Template:Iron rod

The Rod of iron

Revelation 19:15 "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: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty."

Actual swords are not held in the mouth. So the use of this sword denotes something else other than an actual cutting sword. The word sharp which is translated from 'oxus' also appears as sharp and swift.

The word 'mouth' can reference words. We have all heard that the pen is mightier than the sword.

In Matthew 4:4, we see, "But he answered and said, It is written, Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceedeth out of the mouth of God."

The word 'smite' is also of interest. It is translated from 'patasso' meaning smite or strike but is defined "1) to strike gently: as a part or a member of the body." It is also defined, "2) to stroke, smite: with the sword, to afflict, to visit ..." But this is a sword that comes out of the mouth which may be the word of God that comes swiftly.

The word 'rule' is very important. But which Greek word is it that is translated into 'rule'. There are five different words that appear as rule in the New Testament.

The word 'archo' is translated "rule over, reign over". It also produces the word 'archon' meaning a "a ruler, commander, chief" and is translated "ruler, prince, chief, magistrate, chief ruler". But this is not the Greek word here.

Another word like 'kanon' is translated 'rule' and means '1) a rod or straight piece of rounded wood' and is a metaphor for 'any rule or standard, a principle or law of investigating, judging, living, acting'

And the word 'proistemi' is translated rule 5 times and means "1) to set or place before 1a) to set over... 1d) to care for, give attention to"

The word 'hegeomai' appears three times as "have rule over" or twice as "be governor" and can mean "to lead" as in "to go before" or "to rule, command, to have authority over. a prince, of regal power, governor, viceroy, chief, leading as respects influence, controlling in counsel, overseers or leaders of the churches... leader in speech, chief, spokesman" It can also mean "to consider, deem, account, think"

In Revelations we find only the word 'poimaino' which is a verb meaning "to feed, to tend a flock, keep sheep ... to cherish one's body, to serve the body."

The phrase "and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God." Can give us the idea of ferocious violence. The word wrath is from the word 'orge' which can merely mean the actions of a magistrate. Words like fierceness which is from 'thumos' which can denote passion and ardour. But we see these words associated in the text with the metaphor of the winepress. These words are not associated with word like furnace or 'the pit'. A wine press is used to press grapes for the making of wine which is a good thing. Wine presses are made to crush the grape without crushing the seed and is part of the process of producing a useable finished product. It is the culmination of the harvest.

Another way to say this is:

Revelation 19:15 And out of his mouth comes the swift cutting words, that with it he should touch the nations: and he shall feed them with a a strong Royal scepter: and he treadeth the winepress with passion and God's good judgment.

How does God do this. He does this through his sons and daughters and servants who rightly divide the truth because God writes His laws upon their hearts and upon their minds.

Notwithstanding I have a few things against thee, because thou sufferest that woman Jezebel, which calleth herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols. And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not. Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds. And I will kill her children with death; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searcheth the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works. But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden. But that which ye have already hold fast till I come. And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father. And I will give him the morning star. He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches. God. Revelation 2:25-29

And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. And she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron: and her child was caught up unto God, and [to] his throne.

And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death. Revelation 12:1-11