Rastas regard Haile Selassie I (left) as the Living God, Jesus returned. His
Imperial Majesty Haile Selassie I was born Ras (Prince) Tafari in Ejarsa
Gora, Ethiopia on July 23, 1892, the baby of a nobleman named Ras Makonnen.
Obviously, the term Rastafari comes from the name Ras Tafari, Selassie's
given name.
As Marcus Garvey left Jamaica for the final time in the 1920's, he allegedly prophesied that one much more worthy would come (much like John the Baptist did) and reign as the Black Redeemer. It is important to note that there is no documentation that Garvey ever actually said this, though it is widely believed.
In November of 1930, young Tafari gained the throne as Ethiopia's emperor, choosing the name Haile Selassie (Might of the Trinity), as well as adopting the title the "Lion of Judah" and encouraging the idea that he was of direct lineage from King Solomon and the Queen of Sheba. For those who believed in Garvey's prophecy, this was indeed a welcome surprise. Selassie's claims certainly did nothing to quell the growing excitement that Selassie was more than human.
And one of the elders saith unto me, Weep not: behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, hath prevailed to open the book, and to loose the seven seals thereof. (Revelations 5:5)
This verse is often quoted by Rastas, and they claim it is obviously referring to Selassie. This section of Revelations describes the return of Jesus to fight and destroy Babylon once and for all, and therefore Rastas generally place a strong emphasis on the idea that Armageddon (Amagideon) is fast approaching, as Selassie has already loosed some of the Seven Seals. "Babylon is Falling," many Rastas will shout, praying that this Biblical Revelation will occur, returning Jah's Children to the everlasting state of Zion. For more Biblical evidence of many Rasta concepts, check Ras Samson's website livicated to Rasta.