The Lion of the Tribe of Juda, the Root of David
“2 And I saw a strong angel proclaiming with a loud voice, Who is worthy to open the book, and to loose the seals thereof?
3 And no man in heaven, nor in earth, neither under the earth, was able to open the book, neither to look thereon.
4 And I wept much, because no man was found worthy to open and to read the book, neither to look thereon.
5 And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Juda, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof.”
(Rev 5:2-5 KJV)
This passage uses two titles to reveal the Deity of Jesus. The lion is the king of beasts. Jesus is pictured as a lion as symbolic of Him being the king of Juda. This shows that the prophecy in Genesis referred to Jesus.
“9 Judah is a lion’s whelp: from the prey, my son, thou art gone up: he stooped down, he couched as a lion, and as an old lion; who shall rouse him up?
10 The sceptre shall not depart from Judah, nor a lawgiver from between his feet, until Shiloh come; and unto him shall the gathering of the people be.”
(Gen 49:9-10 KJV)
Another phrase that shows the Deity of Jesus is the root of David. This title shows the prophecy in Isaiah referred to Jesus.
“And there shall come forth a rod out of the stem of Jesse, and a Branch shall grow out of his roots:” (Isa 11:1 KJV)
“And in that day there shall be a root of Jesse, which shall stand for an ensign of the people; to it shall the Gentiles seek: and his rest shall be glorious.” (Isa 11:10 KJV)
Jesus can open the seals of the book because, in His humanity, He prevailed against sin and is found worthy.