By Mark Fuller 

A Throne Built for a Lion. Rev. 5:1-7

Ps 22:3 But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel. (KJV)

 But You are holy, enthroned in the praises of Israel. (NKJV)

Inhabits: yashab (yaw-shab'); to sit down, seat, (specifically as a judge); to dwell, to settle, to marry; to abide, continue, to dwell, establish and to ENTHRONE.

John 4:23 But the hour cometh, and now is, when the true worshippers shall worship the Father in spirit and in truth: for the Father seeketh such to worship him.

Ø      WE ENTHRONE GOD IN OUR PRAISE AND WORSHIP.

Isa 29:13 Wherefore the Lord said, Forasmuch as this people draw near me with their mouth, and with their lips do honour me, but have removed their heart far from me, and their fear toward me is taught by the precept of men:

Ø       NOT ONLY WITH LIP SERVICE BUT IN LIFESTYLE! -- Praise vs. worship

I.                     It could be said that God was more compared to the lion in the Old Testanent - slaying the multitudes of his enemies in battle, destroying cities with plagues and Pharaohs with commands.

William Wallace was the warrior who arose as a liberator and incited a rebellion in 1297 against King Edward the Longshanks. King Edward was a ruthless tyrannical king of England who oppressed surrounding countries especially Scotland. He and his cold-hearted men devastated Scotland, killing her sons and abducting her daughters. The Scottish nobles eventually gave in to England’s oppression during this time – they were the ones who were supposedly offering protection to Scotland, but instead piled heavy burdens on the back of the people while they line their own purses by cutting deals with the Longshanks. But William Wallace got tired of this ruthless, tyrannical rule – and became the first to defy the English oppressors.

In 1291, his father was killed in battle. William's personal grudge against the English became a crusade when his sweetheart was killed by an English sheriff. He retaliated, killing the sheriff, and thus became an outlaw in his own country. From then on, William Wallace was leader of the Scottish fight for independence.

His battles were the stuff of legends. Outraged by this rebellion, King Longshanks sent his armies to the field of Sterling to crush them. The highlanders came down, in groups of hundreds and thousands. Its time for a showdown. But the nobles, cowards they were, didn’t even want to rise to the occasion to defend their country – they instead wanted to make a treaty with England that will buy them more lands and power.

So without a leader to follow, at first the Scots began to lose courage. One by one, then in larger groups they began to flee. But at that moment, Wallace rides in with his banc of warriors, blue war paint on their faces, ready for battle. Ignoring the nobles who have already gone to huddle with the English captains to get another deal, Wallace goes straight for the hearts of the fearful Scots. “Sons o Scotland… you have come to fight as free men, and free men you are!” he gives them an identity and a reason to fight. He reminds them that a life lived in fear is no life at all – that everyone of them would die someday,

“Aye, fight and you may die. Run, and you'll live... at least a while.
And dying in your beds many years from now, would you be willing to trade all the days,
from this day to that,  for one chance, just one chance, to come back here and tell our enemies  that they may take our lives,
but they'll never take our FREEDOM!!!

At the end of his stirring speech the men are cheering. They are ready. Then Wallace’s’ friend asks, “fine speech, now what are we going to do?” “Just be yourselves.” Where are you going?"  I’m going to pick a fight!”

Finally somebody is willing to stand up to the English tyrants. While the nobles jockey for position, Wallace rides out and interrupts the parley. He picks a fight with the English overlords and the Battle of Sterling begins – a battle that begins the liberation of Scotland.

Ø      In the New Testament we know Him as the Lamb while he walked this earth suffering the mocking insults of pagan dust -- tried for a crime he did not commit, beaten with a rod that he himself created, at the mercy of men who one day would stand before him and cry out for his mercy. Isaiah prophesied the He would be led as a lamb to the slaughter, and as a sheep to the sheerer He opened not His mouth.

John 1:29 John seeth Jesus coming unto him, and saith, Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.

Most folks think that the days of the lion are over, I don't think so! The Bible says that there would be a time when the lamb and the lion
will sit together.

A.             A lion is practically the exact opposite from the lamb. While a lamb depends solely upon the shepherd to the protector, provider, director, comforter, etc, the Lion needs no one. He struts around as the King, and every other animal in the jungle cowers
at his presence…

Peter accurately compared the devil to a roaring lion. But this description can be somewhat misleading in that we fail to see Jesus Christ
as The Lion…

Ø      The average full grown male lion is 9 ½ ft. long, more than 3 ft tall at the shoulders, and weighs approx. 400 lbs. The jaws of a lion are hinged so that it can open its mouth almost a foot wide and kill a zebra or a medium-sized antelope with one bite. Its fangs are 2 1/2 inches long; extended claws: 3 inches long. The lion can jump nearly 30 feet, leap over a 6 ft wall, and run a short distance at more than 50 mph.
It can run 35 mph consistently…

II.                   Rev 5:4-6 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon. 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 loose the seven seals thereof. And I beheld, and, lo, in the midst of the throne and of the four beasts, and in the midst of the elders, stood a Lamb as it had been slain, having seven horns and seven eyes, which are the seven Spirits of God sent forth into
all the earth.

A.     Notice that in the vision, John heard the elders console John with the words: Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book…

B.     But then we keep reading in the very next verse John sees the Lamb! Does the Word contradict itself? Are there two separate beings? NO – they are one and the same!

I believe we can interpret the Bible to read that even though Jesus Christ is the Lamb of God, He is also the Lion of the tribe of Judah…

His throne is where he 'sits' yes sits and rules in power. It’s where he displays his dual nature as God and lord, lion and lamb.

World ruler and peace giver, nation creator and savior of the World. God of justice passing judgment; Savior of all bringing mercy.

Ø      You may not see it this way but let me give you a secret: 'God is on the throne!'  His home is where he is made king. God's throne
is in me, it’s in you. He who was granted no earthly throne, sits on a throne!

Ø      Isn't it time to unlock the king in you isn't it time to manifest the king nature of the church! If you have the Holy Ghost, Isn't it thrilling to know you can walk in such ‘dominion??’ 

Ø      Isn't it time you realized what and who exactly lives and resides in you! Isn't it time you recognized the dual nature of the king residing in your house! Isn’t it time you walk like a lamb, and talk like a lion. Isn't it time you bring peace like a lamb yet bring justice as a lion.
Isn't it time you worship like a lamb yet praise like the lion? The lion of the tribe of Judah!

To walk in God's end time dominion means we, the church 'loose' the presence of the lamb and live in the spirit of the lion. The church is not the beggar - we are the supplier! The church is not the loser - we are the winner. The church is not defeated - we are more than conquerors. Live like it, talk like it, walk like it and be it. You have the lamb in you let him bring peace!    You have the lion in you --
Let him roar!!!

1 Kings 10:19-20 The throne had six steps, and its back had a rounded top. On both sides of the seat were armrests, with a lion standing beside each of them. Twelve lions stood on the six steps, one at either end of each step. Nothing like it had ever been made for any other kingdom.

III.                  Notice before David became a giant killer; he was a beast killer…

The Psalm that David is most known for the 23: the Lord is my shepherd…” Though this is an accurate depiction of the shepherd role of God almighty and David as well, it may be misleading to some degree:

A.     The Lord Jesus Himself often is referred to in Scripture as "the Son of David." When the Jews came to Jesus claiming to be the "sons of Abraham," the Lord replied to them, "If you are Abraham's children, do the deeds of Abraham" (Jn. 8:39b). We can assume from this that Jesus was not just the Son of David by lineage, but also because
He was here to do the deeds of David.

B.     David was the first one to conquer and possess the entire land that Israel had been promised.
Jesus came to fully posses the King­dom!

C.    David also was both the greatest worshiper and greatest warrior in Israel's history. Though many people have trouble reconciling our calling to both worship and warfare, they actu­ally go together. In this age you cannot do one without the other. Even so, we will be great warriors only to the degree that we are great worshipers.

This is why we are told in Psalm 149:5-6, Let the godly ones exult in glory; let them sing for joy on their beds. Let the high praises of God
be in their mouth, and a two-edged sword in their hand.

Ø      Our first calling is to worship, but we must do so with a sword in our hands!

IV.               Some people think that being a Christian means that we have to allow circumstances and people to dictate our lives. 
I realize that we are to be humble, meek and lowly; but we are soldiers of the cross also…!

A.     Matt 5:9 Blessed are the peacemakers: for they shall be called the children of God.

For a long time when I read this, I imagined it being someone who was to resolve a conflict between two opposing parties. Or, at most, if you have an altercation with someone, that you would do what it takes to make peace – even if it meant taking the humble approach and “eating crow.” These are accurate descriptions of this verse. But they’re not the only description!

B.     Think with me: A peace maker is one who makes peace. When there is conflict, the peacemaker will step into the scene and use his resources to bring about peace. Often, if the peacemaker is unable to use diplomacy and negotiate with the conflicting parties, he will be forced to use his own strength and dominance to bring about peace.

Ex.: 1941 Japan bombed Pearl Harbor and the USA entered into World War II with Japan. But why did we enter into the war with Germany? They didn’t bomb us! Had Germany threatened the US in any way? Not yet. But because of a ruthless dictator named Adolf Hitler who was in the process of exterminating the Jewish people, and because Germany was oppressing other European countries, FDR felt that it was in the best interest of the world that we engage the enemy. World peace was at stake. A tyrannical world dictator loomed on the horizon…

V.                 Maybe its time for us to look to the root from which we, the branches, grow! Who is this One we supposedly come from,
whose image we are designed after? What is He like? Maybe we need to clarify what it means to be made in His image!
To the unbeliever it may not seem too encouraging at first – to them, God is either distant or weak, just like many of their
earthly fathers. I want you to be honest: when you picture Jesus, is He sort of meek and mild mannered?
Do you imagine some effeminate, long-haired, sissy? Kind of a cross between Mother Teresa and Mister Rogers with a beard!?
Some people think that when we have to be like Him that means we have to be weak and passive!

• 2 Chinese characters for the word crisis: danger & opportunity

A.     Chron 14:10-11 And David inquired of God, saying, Shall I go up against the Philistines? and wilt thou deliver them into mine hand? And the LORD said unto him, Go up; for I will deliver them into thine hand. So they came up to Baal-perazim; and David smote them there. Then David said, God hath broken in upon mine enemies by mine hand like the breaking forth of waters: therefore they called the name of that place Baal-perazim.

Baal-perazim: the Lord who breaks out! Old Testament: Strongs 6556 or breaking forth - -
BREAK OUT OF OPPRESSION, BONDAGE, SNARES (2 Tim 2:27; Isa. 58:8)

B.     Notice how many “giant killers” in 2 Sam 21:17-22!

Ø      Abishai killed Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass
(said to be 11 ¾ lb.) who had intended to kill King David.
 

Ø      At Gob Sibbechai the Hushathite slew Saph, which was of the sons of the giant.

Ø      Again a battle in Gob where Elhanan slew the brother of Goliath the Gittite, the staff of whose spear was like a weaver's beam.

Ø      And there was yet a battle in Gath, where was a man of great stature, that had on every hand six fingers, and on every foot six toes,
4 & 20 in number; and he also was born to the giant. And when he defied Israel, Jonathan the nephew of David slew him.

Ø      And Ishbi-benob, which was of the sons of the giant, the weight of whose spear weighed three hundred shekels of brass in weight, he being girded with a new sword, thought to have slain David. But Abishai killed him.

C.    These are the names of David's mighty men: 2 Sam 23

Ø      Josheb- was chief of the Three; he raised his spear against eight hundred men, whom he killed in one encounter. 

Ø      Next to him was Eleazar son of Dodai the Ahohite. As one of the three mighty men, he was with David when they taunted the Philistines gathered [at Pas Dammim] for battle. Then the men of Israel retreated,  but he stood his ground and struck down the Philistines till his hand grew tired and froze to the sword.

Ø      Next to him was Shammah son of Agee the Hararite. When the Philistines banded together at a place where there was a field full of lentils, Israel's troops fled from them. But Shammah took his stand in the middle of the field. He defended it and struck the Philistines down, and the LORD brought about a great victory.

D.    Samson, the epitome of warrior: killed a lion with bear hands; battered and stripped 30 Philistines when they used his wife against him, and finally after they burned her to death, he killed a thousand men with the jawbone of a donkey. ALL OF THESE EVENTS WOULDN’T HAPPEN UNLESS “THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD CAME UPON HIM!”

VI.               Luke 13 relays the story of the crippled woman. The Pharisees never lifted a finger to help her. Instead they burden her by insisting that it was a sin to heal on the Sabbath. Does Jesus tiptoe around the issue so not to “rock the boat?”

Luke 13:11-17 And, behold, there was a woman which had a spirit of infirmity 18 yrs, and was bowed together, and could in no wise lift up herself. And when Jesus saw her, he called her to him, and said unto her, Woman, thou art loosed from thine infirmity. And he laid his hands
on her: and immediately she was made straight, and glorified God. And the ruler of the synagogue answered with indignation, because that Jesus had healed on the sabbath day…. The Lord then answered him, and said, Thou hypocrite, doth not each one of you on the sabbath loose his ox or his ass from the stall, and lead him away to watering? And ought not this woman, being a daughter of Abraham, whom Satan hath bound, lo, these eighteen years, be loosed from this bond on the sabbath day? And when he had said these things, all his adversaries were ashamed: and all the people rejoiced for all the glorious things that were done by him.

Ø      Sometimes God doesn’t follow the rules of Miss Manner’s!

A.     IN THE Garden of Gethsemane in the dead of the night a band of thugs “carrying torches and lanterns and weapons” came
to arrest Jesus. Notice how cowardly they were: why didn’t they take him during the light of day, downtown?

B.     But I also see a lion in the midst: did Jesus shrink back in fear? No! he faces them head on!

John 18:4-8 Jesus therefore, knowing all things that should come upon him, went forth, and said unto them, Whom seek ye?
They answered him, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus saith unto them, I am he. And Judas also, which betrayed him, stood with them. As soon
then as he had said unto them, I am he, they went backward, and fell to the ground. Then asked he them again, Whom seek ye? And they said, Jesus of Nazareth. Jesus answered, I have told you that I am he: if therefore ye seek me, let these go their way:

Jesus is no chicken priest, no pale faced altar boy with his hair parted down the middle, speaking softly, avoiding confrontation who gets himself killed because they’re was no way out! He is the Lord of Hosts! The captain of angelic armies! When He returns, He is at the head of a mighty company, mounted on a white horse with a two-edged sword – robe dipped in blood!

No question about it – there’s still something violent in the heart of God!

Conclusion:

·        Maybe your depiction of Christ needs to be the Lamb. If you’re a sinner on the road to Hell, you need to know that the Lamb has been slain to redeem you!

·        But on the other hand, if you’ve been haunted by demons of despair and depression, there’s the Lion that wants to roar in your life!

·        If you’re a leper, an outcast of society whom no one has ever touched because you’re unclean, if all you’ve ever longed for is one kind word, then Jesus Christ is the incarnation of tender mercy!

·        On the other hand, if you’re full of religious pride – one of the self-appointed policemen walking around inspecting fruit – watch out! On more than one occasion Jesus picked a fight with the hypocrites in the Bible.

Mark Fuller