject “The Lion King” reminds one of the popular Disney movie back in the year 1994. This movie was about a good king, Mufasa, presented as a lion, who ruled over his Serengeti domain with compassion, peace, and righteousness. However, things were about to take a turn for the worse because his brother, Scar, wanted to be king. This of course reminds us of Lucifer who wanted God’s throne (Isa. 14:13-14).
Scar is represented as an egotistical, eccentric, conniving maniac, who is willing to enforce his diabolical authority on all those who object to his ways of thinking. Scar devises a scheme to assassinate King Mufasa and young Prince Simba (the heir to the throne). Prince Simba escapes the assassination attempt but King Mufasa does not. Prince Simba then goes into exile. This may remind us of King Herod, who sought to kill the young baby Jesus who would be king of the Jews; fortunately as well, Jesus escapes to Egypt (St. Matt. Chapter 2).
Prince Simba’s uncle, Scar, takes rulership of the African animal kingdom. He creates gloom, doom, darkness, and chaos in the animal world. This is symbolic to Satan who is called the God (or King) of this world (II Cor. 4:4). Satan has created lies, calamities, havoc, destruction, and wickedness. While in exile, Prince Simba learns his true identity, purpose, and destiny who later returns to take his rightful place as king in his father’s kingdom. Jesus, at the age of 12, understood his purpose for coming into this world, tells his earthly mother, “I must be about my father’s business” (St. Luke 2:49).
After Jesus’ crucifixion, he goes down into Hades where he conquers and spoils all principalities and powers of the enemy, including, hell and the grave (Col. 2:15). Thus, Satan’s power and authority in this world has been spoiled and conquered by Jesus Christ, who is called the Lion of the Tribe of Juda (Rev. 5:5). At the conclusion of the movie, Prince Simba takes rulership of his kingdom. Jesus, the Prince of Peace and the Lion of the Tribe of Juda, rises from the dead and declares that all power in heaven and earth is in his hands (St. Matt. 28:18).
We have all heard the phrase the lion is the king of the forest or the king of the jungle. Jesus is called the Lion of Juda, the King of kings and Lord of lords. In the Hebrew tongue, Juda means praise. Therefore, Jesus deserves our praise because he is King and Lord. All praise and worship, honor, and glory belongs to him.
When Jesus entered into the city of Jerusalem on Palm Sunday before his crucifixion, the people cried out “Blessed be the King that cometh in the name of the Lord: peace in heaven and glory in the highest.” Some of the Pharisees told Jesus to make them hold their peace, Jesus answered, if they hold their peace the stones would immediately cry out. (St. Luke 19:38-40). In other words, Jesus was saying praises, honor and glory belongs to me. Jesus, the Lion of Juda’s very name, is to be praised.
When Prince Simba took his rightful place as King of the Serengeti, all the animals in the animal kingdom bowed before him, recognizing him as king and ruler. The animal kingdom once again was restored back to its original beauty, harmony, and tranquility. When we praise the King of Kings, and the Lord of Lords whose name is Jesus Christ; we too are changed into vessels of honor to be used for the glory of God.
One of the greatest praiser’s of God, known to man, was David. As a Shepard boy, David sung love songs of praise to God on the mountain sides and in the valleys low. He serenaded God with poems, poetry, songs, melodies, and ballets until God lifted him up above every person in Israel.God even took the kingdom and throne of Israel from King Saul and anointed David as king while he was still a shepard boy.
As a matter of fact, David is credited to writing about one half of the Book of Psalms. When you humble yourself and sing songs of praise and glorify the King of Praise, God will lift you up! When you lift God up, he will lift you up. When you magnify God, he will magnify you. When you promote God, God will promote you. The Bible says in I Peter 5:6 “Humble yourselves therefore under the mighty hand of God that he may exalt you in due time.” David was so admired by God that Jesus himself is called the Son of David. God has promised that the throne of David would last forever (St. Luke 1:32-33).
David is called a man after God’s own heart (I Sam 13:14) because he fell in love with God. When God becomes your delight, heart, and soul; you have undeniably fallen in love with him. God already loves us. The Bible makes it clear that God so loved the world that he gave his only son (St. John 3:16) and while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us (Romans 5:8).
True worship denotes total allegiance and devotion to God; pleasing God becomes your passion of life. St. Luke 12:34 says “For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also”. Do you treasure God enough to worship and praise him all the days of your life? Every person worships something. Whom do you worship? The Bible says in St. John 4:23 that God seeks out a worshipper. Why does God have to seek such to worship him? Because there are not many true worshippers; there are not many who will worship the Lion of Juda, King of Juda …the Lion King.
One of the greatest attributes of a lion is their strength. Their sheer bodily strength can bring down prey twice its size. They are a formidable foe and nothing in this world can compare to it. The lion with its majestic look, is one of the most powerful and fearless animals in the animal kingdom. God said in Isa. 40:18 & 25, and Isa. 42: 8 “Who can compare to him? Who is like him? He is the lord and his glory will he not give to another”.
God is to be praised because there is none like him. He has all power, all strength and all might. He is the creator and ruler over all things, He created all things and all things are subjected unto him. Recognizing his deity, kingship, authority and sovereignty should prompt every man, woman, and child to praise the name of Jesus, our Lord. His name is above every name. His name can heal the sick, raise the dead, calm the turbulent and raging seas and saves all men from the hands of the enemy.
The Bible says in II Chronicle 20:21-24 that King Johoshaphat appointed singers before the army and to say praise the lord for his mercy endureth forever; and when they began to sing and the praise the lord, God set an ambush against the enemy and they destroyed each other and no one escaped. God fought the battle for the Nation of Judah (Praise). When you begin to praise God in the midst of adversity, you are in essence, inviting God to intervene in your situation and circumstance. The Bible says in Ps. 22:3, “Thou inhabit the praises of his people.” Your praise lifts the name of the lord up and bring him down to do battle for you. Therefore when you begin to praise God, God himself shows up; and thus every adversity, illness, disease, and problem must bow, fall down, and submit to the authority of God.
Praise is an act of worship that we use the least. The Bible says in Ps. 33:1 “Praises is comely to the upright.” In other words, praise, for a child of God, should be as natural as breathing. Praise must be done not only in good times but at all times. As a matter of fact, the best times to praise God is during moments and times of adversity.
Remember Jesus, the Lord God, is the Lion of Juda (Praise). We should be glad he is called the Lion King because not only is he king but he fights viciously as a lion in the heat of battle; devouring up everything that comes against His people and His kingdom. Who doesn’t admire a warrior king? Not only does he rule from his throne on high, but he will fight beside you in every battle of life.
God has promised never to leave you or forsake you (Heb.13:5). A lion is at his best during battle and during the engagement of war. The more you praise God, the more powerful, magnified, and fierce he becomes in your life. God is not to be toyed with! He is always victorious in battle.
God, the Righteous King, has also given us a position of honor next to him. The Bible says in Eph. 2:6 that God has raised us together and made us sit together in heavenly places with Christ Jesus. Who in their right mind would not worship the Lion of Judah – The Lion King? Disney may have come up with a movie entitled “The Lion King” but the true Lion King existed long before the movie appeared in theaters.
— World-Awakening.com