Breakthru Worship – Lion of Judah

Breakthru Worship, much like in the same structure as Hillsong, Bethel, and Elevation Worship, is a church-led band.  Based in South Africa, they’ve only released one album: Kingdom Come.

Lyrics can be found at https://www.breakthrulife.co.za/_files/ugd/0d618a_2cdf825a0e4144249d934dd78595d56c.pdf.  I apologize for the chords.  It’s the best page I could find.

Note to new users: This is a different kind of review site!  Read About the Berean Test and Evaluation Criteria prior to reading this review.  I strongly encourage you to consider the potential blessings and dangers of this artist‘s theology by visiting Resources.

1. What message does the song communicate?

This song’s major theme is Jesus’ second coming.  He will come back as the roaring Lion of Judah, cleansing and judging the world with His might.  He who once wore a scornful crown of thorns will come back with a triumphant crown of glory.  He calls for us to prepare for His second coming, praying for nations to repent and trust in Him.  We value Him more than anything else, whose perfect love cast out fear.

My only criticism is the song’s opening lines, which contain a contradiction that minimally impacts this song’s overall message (see section 2).

Score: 9/10

2. How much of the lyrics line up with Scripture?

Almost the entire song is in agreement with the Bible, except for a minor contradiction in Verse 1a and Verse 1b, line 4.

[Verse 1a]

Lines 1 and 2: Borrows from Mark 13:26 to describe Jesus’ second coming (Matthew 24:43, Acts 1:9-11, 1 Corinthians 11:26, 1 Thessalonians 5:2-4, 2 Peter 3:10, Revelation 16:15, and Revelation 19:11-16).

Line 3: After Jesus returns, His Kingdom will be fully established on earth (Revelation 21:1-2).

Line 4: The phrase “He’s coming” (or He is coming) is used in the Present Progressive tense, pointing to an event that is either ongoing in the present or will happen in the future.  When Breakthru Worship adds the word “now”, this presents a problem. Much of the song points to the second coming of Christ, which points to a future event.  To say that He is coming now means that His second coming is happening right now (or at least when this song was written/released), which is incorrect.  Breakthru Worship should have used the word “soon” as stated in Revelation 22:7.

[Verse 1b]

Line 1: Borrows from Revelation 19:12, with His fiery eyes representing purification (Job 23:10, Psalm 51:7-17, Psalm 66:10, Proverbs 17:3, Isaiah 48:10, Zechariah 13:9, Malachi 3:3, and 1 Peter 1:7) and judgment (Deuteronomy 4:21-28 and Hebrews 12:29).

Lines 2 and 3: Probably borrows from Revelation 1:15, which describes the power of God’s Word.  Also, see Ezekiel 1:24 and Ezekiel 43:2.  This voice calls us to prepare for His triumphant return, which is summarized in Jesus’ Parable of the Ten Virgins (Matthew 25:1-13).  While all ten virgins are professed believers, five of them did not heed Christ’s warning.  Thus, Breakthru Worship reminds us to always remain ready.

Line 4: See Verse 1a, line 4.

[Pre-chorus]

Line 1: Contrasts Jesus’ shameful crown of thorns on the cross in death (Matthew 27:29, Mark 15:17, and John 19:1-3) to His crown of glory in life, making Him King of kings (1 Timothy 6:13-16, Revelation 17:14, and Revelation 19:11-16).

Line 2: Jesus is the Lion from the tribe of Judah (Revelation 5:5).

Line 3: Roaring represents Christ’s omnipotence (Genesis 1:1-31, Job 11:7-11, Psalm 33:6, Jeremiah 32:17, Romans 4:17, Hebrews 1:3, and Jude 1:24-25).  According to Revelation 1:7, every eye will see Him come back.  Though nothing is mentioned about stopping, this seems a reasonable response considering America’s response to 9/11 when it happened.

[Chorus]

Lines 1-4: Judging from its English translation, “Roar Lion of Judah over this nation”, this is Breakthru Worship’s prayer that God’s power would reside over the nation to which they preside.  For you and I, it would be the nation where we live.  This is consistent with 1 Timothy 2:1-2.

[Verse 2a]

Lines 1-4: Essentially repeats the same idea as Verse 1b, line 2, adding His power and victory breaks through.  Lines 3 and 4 explain that this breakthrough occurs based on God’s will, consistent with John 14:13.

[Verse 2b]

Line 1: That is, God’s lovingkindness leads others to repentance (Romans 2:4 and Romans 5:6-8).

Line 2: Not song in the literal sense, but referencing God’s Presence.  He is our most prized possession (Philippians 3:8-10).

Line 3: Quotes from 1 John 4:18.

Line 4: Repeats Verse 2a, line 4.

[Bridge]

Lines 1-4: Essentially repeats Chorus, lines 1-4.

Score: 9/10

3. How would an outsider interpret the song?

Unbelievers are probably familiar with the term “Lion of Judah” referencing Jesus.  If they aren’t, Breakthru Worship also mentions a “King coming in power” who once wore a crown of thorns, which cements this interpretation.  This king has fiery eyes, which sounds like He will destroy the world.  Close enough.

They will also conclude that God’s Word will accomplish His desires, including breakthroughs that may or may not occur.  Christians can’t get enough of Him!

I’m not sure if they will pick up on the contradiction I mentioned earlier, but it will likely cause some confusion.  Not enough to wreck the song, but just a small hint of “this doesn’t make any sense”.

Score: 9/10

4. What does this song glorify?

Christ is glorified that we await His return to judge and purify the world, that His Kingdom, rule, and reign would be fully established on earth.  His glory is only slightly impacted through Breakthru Worship’s minor slip-up.

Score: 9/10

Closing Comments

Breakthru Worship’s Lion of Judah is good overall.  It reminds us to prepare for Jesus’ eventual return, where His power will purify this land, removing wickedness and establishing New Jerusalem on earth, bringing Him glory.  While it contains a small error, where Breakthru Worship perhaps inadvertently claimed that Jesus is coming now, all of us should easily comprehend this song’s overall themes and meaning.

If worship leaders change “now” to “soon”, I can recommend it for corporate worship.

Final Score: 9/10

Artist Info

Track: Lion of Judah (Live) (listen to the song)

Artist: Breakthru Worship

Album: Kingdom Come (Live)

Genre: Rock

Release Year: 2018

Duration: 6:39

Agree?  Disagree?  Don’t be shy or have a cow!  Calmly and politely state your case in a comment, below.