9 Judah is a lion’s cub; from the prey, my son, you have gone up. He stooped down; he crouched as a lion and as a lioness; who dares rouse him?

10 The scepter shall not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until tribute comes to him; and to him shall be the obedience of the peoples.

— Genesis 49:9-10

And the men of Judah came, and there they anointed David king over the house of Judah.

— 2 Samuel 2:4a

So all the elders of Israel came to the king at Hebron, and King David made a covenant with them at Hebron before the LORD, and they anointed David king over Israel.

— 2 Samuel 5:3

1 There shall come forth a shoot from the stump of Jesse, and a branch from his roots shall bear fruit.

10 In that day the root of Jesse, who shall stand as a signal for the peoples—of him shall the nations inquire, and his resting place shall be glorious.

— Isaiah 11:1, 10

Thoughts on Today’s Reading

Grace and mercy to you from Jesus Christ.

While John wept and wept because he did not see anyone worthy to open God’s scroll which ensures God’s eternal plan to progress, the heavenly assembly knew that the qualified One stood ready to intervene. An elder stepped forward to announce the good news to John and offered immeasurable hope. The Lion of the tribe of Judah and the Root of David had triumphed. There two Old Testament titles refer to the Messiah, God’s anointed servant—the promised One who delivers His people.

Only Revelation links two titles for the Messiah. Long before Israel became a nation, Jacob foretold the destiny of his 12 sons. He described Judah, neither the eldest nor the favorite son, as a lion’s cub. Jacob promised the king’s scepter and the obedience of the nations would belong to Judah’s descendant. The royal line of King David came from the tribe of Judah. The Root of David is also the Root of Jesse, David’s father. The Lord Jesus is the promised Messiah and the King of Kings. He is worthy to break the seals, open the scroll to unfold and execute God’s plan of His kingdom.