The Lion on the Throne
- fccreative
- Jul 28
- 10 min read
Choosing the True King Who Rules Our Hearts with Power and Love
Revelation 5 opens with a scroll in the right hand of the One on the throne, sealed with seven seals, and no one in heaven, on earth, or under the earth is worthy to open it. John weeps much until the elder says, “Do not weep. Behold, the lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David, has prevailed.” Jesus stands there as the greatest Lion of all, king of kings and lord of lords, ruling over kingdoms, sickness, darkness, depression, demons, and everything the enemy throws at a life.
The counterfeit lion is often imitated but never duplicated. First Peter says the devil walks about “as a roaring lion,” but Jesus is the Lion. Satan’s old cry in Isaiah was “I will,” and his old ambition was God’s throne. God cannot be overthrown from heaven’s throne, but the enemy still fights for the throne of the heart. Temptation comes like a good deal, a billboard, an impossible burger that looks like beef, smells like beef, and still is not the real thing. The heart has to say, “No deal,” because one lion brings life and the other comes to steal, kill, and destroy.
Revelation’s throne room shows that the true Lion demands willful allegiance. Every creature cries, “Blessing and honor and glory and power,” but nobody bows at gunpoint. Jesus could force every knee to bow, yet he stands and knocks. The Gadarene man shows what counterfeit surrender produces: chains, tombs, crying, cutting, and bondage. One word from Jesus does what a thousand chains could not do, leaving the man clothed, seated, and in his right mind.
Genesis 49 shows why Jesus is called the Lion of Judah. Judah means praise, and Jacob’s prophecy points to the scepter staying in Judah until Shiloh comes, the One whose right it is. Seventeen hundred years later, God keeps that word, proving that a promise from God is not a maybe. Praise becomes God’s love language, not because praise makes him king, but because praise enthrones his presence in the middle of the mess.
John hears “Lion” but sees “a Lamb as though it had been slain.” Jesus is high enough to rule and loving enough to sacrifice. The Old Testament kept king, priest, and sacrifice separate, but Jesus brings all three together as King, High Priest after the order of Melchizedek, and Lamb once for all. The lion lays down his life for traitors, like Aslan at the stone table, and death starts working backward. The only proper response is worship: crowns off, knees down, and “You are worthy.”
Key Takeaways
1. Counterfeits want the throne
The enemy rarely starts by looking ugly; he starts by advertising what looks useful, pleasurable, or harmless. A habit, a screen, a relationship, or a bank account can slide onto the throne quietly before the heart realizes allegiance has shifted. The heart is guarded not by pretending temptation is weak, but by recognizing that only Jesus has the right to rule there.
2. Surrender chooses its master
Neither divine sovereignty nor satanic subtlety removes the responsibility of the will. A “no” to Jesus becomes an open invitation to the counterfeit lion, while surrender to Christ produces freedom rather than bondage. The spiritual life is not a neutral space; every human being yields somewhere, and the fruit reveals the master.
3. Praise enthrones God in trouble
Praise does not make God king, because his throne is already established. Praise brings the authority of that throne into the middle of the circumstance, declaring that the enemy does not rule the marriage, the body, the family, or the future. A praise in the dark becomes a throne in the prison, and chains lose their grip when God’s presence fills the place.
4. The Lion is the Lamb
John hears Lion and sees a slain Lamb, because Jesus conquers by sacrifice. His authority is not separated from his wounds, and his reign is not detached from redemption. The King who asks for surrender has already surrendered himself, laying down his life so traitors could walk free.
5. Tithing answers finished victory
Abraham’s tithe to Melchizedek came before the law, after victory, bread, and wine. That act was not cold religious payment, but a love response to deliverance and blessing. Tithing asks whether Christ is King of all or only King of the parts that feel convenient.
Bible Study Guide
Bible Reading Revelation 5:1-6
“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 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.’ And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne and of the four living creatures, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as though it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.”
Genesis 49:8-10
“Judah, you are he whom your brothers shall praise; Your hand shall be on the neck of your enemies; Your father's children shall bow down before you. Judah is a lion's whelp; From the prey, my son, you have gone up. He bows down, he lies down as a lion; And as a lion, who shall rouse him? The scepter shall not depart from Judah, Nor a lawgiver from between his feet, Until Shiloh comes; And to Him shall be the obedience of the people.”
1 Peter 5:8
“Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”
Mark 5:1-15
“Then they came to the other side of the sea, to the country of the Gadarenes. And when He had come out of the boat, immediately there met Him out of the tombs a man with an unclean spirit, who had his dwelling among the tombs; and no one could bind him, not even with chains, because he had often been bound with shackles and chains. And the chains had been pulled apart by him, and the shackles broken in pieces; neither could anyone tame him. And always, night and day, he was in the mountains and in the tombs, crying out and cutting himself with stones. When he saw Jesus from afar, he ran and worshiped Him. And he cried out with a loud voice and said, ‘What have I to do with You, Jesus, Son of the Most High God? I implore You by God that You do not torment me.’ For He said to him, ‘Come out of the man, unclean spirit!’ Then He asked him, ‘What is your name?’ And he answered, saying, ‘My name is Legion; for we are many.’ Also he begged Him earnestly that He would not send them out of the country. Now a large herd of swine was feeding there near the mountains. So all the demons begged Him, saying, ‘Send us to the swine, that we may enter them.’ And at once Jesus gave them permission. Then the unclean spirits went out and entered the swine (there were about two thousand); and the herd ran violently down the steep place into the sea, and drowned in the sea. So those who fed the swine fled, and they told it in the city and in the country. And they went out to see what it was that had happened. Then they came to Jesus, and saw the one who had been demon-possessed and had the legion, sitting and clothed and in his right mind. And they were afraid.”
Psalm 22:3
“But You are holy, Enthroned in the praises of Israel.”
Observation questions
In Revelation 5, what does John first hear about Jesus, and what does he then see when he looks?
In Genesis 49, what words and images are connected to Judah—especially praise, the lion, the scepter, and obedience?
In Mark 5, what details show the condition of the Gadarene man before Jesus set him free, and what details show his condition afterward?
In 1 Peter 5:8, how is the devil described, and how is that different from the picture of Jesus in Revelation 5?
Interpretation questions
If John hears “Lion” but sees “a Lamb as though it had been slain,” what does that reveal about the way Jesus wins and rules?
Genesis 49 says the scepter would remain with Judah until Shiloh comes. How does that help explain why Jesus is called the Lion of the tribe of Judah, and why God’s promises can be trusted even when fulfillment takes a long time?
Revelation 5 shows heaven worshiping willingly, not by force. What does that suggest about the kind of surrender Jesus desires from people now?
Psalm 22:3 says God is enthroned in the praises of Israel. How should that be understood in a way that honors God’s rule without making it sound like human praise creates his kingship?
Application questions
The enemy fights for the throne of the heart. What has looked harmless, useful, or attractive lately but may actually be competing with Jesus for first place in life? A habit, a screen, a relationship, an image, a career, or something else?
A “no” to Jesus opens the door to another master. Where is it easiest right now to delay obedience, make excuses, or say “no deal” to God’s way because the counterfeit looks easier or more satisfying?
The Gadarene man shows that counterfeit surrender leads to bondage, but Jesus brings a person into freedom, clarity, and peace. Where does life feel tangled, driven, or spiritually noisy right now, and what might surrender to Jesus look like in that exact place?
Praise does not make God king, but it does welcome his rule into the middle of trouble. What would it look like this week to put praise in the middle of a real situation—fear, conflict, grief, financial pressure, or discouragement—instead of waiting for the situation to improve first?
Midnight praise is praise offered when there is no visible reason yet to celebrate. What is one dark place or unresolved burden where choosing to praise God would be an act of trust rather than a feeling?
Jesus is not only the Lion; he is also the Lamb who gave himself for traitors. How does remembering his sacrifice change the way a person responds when conviction, shame, or failure is heavy?
If Jesus is King, Priest, and Sacrifice all in one, then no area of life is meant to stay outside his rule. Which area is hardest to place fully under his lordship right now—time, money, plans, relationships, private thoughts, or something else?
Devotional
Day 1: The Lion Who Demands Willful Allegiance
This lion king requires surrendered hearts, not forced obedience. His throne room overflows with voluntary worshipers who recognize His worthiness. While every knee will eventually bow, He patiently knocks at the door of human hearts. True freedom comes when we relinquish control to the One who conquered death. Our choices matter – each “no” to temptation declares His reign. Chains break when we trust His leadership over our limited perspective.
“Therefore God also has highly exalted Him and given Him the name which is above every name, that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of those in heaven, and of those on earth, and of those under the earth, and that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” (Philippians 2:10-11, NKJV)
Reflection: Where have you been trying to negotiate with God rather than surrender? What area of your life feels like “forced compliance” instead of joyful allegiance?
Day 2: Midnight Praise in the Inner Prison
Darkness intensifies worship’s power. When chains clank and wounds bleed, praise becomes a throne-establishing act. Paul and Silas chose songs over sulking, transforming their prison into a sanctuary. Their midnight melody shook foundations because it declared an unshakable King. True worship ignores circumstantial evidence, focusing instead on Christ’s eternal victory. Every hymn in hardship declares the enemy’s defeat.
“But at midnight Paul and Silas were praying and singing hymns to God, and the prisoners were listening to them. Suddenly there was a great earthquake, so that the foundations of the prison were shaken; and immediately all the doors were opened and everyone’s chains were loosed.”
(Acts 16:25-26, NKJV)
Reflection: What “midnight situation” have you been facing silently? How could praise shift your perspective from prisoner to throne-bearer today?
Day 3: The Scent Anointing of Prayer and Praise
Lions track fragrances for miles. Our prayers rise like incense and our praise carries the aroma of Christ’s victory. These spiritual scents attract heaven’s attention, releasing breakthrough oil. Just as ancient wrestlers oiled themselves to escape grips, our worship makes us slippery to the enemy’s tactics. Persistent praise saturates atmospheres, marking territories for Kingdom advance.
“Now when He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb, each having a harp, and golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints.” (Revelation 5:8, NKJV)
Reflection: What “spiritual scent” does your daily life emit? How could intentional worship make you more resistant to the enemy’s grasp this week?
Day 4: The Lamb Who Roars as a Lion
Scarred paws hold scepters. The throne’s center displays a once-slaughtered Lamb now roaring in triumph. His wounds testify to love’s cost while His authority shakes creation. This paradox defines our King – vulnerability clothed in omnipotence. Every healed heart and broken chain proves His dual nature as Suffering Servant and Conquering Lion.
“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.’ And I looked, and behold, in the midst of the throne... stood a Lamb as though it had been slain.”
(Revelation 5:5-6, NKJV)
Reflection: How does Christ’s sacrifice deepen your trust in His leadership? Where do you need His lamb-like tenderness and lion-like strength today?
Day 5: Trading Turkish Delight for the True King
Counterfeit crowns promise satisfaction but leave chains. Like Edmund trading allegiance for enchanted candy, we often bargain with lesser kings. The true Lion offers lasting dominion to those who reject temporary treats. Every “no” to temptation’s sweetness strengthens our capacity to feast at the King’s table. True freedom comes when we starve imposters and savor Christ.
“And if it seems evil to you to serve the Lord, choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve... But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord.”
(Joshua 24:15, NKJV)
Reflection: What “Turkish delight” has been distracting you from wholehearted devotion? What practical step will you take today to reaffirm Christ’s throne in that area?
Questions and Answers:
Do You Have Specific Questions on this Sermon?
Ask our AI Bot here https://pastors.ai/sermonWidget/sermon/lion-throne-giants-bears
Comments