Revelation 5:1-5
“And I saw in the right hand of Him who sat on the throne a scroll written inside and on the back, sealed with seven seals. Then I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, “Who is worthy to open the scroll and to loose its seals?” And no one in heaven or on the earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll, or to look at it.
So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 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.”
So I wept much, because no one was found worthy to open and read the scroll, or to look at it. 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.”
We’re nearing the end of this amazing story as we study the 12th and final Major constellation in Leo, the great Lion in the heavens.
The Lion.
This sign is pictured as a full grown lion. He is not resting or sitting but springing up, looking as though he is about to pounce on his prey.
The very first time Jesus is called, “The Lion of the Tribe of Judah,” is in the opening scripture from Revelation. That’s why the Lion is last of all the 12 signs because this fact is mentioned in the last book. That is also why Virgo is first because the Virgin birth is first mentioned in Matthew, the 1st book of the New Testament.
This great Lion is a picture of Jesus bringing judgment on the earth, not yet in His second coming, but during the 7 years of Tribulation.
This is of great importance because, in our last decan, we studied Argo. That great ship arrived in heaven just prior to the Lion’s coming in Judgment, carrying the Church out of this world!
If you read the book carefully, you’ll notice that the Church is not mentioned after Chapter 3. Judgment begins AFTER believers are taken out of the way! That is why this great lion is not resting, sitting, or even holding up an injured paw. No more! He is about to bring judgment to the earth. He will loose all seven seals and the worst of times ever to hit planet earth will strike mankind who rejected the Lamb of God.
The Sealed Scroll.
You’ll notice in the opening scripture that, while the scroll was sealed, John wept because no one was found who could open it. The Angel that was speaking to him said the the Lion of the Tribe of Judah was found worthy to open the seals. My question is, if a whole lot of bad things happen when the scroll is opened, why all the weeping? I’m thinking, “KEEP IT SEALED!” Yet everyone is glad the Lion can open the seals. What in the world is this scroll?
Because it will take way too much to explain it all, I’ll just tell you: It represents what mankind lost when Adam fell. It contains all the conditions and curses that became our heritage because of the fall that Jesus UNsealed off our lives at our new birth. Check out Deuteronomy 28 if you’re interested in the horrifying details. It’s a pretty frightening list.
But because of Jesus, we are NO LONGER under any curse, Church! Our lives are UNsealed and our relationship with the Father is REstored! NO MORECURSE!
Is there any scriptural proof to support that supposition? Yes! The Bible has a lot to say about what a sealed scroll is and its purpose. If you want to read a more complete discussion, which is too long a topic to get into here, you may follow the link below:
HOWEVER…..When the Church is pulled out of this world, the Holy Spirit will be coming with us. Since He is the One Who is restraining Judgment from falling on mankind for their evil deeds, all hell will break lose. ANYONE whose life is still sealed will have the judgment of all those seals unleashed on them.
Now you know why John was overjoyed when he was told that the Lion of the Tribe of Judah was found worthy to open the sealed scroll! We don’t want to sealed with all those curses. We want to FREED (UNsealed) from them!
The Lion And The Lamb.
In His first coming, Jesus came like a lamb: Quietly, meekly, to save the world from their sins. He came to bind up the broken-hearted, heal the sick, raise the dead, and deliver all who were oppressed of the devil. He has been more than patient, loving, and generous, allowing all this time to pass that man might learn the truth, accept Him as their substitute, and be saved.
But very soon the door will close. His ambassadors (the Church) will be called home, and He will judge those that rejected Jesus’ matchless, selfless, priceless gift, foolishly slapping away the only hand that could ever have helped them. Left without recourse or protection because they have no covenant with God, they will be helpless, defenseless prey in the hands of a merciless devil that hates man as much as he hates God.
Only Israel, who still has a partial Covenant, will have any hope of salvation from the horrors that will descend on mankind with a vengeance during those seven years.
What do the names for the sign tell us? Do they convey the same ominous message? It appears so.
Ancient Names For The Sign.
The word in Hebrew for Lion is “Arieh,” and that’s what they called “Leo.” It carries with it the connotation of “Rending or tearing.” The Arabs called him, “Al Asad: The Lion who rends or who makes waste.” The Syrians had a name for him, too: “Aryo,” which means, “The Lion who rends.” The Egyptians named him, “Pi-Mentekeon: The plucking asunder!”
Pretty ominous message, isn’t it? I certainly would NOT want to be on the receiving end of God’s Judgment, not when the remedy is so easy and free to obtain. All you have do is ASK!
The Greeks and Romans had names called him “Leon and Leo,” respectively. Both simply mean “Lion.” Interestingly, when Leo is used in Hebrew, it conveys the same meaning as it does in the Arabic and Syrian languages: Leaping forth as a flame or coming vehemently! Yikes! When referring to God speaking to Moses out of a burning bush, for instance, this word is used to describe the sense of flames bursting or leaping forth.
Do the names of the stars echo this message?
Ancient Names Of The Stars.
Regel or Regulus, from Hebrew, is the brightest star in the constellation and means “The treading underfoot.” It is located in his right shoulder. Denebola, also a Hebrew name, is the second brightest star and means “The Judge or Lord who comes quickly.” It is located in the tail.
An Arabic-named star, “Al-Giebha,” is the third brightest star and means “The Exaltation,” located at the top in back of his mane. Two other stars that bear Hebrew names are “Zosma: The shining forth,” and Sarcam: The Joining.”
Here are three more Arabi-named stars whose exact positions are not known. Their meanings will fry your hair though. The first is “Minchir al Asad: The Lion’s punishing, tearing or piercing; Denab Alaced: The Judge Who comes, Who seizes; and “Al Dafera: The enemy put down.”
The last star obviously indicates an enemy is defeated. Interestingly, this phrase is still in use today when one puts down a horse. Pretty graphic descriptions of the terrible judgment that will rain down on mankind in those last seven years. It will be so bad that the Bible says this of that terrible time in Mark 13:
“ 19 For in those days there will be tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the creation which God created until this time, nor ever shall be. 20 And unless the Lord had shortened those days, NO FLESH WOULD BE SAVED; but for the elect’s sake (the Jewish people), whom He chose, He shortened the days.”
I’d say the names of the signs and the stars describe with frightening accuracy this passage in Mark.
In our next decan, “Hydra,” we’re going to learn more about the defeat of this great enemy. Follow the link below:
(Link is mis-numbered, please disregard.)
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