Pope Shenouda III
Although Christ is a descendant of David genealogically, yet He said in the Book of Revelation: "I am the Root and the Offspring of David' (Rev. 22:16). The term 'Offspring of David' is clear and understood because He is a descendant of David, but the term 'Root' means that He existed before David. One of the priests around the Divine throne testified to this fact and said to John the Visionary: "Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the
Root of David, has prevailed' (Rev. 5:5).