Lion Roars from Zion

E101 The Shibboleth Test – Accents, Authority, and the Identity of Christ

What if one word could save your life – or end it? In Judges 12, a simple pronunciation test called “Shibboleth” meant the difference between crossing the river or being killed. Forty-two thousand men failed. Their accent gave them away.
In this episode, we trace that haunting Old Testament test straight to the Gospels. We’ll look at Jesus’ confrontation with religious leaders in Mark 11:27–33 – where they face a test of their own and refuse to answer. Then we land on the most important question ever asked: “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29)
We’ll explore:
· Why identity tests aren’t cruel – they’re inevitable · How the religious leaders failed the same way Ephraim did (but worse) · Why Jesus Himself is the ultimate Shibboleth · How to stop performing and start confessing
If you’ve ever wondered whether Christianity is just about “saying the right thing” – or if you’re wrestling with who Jesus really is – this episode is for you.
LISTEN NEXT
• 🎧 E99 This kind comes out by nothing but
• 🎧 E97 Word Before World
CONNECT
• Instagram: @lion_roars_from_zion
• Website: www.lionroarsfromzion.com
• Free resources: Free Resources | Lion Roars From Zion
SHARE THIS EPISODE Help us to share these teachings

E100 Can You Believe it

Can you believe it? One hundred episodes.
I just want to start this one by saying thank you. From the bottom of my heart—thank you to every single person who has listened, who has shared an episode, who has sent a message of support. I see you. I value you. Each one of you has made this journey what it is.
And what a journey it's been.
But before we celebrate, I need to do something else. Something harder than thanking you.
I need to correct something I got wrong.
In a previous episode, I taught that the Restrainer in 2 Thessalonians 2 was the Holy Spirit. After deeper study, prayer, and looking at the text more carefully—I was wrong.
And if I'm wrong, I want to be the first to say it. And I want to correct it. On air. Publicly. Because truth matters more than being right.
So in this 100th episode, I'm walking you through five pieces of evidence that changed my mind. The grammar of the Greek text. The role of the Church as salt and light. The theological problem of the Holy Spirit being "taken out of the way." And the fact that Paul told the Thessalonians this face to face—so they knew exactly who the Restrainer was.
Spoiler: It's the Church. It's you. It's us.
And that changes everything about how you see your role in these days.
WHAT YOU WILL LEARN
• The correction I needed to make – Why I taught the Restrainer as the Holy Spirit, and why that was incorrect
• Five pieces of evidence from 2 Thessalonians 2 – The grammatical shift from neuter to masculine, the role of salt and light, why the Holy Spirit cannot be "taken out of the way," and what Paul had already taught them
• Why identity matters more than ever – The number one thing coming through our Healing Rooms ministry is identity. Who you are in Christ. How Christ sees you. And why knowing that allows you to stand.
• What you're actually here for – The stats don't lie. You want deep dives. Scripture cracked open. Prophetic words unfolding. What's happening in the world today—and how to be prepared for it. That's what we're leaning into.
• What the Restrainer means for you right now – You are not just waiting for the Spirit to do something. You are the Restrainer. Your presence, your prayers, your witness—they are holding back lawlessness. And one day, when the Church is taken out of the way, the end comes.
ABOUT THIS EPISODE
This is Episode 100 of Lion Roars from Zion. One hundred episodes of sitting down, reading the Bible, waiting for that rhema word to land, studying it more, and bringing prophetic insights to you.
I love this journey. And I know—this is what you guys like. The discipleship series? It was good. Solid teaching. But that's not what you're here for. And that's okay. We run a discipleship WhatsApp group every Sunday for those training resources. But for the podcast? You want deep dives. So that's what we'll keep giving you.
This episode is personal. It's a thank-you. It's a correction. And it's a prophetic declaration over the next 100 episodes.
Tone: Warm, honest, vulnerable, and prophetic. A milestone celebration with a backbone.
CONNECT WITH US
• Instagram: @lion_roars_for_zion
• Website: www.lionroarsfromzion.com
• Subscribe: [Apple Podcasts / Spotify / YouTube]
SUPPORT THIS PODCAST
• Share this episode with someone who needs to hear that correction matters
• Leave a review on [platform] – it helps others find us
• Join the WhatsApp group for deeper discipleship resources

E99 This kind comes out by nothing but .... (Mark 9:14-29)

A vision of black cloud and lightning. No interpretation. Just a lead balloon in the middle of a feast. It felt out of place—until the next morning, when an open Bible revealed the council of the Lord. This is a warning about false prophets (including the one in your own mind) and an invitation to stand, not run. Includes activation. Jeremiah 23:18 – "Who has stood in the council of the Lord?"

E98 The Council of the Lord: What happens when the vision doesnt make sense

A vision of black cloud and lightning. No interpretation. Just a lead balloon in the middle of a feast. It felt out of place—until the next morning, when an open Bible revealed the council of the Lord. This is a warning about false prophets (including the one in your own mind) and an invitation to stand, not run. Includes activation. Jeremiah 23:18 – "Who has stood in the council of the Lord?"

E97 Word before the world

Elizabeth and her husband used to wake up, reach for their phones, and swallow the world before they had taken one bite of God's Word.
Then they encountered a teaching from Rick Renner that stopped them cold:
Do not eat until you have read the Word.
This is what they had been doing for the last year, and it was confirmation of their conviction.
In this episode of Lion Roars from Zion, Elizabeth gets raw and real. She shares the morning routine — the non-negotiable first hour where she and her husband meet Jesus together before they meet the day.
What You'll Hear
✔️Why Rick Renner says the Greek word zao ("alive") is missing from much of the modern church — and how to get it back
✔️The shocking story from Nehemiah 8 where the people refused to eat until they heard the Word read
✔️Why verse-by-verse, word-by-word preaching has evaporated — and why this generation is starving for it
✔️The chef's tragedy: how preachers can feed others while starving themselves
✔️A young man's testimony after visiting their house church: "You are all in.”
Listen and be encouraged.

E96 The sin Jesus called eternal and what it actually is

You've heard about it. The one sin God won't forgive. The unpardonable sin. Blasphemy against the Holy Spirit.
Maybe you've even lost sleep over it. Wondering if a bad thought, a careless word, or a season of doubt put you beyond God's reach.
Let me put your mind at ease.
In this episode, we dive deep into Mark 3:24-29 — the passage where Jesus talks about a divided kingdom, a strong man being tied up, and an eternal sin. But here's what most people miss: Jesus wasn't threatening insecure believers. He was dismantling a specific lie from religious leaders who called good evil.
We'll break down:
• Why a kingdom divided against itself cannot stand — and what that reveals about Satan
• Who the "Strong Man" really is, and how Jesus tied him up to plunder his house
• The difference between blasphemy against Jesus and blasphemy against the Holy Spirit
• Why the unforgivable sin isn't what you think — and why worrying about it is actually a good sign
• A teaching from Rick Renner on the Holy Spirit as a jealous, Divine Lover
Whether you've been terrified by this passage for years or you're just curious what Jesus actually meant, this episode will give you clarity, relief, and a fresh picture of your authority in Christ.
The Strong Man is tied up. You are the plunder. And forgiveness is still on the table.

E95 The bridegroom’s voice: A journey of divine romance

What if the most passionate love song ever written isn’t really about human romance at all?
In this episode, we’re stepping into the mysterious, poetic beauty of the Song of Solomon—not as an ancient curiosity, but as a divine mirror. A prophecy. A love letter from the King of Kings to you.
We’ll walk through chapter 2, verses 8–17, and discover a Bridegroom who doesn’t wait at a distance, but leaps over mountains to reach His beloved. We’ll hear His tender invitation: “Arise, come with me. The winter is past.” And we’ll sit in the stunning truth that your voice is sweet to God, and your face—yes, yours—is lovely to Him.
This isn’t abstract theology. It’s the heart of the gospel: a pursuing, boundary-shattering, death-defeating love.
So close your eyes. Let the spring morning wash over you. And listen closely—because the Lion of Judah is roaring, not just in power, but in passionate love for His bride.
Key passages: Song of Solomon 2:8–17, Hebrews 12:1–2, 2 Corinthians 5:17
Theme: Intimacy with God / Biblical poetry / Gospel as love story
🎧 Tune in, and hear Him say to you: “Arise, my darling, my beautiful one—come with me.”

E94 The sign of Jonah: Confronting the apathy of the age

What do you do when you've seen God move—maybe even experienced it yourself—and somehow, it's still not enough? You find yourself waiting for the next thing, the next sign, the next proof that God is really there.
You're not alone. A crowd gathered around Jesus in Luke 11 had seen miracle after miracle. And their response was basically: "Okay, but what else you got?"
Jesus' answer is one of the most challenging passages in the Gospels. He calls them a "wicked generation" and says the only sign they'll get is the sign of Jonah. But what does that mean? And what does it have to do with an ancient prophet, a pagan queen, and a city that repented without a single miracle?
In this episode, we unpack:
· Why asking for signs can actually reveal a heart problem · The two layers of the sign of Jonah—death/resurrection and prophetic proclamation · How the Queen of Sheba and the Ninevites will actually stand to condemn us · What it means that "something greater than Solomon" and "something greater than Jonah" is here · How to move from being a demanding consumer to a responsive disciple
If you've ever felt bored with your faith, or found yourself waiting for God to prove Himself one more time, this episode is for you. Because something greater is already here.

E93 From Slaves to Sons (The Journey of Grace)

We all know the story of the prodigal son—the younger brother who runs off, wastes everything, and comes home to a father who forgives him. It's a beautiful picture of grace.
But what about the older brother? He stayed home. He did everything right. And yet, he was just as lost—living like a servant instead of a son.
In this episode, we explore the journey from slavery to sonship. Drawing from Romans 6 and the parable in Luke 15, we look at what it really means to be free. Not free to do whatever we want, but free to live as children of God—with full access to everything the Father has.
We'll talk about:
· Why the younger son wanted ownership but ended up with nothing · Why the older son had access to everything but lived like he had nothing · What Paul means when he says we're "slaves to righteousness" (Romans 6) · How we move from fear and guilt to freedom and joy · Why we're not meant to live in torment—and how we can be the ones turning the tables on the enemy · How all of this connects to being part of one body, one family (Romans 12)
Whether you relate more to the runaway or the rule-follower, this episode invites you to stop living like a hired hand and start living like a son. Like a daughter. Everything the Father has is yours.
Thank you for listening! May the Heavenly Father bless you and keep you and make His face to shine upon you. May He lift up His countenance upon you and give you shalom.

E92 The empty tomb and the evidence of Your breakthrough

What does your "empty tomb" look like?
The place where a promise seems to have died, a dream feels stolen, or a situation appears hopeless? In this powerful episode of Lion Roars from Zion, we go beyond a superficial glance at the resurrection story and discover a life-changing blueprint for how we confront our own dead ends.
Most of us are like Mary Magdalene at the tomb—we see one piece of circumstantial evidence and jump to the worst conclusion: "It's gone. God has failed me." But what if the emptiness itself is the very proof of a miracle?
We're diving deep into John 20:1-10 to unpack the three distinct postures at the tomb:
· Mary's Superficial Conclusion: Seeing a little and assuming the worst.
· The Beloved Disciple's Hesitant Glance: Peering in from a distance but failing to fully engage.
· Peter's Forensic Faith: The bold decision to run into the confusion and scrutinize the evidence.
This isn't just a Bible story; it's a masterclass in shifting from a victim mentality to a victorious one. You will learn how to identify the "folded grave cloths" in your own life—the subtle but powerful evidence that God has been at work all along, and that your breakthrough isn't stolen; it's resurrected.
Join us for a profound 15-minute journey that includes a guided "Forensic Faith" activation prayer, empowering you to run into your own empty places, confront the lies of the enemy with the evidence of God's word, and move from confusion to unwavering belief.
Key Takeaways:
· Why we must challenge our initial, flawed premises about God in hard times.
· The crucial difference between glancing at a problem and examining it with faith.
· How to identify the "evidence" of God's resurrection power in your dead situation.
· A powerful prayer activation to shift your perspective from loss to victory.
Tune in and learn how to have a faith that doesn't just glance at the stone, but runs into the tomb and finds proof of the resurrection.