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In ancient Jewish art, we often find lions depicted in a protective role, guarding the Ark of the Covenant or at chapel entrances, as in the sculpture of the ancient synagogues at Sardis (in Asia Minor), Horazin and Bar'am (in Palestine), and in many mosaics dating from the early Byzantine era (330ad – 700ad). In medieval Jewish art, the lion pair is commonly depicted leaning up on either side of the Tree of Life, next to the crown; thus is the heraldic shield replaced by a symbol of YAHUVEH God, and the lions are seen as serving YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH The KING of all Kings.

In modern times the Jewish heraldic representation of the city of Jerusalem remains the venerable Lion of Judah.

 

THE CHRISTIANS:

In the subsequent Christian tradition the lion allegory persists in the New Testament Book of Revelations 5:5; "And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to open the seven seals thereof." Although the dominant image of YAHUSHUA in Revelation is the slain, but now triumphant lamb, the Apostle John continues to employ the powerful and traditional lion symbol. Revelations 5:5 proclaims that the lion of the tribe of Judah has already triumphed, not through final judgment on the wicked, but rather through HIS atoning death which opens up the possibility for all to be saved. MASHIACH(Christ), therefore, is worthy to unseal the judgment scroll because HE has already achieved salvation through HIS death as the slain and sacrificed Lamb of YAHUVEH GOD who takes away the world's sin. Theologians generally concede that the symbol is read and understood as a direct reference to YAHUSHUA, where HE is regarded as the 'lion of the tribe' and 'Root of David'

 

In Christianity, the Lion of Judah symbol is commonly used to refer to YAHUSHUA HA MASHIACH In fact, many Christian ministries use the symbol as their emblem or a prefix to their names. The Bible further reveals other instances when YAHUSHUA was referred to as the Lion of Judah:

Gen 49:8-9: The Lion of Judah, a strong fighter against the enemy.

Hebrews 7: 14: It is evident that our MASTER has risen out of Judah concerning which tribe Moses spoke nothing about priests.

Christians believe that while the ancient tribe of Levi prepared priests, that of Judah was the tribe of the Kings. YAHUSHUA is believed to be a descendant of the Tribe of Judah. YAHUSHUA is commonly referred to as the 'overcoming one' and 'the one qualified to open the scrolls and seven seals'. According to the Book of Revelations 5:5, YAHUSHUA was the 'sacrificial Lamb' and the 'Lion of Judah'. The prophecy of the coming of the MASTER to 'judge the world' as the Lion of Judah is clear all through Revelations 5:1-5.

 

Is it then correct to portray YAHUSHUA as the lion of Judah? Yes, with the critical distinction that MASHIACH (Christ’s) triumph comes through his sacrificial death, not primarily through final judgment retribution. We must also remember that Revelation was written for a relatively young and evolving Christian sect under extreme social and political persecution that encouraged its adherents to follow the path of non-violent and sacrificial death, as did YAHUSHUA. This is arguably why Revelation’s most powerful image is YAHUSHUA the slain lamb, not YAHUSHUA the lion.