THE LION OF JUDAH Kay Keith Peebles 12/22/18 18.39
When the star of Bethlehem rose in the sky above the manger of the Savior, God had been silent in Israel for almost 500 years. Many of the nations surrounding the Mediterranean Sea, including Israel, were embroiled in turmoil under Roman authority and oppression.
Israel had allowed the pagan beliefs of godless nations to influence their worship of God and their own personal lives. The people had stopped listening to the prophets God had sent them calling for repentance. As a result of their rejection of His Word, the voice of God ceased to speak for generations. At the time of Jesus’ birth, God’s voice had been silent for so long ritual had replaced relationship making their faith dull and ineffective. The setting was perfect for a paradigm shift.
The prophet Micah spoke a word likely between 704-696 B.C. which would rock the world. “But you, Bethlehem Ephratah you are little to be among the clans of Judah; [yet] out of you shall One come forth for Me Who is to be Ruler in Israel. Whose goings forth have been from of old, from ancient days (eternity).” Micah 5:2. Jacob spoke a similar word to His sons which is recorded in Genesis 49:10. “The scepter of leadership shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet until Shiloh [the Messiah, the Peaceful One] comes to Whom it belongs, and to Him shall be the obedience of the people.” The scepter of total Kingship/Rulership of heaven and earth belongs to Jesus.
The message of Peace on Earth which the angels sang at the birth of Christ meant the peace and reconciliation of man to God. His peace was for all who would repent of their sinful lifestyle and believe in His Son, Jesus as their LORD and Savior. Salvation meant a transfer of ownership. Those who received Jesus as Lord and Savior were to be delivered from the kingdom of darkness and transferred to the Kingdom of Light (God). There is Peace in the Kingdom of God because it is ruled by the Prince of Peace. However, it did not mean peace for those who reject and rebel against the Lord and His kingdom, including those who were to be sons of the inheritance.
The prophet Isaiah spoke, “For unto us a Child is born, Unto us a Son is given, And the government will be upon His shoulder, And His name will be called Wonderful, Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6. Jesus came to bring peace to all who would reconcile themselves to God, and surrender to His Lordship and the principles of His Kingdom. There is, however another thread which is woven into the prophecies of the Old Testament which have not yet fully come to pass. “Of the increase of His government and peace there will be no end. Upon the throne of David and over His kingdom, to order it and establish it with judgment and justice from that time forward, even forever. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will perform this.” Isaiah 9:7. Isaiah 26:3 states that those who keep their focus on God, completely trusting in Him, will live in perfect peace. This will be fully accomplished in the earth when the Lord returns and reigns for 1,000 years.
Jesus came as the Lamb of God, showing love, compassion and grace to all who would receive Him. We are nearing the time of His return when He will come as the Righteous Judge Who will bring judgment, justice and true Peace in all the earth!
This Christmas the Lord is saying that we should not focus on looking backward at the “baby” in the manger but look forward to our soon coming King! The majority of Israel missed the first visitation of their LORD because they had unreal expectations of how He would come and how He would act. The second coming of the Lord will not be a babe in a lowly manger. He will come with fire in His eyes empowered by the zeal of the Lord God. He will destroy every kingdom that has been established in rebellion to His Kingdom and Lordship. He will rout out all evil and injustice with His rod of iron and trample the nations and kingdoms that have rejected His right to rule the heavens and the earth.
“Why are the nations in an uproar [in turmoil against God], And why do the people devise a vain and hopeless plot? The kings of the earth take their stand; and the rulers take counsel together against the LORD and His Anointed (the Davidic King, the Messiah, the Christ), saying “Let us break apart their [divine] bands [of restraint] and cast away their cords [of control] from us.” He who sits [enthroned] in the heavens laughs [at their rebellion]; the [Sovereign] Lord scoffs at them (and in supreme contempt He mocks them]. Then He will speak to them in His [profound] anger and terrify them with His displeasure, saying, Yet as for Me, I have anointed and firmly installed My King Upon Zion, My holy mountain.” I will declare the decree of the LORD; He said to Me, ‘You are My Son; This day [I proclaim] I have begotten You. Ask of Me, and I will assuredly give [You] the nations as Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron; You shall shatter them [in pieces] like earthenware’”. Psalm 2:1-9.
We are living at the greatest time since the earth was created. All those who have gone before us longed to see the day that is soon approaching. It is not a time to be focused on trivial things which distract and lure us from what is most important. It is time to look up in order to prepare ourselves and others for His return! “Lift up your heads, O gates, and be lifted up, ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is the King of glory? The LORD strong and mighty, the Lord mighty in battle. Lift up your heads, O gates, and lift them up, ancient doors, that the King of glory may come in. Who is [He then] this King of glory? The LORD of hosts, He is the King of glory [who rules over all creation with His heavenly armies].” Psalm 24:7-10, see all.
Our day of preparation is now. Just as we have been preparing to celebrate Christmas with our families and friends, our focus must be on our soon coming King! It is time to trim our lamps which represents our heart by submitting everything we think and do to the Lord. He will shine His light upon us and cleanse our hearts and minds of everything that is not pleasing to Him. It is time to allow His Holy Spirit to lead us in order to minister to others so that no one is left behind not knowing their Savior. It is time to live completely and fully for Him so that we will not be ashamed on that day.
We are His Bride who adorns herself for Him. He must be the sole possessor of our hearts and minds so that we will be without spot or wrinkle when He returns. When we keep our gaze upon Him, we will not miss our time of visitation as the Israelites did.
He is still the Lamb of God but He is also much more. “Then one of the [twenty-four] elders said to me ‘Stop weeping! Look closely, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has overcome and conquered! He can open the scroll and [break] its seven seals.’” Revelation 5:5.
Lift up your heads children of God. Set your hearts completely upon Him. He is the Author and the Finisher of our faith. The earth is groaning for His return and the time is near. When the Lion of Judah roars everything evil and unjust will crumble at His feet! Rejoice, our redemption is coming soon and in Peace He will reign!
