Lions

“Behold, he shall come up like a lion from the flood plain of the Jordan.” Jeremiah 50:43

Ferocious
For a person who has never seen a wild lion, it is difficult to appreciate how enormously powerful they are. For a creature that is capable of killing a water buffalo, a man is a small matter. Lions have been known to carry victims for up to a mile without rest. One judiciously placed bite – usually in the head or neck – kills instantly and so does a swipe of its great paw. One blow can break a man’s neck; it can break an ox’s neck. Experienced hunters claim lions are extremely dangerous. “There are more fatal accidents from lions on record than from any other animal.” The lion is second only to the crocodile as a man-eater in Africa; of which Central Africa suffers the most – Tanzania, Malawi, and Mozambique-being the most notorious. Besides the African lion, there’s the Asian lion. The lions in Daniel’s Biblical den were of this Asiatic kind, smaller than African lions with a lower slung belly.

The lion (Leo or Panthera Leo), family Felidae, can weigh up to a quarter of a ton (553 pounds), can measure nearly ten feet from nose to tail tip and towers seven feet when it rises at the end of a charge. It has the strength of ten men and has been seen to clear a twelve-foot chasm when driven by desperation, and to leap thirty-six feet. Lions can also climb trees. Among the man eaters of the world, Lions are in fourth place today, after the crocodile, shark, and tiger. Once a lion has set its sights upon a particular victim, it will attempt to tear down doors to get at him, and burning torches will not deter it!

In captivity, however, lions become either completely indifferent (passive), or unpredictable (mean and dangerous beasts).

Many circus men have died in lion acts; attacked and killed for backing into an animal, or merely stepping on a lion’s tail or paw; also many zoo attendants have died. But, wild lions, interestingly, hold man in respect as a superior animal. Still, many captive lions go berserk and attempt to eat their victims. Lions in “captivity” dull their intelligence; and are no longer predictable, intelligent, or shy! An omen for man?

Blood-Thirsty
Moreover, lions played a bloody part in history, but unlike the elephants which were used in war, lions were more for dramatic appeal. In fact, lions were found in Israel up to the time of the Crusaders. The Assyrians and Babylonians used lions, both in war as bodyguards and for eating prisoners, a spectacle usually open to the public. The Greeks in Homer’s period were fond of reckless lion hunts and according to Homer, Greece was plagued with man-eating lions which had been captured in Asia and set free in Greece for future hunts. But, it was Nero who first had Christians executed by lions. Half of Rome had been destroyed by fire and Nero blamed the Christians. In an orgy of blood-lust he had Christian prisoners dressed in animal skins and put into the arena, where they were killed and often eaten by lions

Righteous
Yet, Pliny the Roman writer, and like most of the intelligentsia, was never happy with “blood sports,” who wrote of the lion: “The lion alone of all wild beasts is gentle to those who humble themselves to him and will not touch any such upon their submission, but spares whatever creature lies prostrate before him. Fierce and furious as he is at other times, he discharges his rage upon man before he sets upon woman, and never preys upon babies unless from extreme hunger.” C. Gesner, a German writer, in 1563, was quoted as saying: “So peaceful and mild is the lion, that he does not wound anybody who throws himself on his mercy. Nor does he harm anybody more than he has been harmed himself, does not hurt man at all if not driven to it by great hunger, and touches not women, less than men, and spares children altogether, such a righteous animal is he.” Moreover, “The wicked flee when no man pursueth, but the righteous are bold as a lion.” (Prov. 28:1).

Justly Distinguished
In fact, lions are very distinguished animals in the Bible (mentioned 154 times!). They were known for their strength (Judges 14:18), their bravery (2 Sam 17:10), and their fierceness (Job 10:16). Many people in the Bible are compared in one way or another to lions. Judah is “a lion’s whelp” (Genesis 49:9). Israel shall “rise up as a great lion” (Num 23:24). Jonathan and David are said to be “stronger than lions” (2Sam 1:23). “A lion which is strongest among beasts, and turneth not away for any.” (Prov. 30:30). The list could be much longer.

Benaiah, one of David’s mighty men, killed “two lion-like men of Moab” (2 Sam 23:20). This certainly refers to their strength and fierceness. The Gadites are compared to lions in another passage in the blessing of Moses on the different tribes; he blesses Gad with these words. “Blessed be he that enlargeth Gad: he dwelleth as a lion, and teareth the arm with the crown of the head” (Deut 33:20). The tribe of Gad was compared to a lion. The people of 1 Chron12:8 with faces of lions, which describes the Gadites as having faces that were as fierce and bold as that of lions.

Two Lions
Ah! But, here in the opening text is reference to a lion (King of the Beasts), but a “chosen one!” This is the lion of the tribe of Judah – Jesus Christ! The Bible, however, refers to two different lions! Well, who is the other lion? Satan, who is intent on devouring us, destroying us; “Be sober, be vigilant, because your adversary the devil walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour.”(1Peter 5:8). “Satan can work with the ferocity of a lion.” (5T 384). What’s our defense, then? Submit to God – “resist the devil and he will flee from you.”(Jam 4:7).

Jesus Christ, furthermore, is not only like a lamb, or lamb-like, but also, like a lion! Jesus Christ did not appear on earth as a lamb, but died as a sacrificial lamb, and lived as a lion, saying, “I’m also a lion.”

Jesus Christ came out of the Jordan river as a lion, saying, in essence; “who can challenge me – who can stand against me?”

Also, it’s written that He will completely destroy Babylon. “I will punish Bel in Babylon” (Psalm 50:44); (Bel is a Babylonian god). Babylon denotes confusion – Satan. All nations will rejoice among nations, with the fall of Babylon the Great; “Babylon the great is fallen, is fallen, and is become the habitation of devils, and a cage of every foul spirit, and a cage of every unclean and hateful bird.” (Rev 18:2).

Man Is The Prey
“Like as the lion and the young lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, he will not be afraid of their voice, nor abase himself for the noise of them: so shall the Lord of hosts come down to fight for the mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.” (Isa 31:4).

“When Christ was on earth Satan raged like a chained lion.” (GC 514). Jesus, also, when He was on earth; took His “prey” into His hand, saying: “My sheep hear my voice, and I know them, and they follow Me: And I give unto them eternal life: and they shall never perish, neither shall any man pluck them out of My hand. And they shall hear My voice: and there shall be one fold, and one shepherd.” (John 10:16, 27-30). “Therefore, will I save my flock and they shall no more be a prey.”(Ezek 34:22). The Apostle Paul said, “no power shall separate us from the love of Jesus Christ.” (Rom. 8:35). After Jesus Christ died on the cross none can oppose us. Jesus said, “Father, Son and God are One.” (John 10:30). “Such magnificent power cannot take us from Him.”(1 Pet 5: 8, 9).

All the brethren will have the same tribulation, as all around the world is the presence of the lion, intent on destroying everyone. But, in the world, too, is another lion – Jesus Christ, who will protect us from the ravenous lion – Satan.

Treacherously Lurking
When Jesus Christ was baptized in the Jordan, He went directly to the wilderness, where He knew the devil would come and tempt Him. But, He was not afraid. When the devil approached Jesus with many alluring temptations, Jesus was unafraid and steadfast. The first time the devil was unsuccessful.

Clearly, however, when the devil attacked Adam and Eve, he was successful, and during 4000 years has always been successful. The devil, however, told his fallen angels, if Jesus Christ comes to earth, He will overcome them! Woe unto thee! Therefore,” the devil came personally to attack Jesus; not being a battle between Lucifer and the angels, but between Jesus and Satan – The Great Controversy between good and evil.” (GC 162). Concerning good, ”He crouched, he lay down like a lion, and like a great lion. Who shall stir him up? Blessed is he who blesseth thee, and cursed is he who curseth thee.”(Num 24:9)

Jesus, however, resisted all the ruthless attacks of the devil. When the prophets and apostles spoke of lions they knew what they were saying. Two ferocious lions fighting is a terrible sight. One has to lose; they fight to the end, wanting to kill each other. Before approaching, they closely observe each other from afar, then suddenly attack, directed at the most vulnerable sites. That same lion, the devil, is waiting for the best opportunities; weaknesses, idiosyncrasies, temptations, etc.

Surprise Attack!
So did Satan, slyly circling Jesus for forty long days, “like a lion that is greedy of his prey, and as it were a young lion lurking in secret places.”(Ps 17:12). ”He lieth in wait secretly as a lion in his den.” (Ps 10:9). Jesus was fasting for forty days; not eating or drinking. A pride or tribe of lions will stalk a water buffalo, and then attack from behind, avoiding its sharp horns (its only defense). It is then that Satan attacks, also, when the victim is at its weakest or unsuspecting state. If someone is, however, strong, steadfast, prayerful, pledging the blood of Jesus, Satan will not attack. He waits patiently, for the right moment, when we are weak, discouraged, sick, anxious, indifferent, or passive – he attacks! Where prayer is absent–he attacks! Be wary, too, for “Satan does not always have the ferocious look of a lion.” (2T 287)

Cruelly Waiting
The devil is waiting now, to devour and destroy us. But, when we are praying, we are in communion with God – in his protective fold. Satan, however, patiently waits, circling us as well, looking for that one weak moment when we are deprived of the protection of Jesus; when our eyes are not fixed upon Him. Still, “Satan can exchange the roar of a lion for the softest whisper.” (2T 287)

But, when the hand of Jesus is stretched around us, He will not permit Satan to destroy us. God does not stand idly by when innocent people are persecuted or hunted. “O Lord my God, in thee do I put my trust; save me from all those who persecute me, and deliver me, lest he tear my soul like a lion, rending it in pieces, while there is none to deliver.”(Ps 7:2)

Fighting Lion
The prophet Isaiah mentions, “as the lion roaring on his prey, when a multitude of shepherds is called forth against him, will not be afraid of their voice, so shall the Lord come down to fight for Mount Zion, and for the hill thereof.”(v 31:4). All the priests, Pharisees, and rabbis came in force against Jesus. He was all alone. When the high priest condemned Him, Jesus asked the Sanhedrin council, “what do you think?” They answered, “we need no more proof – guilty!” Jesus Christ, the Lion, was approached by all the erratic “shepherds,” but, Jesus remained fixed in His faith; courageously facing the enemy.

Jesus, however, had many possibilities to escape. What were these? Well, to kill them outright; to use His divine power. He could ask His Father to send twelve legions of angels.

But, as a great Lion, He was undisturbed by all of this; unafraid, and steadfast. You see, Satan attempted to kill Jesus in the most simple way, but Jesus was unmoved; “yet out of thee shall he come forth unto me that is to be ruler in Israel; whose goings forth have been from of old, from everlasting.” (Mi 5:2).

How To Be A Lion
The Saviour, Jesus Christ, our Lord and Master, precedes us, leads us, directs our paths. We are, in fact, like “lion cubs,” whelps, whimpering and trailing meekly behind. If we, too, are unafraid, and all of the corruptible “shepherds” of this alien wicked world are against us – fear not! For Jesus said, “and ye shall be hated of all men for my name’s sake.”(Math 10:22). Trust in God amid troubles, for David, too, when he fled from Saul and in the cave, said, “My soul is among lions.” (Ps 57:4). But he who endures to the end will be saved.”(Math 10:22). In the presence of God there is safety!

You are like lions in the nations; dauntless, tenacious, invincible! Do not fear! In Asia, Europe, Africa, South and North America, all may oppose you, but we are not afraid, for “if the Lord is with us, who can be against us?”Matt. 12:30. “The lion hath roared; who will not fear? The Lord God hath spoken; who can but prophesy?”Amos 3:8. “Save me from the lion’s mouth, and from the horns of the wild oxen (Ps. 22:21)

You are a lion; Spartan, Herculean, lion-hearted! Jesus Christ has angels in this ferocious battle for life; for you are not alone! Jesus sends His angels to protect us; caressingly hovering over us – continually! Jesus says, “Therefore, I will be unto them as a lion: as a leopard by the way will I observe them: I will meet them as a bear that is bereaved of her whelps, and will rend the caul of their heart, and there will I devour them like a lion: the wild beast shall tear them.” (Hos. 13:7, 8).

When Jesus walked on this earth, He was on one hand – Jesus Christ. He zealously kept the “Throne of Grace.” On the other hand, He gathered the sinner and reconciled him with God. God is on the Throne, and gives His hand to Jesus. The hand of God is strong, certain, from both sides. If we give our bare hand to Jesus Christ, He will affectionately take us to God.

In the world today, the last raging battle is soon coming and it will ruthlessly destroy itself. They speak “peace” but prepare for “war.” If one refuses God, He cannot help us. The Temple of God, however, is still open; the doors of grace and mercy are still beckoning. The Lord still extends His hand. It’s not too late! Be a LION!
Amen.

John Theodorou U.S.A.