The Lion and the Lamb

Suddenly a lion has become the star in a movie again. No. Not the movie, The Lion King. That story was about Simba and the circle of life. That movie represents a non-Christian worldview. The new lion star, Aslan, in The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, is no tamed circus lion. Actually, he is quite believable as a regal, eloquent, strong, and courageous character. C. S. Lewis’s imaginative story is rich in Christian symbolism. Sin, forgiveness, and redemption lie just beneath the surface of the experiences of Peter, Susan, Edmund and Lucy. Aslan is especially mesmerizing. A lion as a symbol of Christ is not a new idea. In the spectacular conclusion of redemption’s story the Lord Jesus Christ is revealed as “the Lion that is from the tribe of Judah, the Root of David” (Rev. 5:5). The scene in which this announcement is made takes place in the court of heaven. Revelation 4 focuses the reader’s attention on the Creator Lord of the universe who sits on His throne of judgment. Revelation 5 places the spotlight on the seven-sealed scroll and the Son of God who receives it. All of human history culminates in the moment “in which the throne of heaven invests the Lion of the tribe of Judah with the legal authority to establish His dominion over the earth by advent and judgment.”

Heaven searches for someone worthy to open the seven-sealed scroll. Who has the authority to execute judgment on the earth and to bring to pass the kingdom of God on earth? No sinful human being is able to come forward and claim governing authority over the universe. Satan and his demons do not have the right to receive the kingdom of God. There is a holy hush in heaven. This seven-sealed scroll contains the “history” of the future. No one is found worthy to open the title deed to the universe. No political figure, no emperor, no king, no Nobel Peace Prize winner, no scientist, no president, no scholar, no theologian is qualified. No one has the right to attempt to assume the prerogative of global rule other than the Lion of the tribe of Judah. This lion is Christ. He is no “lame duck” administrator seeking to salvage a failed plan. The destiny of all mankind is in His hands.

The Lion of the tribe of Judah is the only one worthy to open the scroll and break its seal (Rev. 5:5-7). The apostle John is told to stop weeping. Things are not as they seem. Judah’s Lion is the glorified Christ in His kingly authority. He is Israel’s king, the fulfillment of the Davidic covenant. The political powers of Jesus’ day mocked both Him and the Jewish people with the sign, “This is Jesus the king of the Jews.” But in their jest they unwittingly told the truth. Jesus is invested with regal authority. The lion is a symbol of power and majesty (Gen. 49:9). As a lion the Son of God is presented as the conquering Messiah who will defeat the enemies of God. His cross-work makes this possible (Rev. 3:21). That is why the lion is also a lamb. The lamb represents Christ as Savior (Rev. 5:6). The thousands of Passover lambs in Israel have found their fulfillment in the Lamb of God who was led to the slaughter to be pierced through for our transgressions. This breathtaking scene in heaven of the Lamb of God coming forward to take what is rightfully His by redemption should play upon our minds with unending delight and anticipation. “He came, and He took it (“the Book of Redemption”) out of the hand of Him who sat on the throne” (Rev. 5:7). Even though ours is a world that refuses to worship the Son of God, the blood-bought church of Christ should be living with the pulsating hope that the kingdom of Christ is coming.

This brings us back to Aslan, the Christ figure, in the land of Narnia. C. S. Lewis, the author of The Chronicles of Narnia, said, “I am sure you understand that Aslan is a divine figure, and anything remotely approaching the comic…would be to me simple blasphemy.” He said further, “I don’t know where the Lion came from or why He came…But once He was there He pulled the whole story together.” It is not our purpose to exegete the thoughts of Lewis, but rather to enjoy the allusions to the person and work of Christ. The perpetual winter of Narnia without Christmas is a useful picture of our sin-cursed world. People all around us are frozen in their sin, unable to enjoy the life that comes from Christ’s saving work on the cross. It took the death of Aslan to make all things new and destroy the works of the White Witch. In the real world of Christ’s atoning death on the cross, the Lion is also a Lamb who “takes away the sin of the world” (Jn. 1:29). The scene in heaven’s court prior to judgment on this world draws our eyes upon God’s Lion, Jesus Christ who is fierce and strong. He will one day compel all unbelievers to bow before Him. But before Israel’s Messiah roars in judgment, He offers His forgiveness and presence in the gift of eternal life. He is not safe, but He is good.

Dr. Howard E. Dial
Berachah Bible Church