Counterfeit Lion

Are you disturbed by events unfolding in the world around you? I have good news. What is troubling you might be a counterfeit.

What is a counterfeit? Webster’s defines counterfeit as “made in imitation of something else with intent to deceive.” I was doing some reading today in the book of Revelation and noticed something interesting. In Revelation chapter 5, John is describing a vision he had of God holding a scroll that had been sealed with seven seals. There was no one who could open it. John was distressed that the words inside the scroll were inaccessible but was comforted by an elder in the throne room who pointed out the One who had conquered, gaining the right to open the seals. The elder referred to Jesus the Conqueror as “Lion of the tribe of Judah, the root of David.” That is Jesus’ true identity and is descriptive of His power.

When John describes the scene however, the Lion of Judah appears as a “Lamb as though it had been slain.”  The elders (one of whom had just identified Jesus as the Lion) began to sing, “Worthy is the Lamb who was slain”. It seems that Jesus in all His majestic power takes the appearance of, or goes about as, a Lamb.

In contrast to this passage is 1 Peter 5:8 where Peter warns of a deception by our adversary. We are told to be on the look out and stay vigilant because the devil “walks about like a roaring lion, seeking whom he may devour”.  Jesus the Lion of Judah, in whom all authority has been placed, goes about humbly like a Lamb. At the same time our defeated foe goes about deceptively as a lion. He is not a lion, he only impersonates one.

Their is a lot of turmoil in our world today and it could be easy to fall prey to what sounds like a roaring lion. Take heart, the adversary’s roar is only a counterfeit and is easily distinguished from the Lion of Judah who has been doing some roaring of his own lately. If you’ve ever read C.S. Lewis’ The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe you will certainly recognize, “the Lion is on the move”. We are witnessing a clash of kingdoms before our eyes and the real Lion wins! All the ruckus is an attempt to counter the advance of the Lamb of God as He invades.

Be encouraged by Revelation 5:13.

And every creature which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and such as are in the sea, and all that are in them, I heard saying:
“Blessing and honor and glory and power
Be to Him who sits on the throne,
And to the Lamb, forever and ever!”

Published by Eric M. Johnson

I am a follower of Christ, husband to a beautiful worshiper, and father to two amazing sons. My day job is at a great company in which I am fortunate to be a partner. I hold a Bachelor's Degree in Economics and a Master of Science Degree in Information Systems. I enjoy studying God's Word and have taken several graduate level Biblical Studies courses, never in pursuit of a degree. In my free time I enjoy traveling, outdoors, and sports. I am an Iowa Hawkeye fan which is a character building experience.