The Iron Rod & the Sword of Truth

In Revelation 2:27 it is written “And he [Jesus Christ] shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers”. The Psalmist, King David, wrote, “Thou [he, the King] shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.” (Psalms 2:9) Regarding the mother of Jesus Christ and the iron rod, John wrote in Revelation 12:5 , “And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron.” Revelation 19:15 says, “And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron”. Jesus Christ rules with a scepter. This scepter is the iron rod. Those who seek to hold his iron rod seek to use his iron rod, and his word, to rule over others. Those who seek to grab onto his rod with their hands are not in Christ; In 1 John 2:28, we have each been commanded to abide in Jesus Christ. (also see John 15:4-11) The word abide means “to remain”. We are to remain in Jesus Christ and bear patiently in him. When we abide in Jesus Christ, he is our abode and through him we hold his iron rod without holding instead. Neither do we seek to grab his sword mentioned in Revelation 19:15, for Jesus Christ strikes with the sword of his mouth. Jesus Christ said in the gospel of John, “I am the truth” thus the sword of his mouth is the sword of truth. “For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12) It is here in Hebrews 4:12 that we are told Jesus Christ’s iron rod is not the word of God, but rather, the word of God is the sword of his mouth which is “piercing even to the dividing of soul and spirit.” May we all continue to abide in Jesus Christ and seek not to hold his iron rod but to abide in him through whom this rod is held and continue with faith for Jesus Christ is our abode and the scriptures state that those who are not in him shall be dashed to pieces like vessels of potter by his iron rod. They are those who have sought to rule over others in Christ. For Jesus said, “Many will say to me in that day, ‘Lord, Lord, have we not prophesied in thy name? and in thy name have cast out devils? and in thy name done many wonderful works?’ And then will I profess unto them, I never knew you: depart from me, ye that work iniquity.” (Matthew 7:23)