Genesis 49:9, 10

You are a lion’s cub, Judah; you return from the prey, my son. Like a lion he crouches and lies down, like a lioness—who dares to rouse him? The scepter will not depart from Judah, nor the ruler’s staff from between his feet, until he to whom it belongs shall come and the obedience of the nations shall be his ~ Genesis 49: 9, 10

This verse is interpreted of the Messiah, the son of David. He is compared to a young lion for his strength, his courage, and generosity, yet he has come to maturity as well. The time will come when the young cub will be as an old lion whom has arrived at his full strength. A full-grown lion is fierce, and dangerous to rouse when laid down. The kingly power is attributed not only to the lion, but to Christ, the Messiah. For He is the strongest, He is the mighty Saviour, His powers challenge all the powers of darkness as He vanquishes all enemies, leading “captivity captive”. Who will be able to stand before Him once He is angry? From Him the scepter shall not depart, meaning Judah will continue as a distinct tribe until the Messiah should come. So it did, until He arrived, but in the time after His arrival, all distinction between the tribes has been lost. This prophecy has been fulfilled, most certainly in the spiritual realm, though not in the political. However, the promise leads us to anticipate a time when all nations will submit to Him in the fullness of time. He is the lion of Judah whom has conquered sin and death and sits now at the right hand of God the Father. To Him belongs the scepter, He is the lawgiver, and to Him all people will gather.