The expression “a rod of iron” occurs four times in the Word of God, and in all four cases, it is connected with the coming judgment and subsequent reign of our Lord Jesus Christ. We know that the hope of every true believer today is for the Lord Jesus to come and take us home to be with Himself, as He has promised. It is true that He has waited a long time for that day, and His bride has waited a long time too. But “yet a little while, and He that shall come will come, and will not tarry” (Heb. 10:3737For yet a little while, and he that shall come will come, and will not tarry. (Hebrews 10:37)).
Then after we are called home, there will be a period of at least seven years, often termed the “tribulation week,” and at the end of that week, the Lord Jesus will come back to this world in judgment. It is only by judgment that peace and blessing will come to this world, for real peace cannot be established until our blessed Savior has taken His rightful place. Scripture calls His coming in judgment “the appearing,” for at that time He will be seen by all in this world. He will not be seen by the unbelieving world when He comes to call His bride home.
A Strong Hand
The expression “a rod of iron” is somewhat frightening at first glance, for it presents to our minds a rod of strong metal, evidently to be used by One who takes control of this world and rules with power. We have the expression in the English language, “He rules with an iron hand,” suggesting to our minds someone who will not allow any challenge to his authority.
The first use of this expression in Scripture does indeed convey this very thought, for in Psalm 2:99Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel. (Psalm 2:9) we read, “Thou shalt break them with a rod of iron; Thou shalt dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel.” This psalm prophesies the rejection of the Lord Jesus and the desire of man to take over this world for himself. Man’s thoughts are to cast off all restraint and to refuse to own that the Lord Jesus is the rightful King. But God has His purposes too, and His purposes are to exalt His beloved Son as Head over all things. When the Lord Jesus comes back to take His place as King, He will overthrow with a strong hand — a rod of iron — all who oppose Him. A rod of iron is a very appropriate picture of how the Lord Jesus will carry out judgment.
To the Overcomer
The other three references to our Lord’s use of a rod of iron are all found in the book of Revelation, and we will present them as they appear in the J. N. Darby translation:
“He that overcomes, and he that keeps unto the end My works, to him will I give authority over the nations, and he shall shepherd them with an iron rod; as vessels of pottery are they broken in pieces, as I also have received of My Father” (Rev. 2:2727And 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. (Revelation 2:27) JND).
What is noteworthy in all three verses is that the word “shepherd” is used instead of the word “break” or “rule,” as it is translated in the KJV. Why is a gentler word used here, instead of a stronger word?
The Rod and the Staff
I would suggest that there are two thoughts brought together in the use of the word “shepherd.” In Psalm 23:44Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me. (Psalm 23:4), we read, “Thy rod and Thy staff they comfort me.” Here the word “rod” has a similar meaning to the word “rod” in the expression “rod of iron,” but the rod of Psalm 23 was never used on the sheep. Rather, it was a defensive weapon, to be used against predators and others who might come to harm the sheep. The staff of Psalm 23 was used to rescue the sheep, and it is sometimes called a “crook,” for it was used to pull the sheep out of a difficult place or to guide them in the right path.
I would suggest that the use of the word “rod” in Psalm 23 gives us the key to the understanding of the word “shepherd” in the verses in Revelation referring to a rod of iron. First of all, the Lord Jesus will indeed rule with an iron rod during the entire day of the Lord. The day of the Lord commences with the judgments at the end of the tribulation period and continues right through the 1000-year millennial reign of Christ, including the judgments at the end of the millennium. A rod of iron will be needed, for even in the rich blessing of that 1000 years, sin will occasionally rear its head. We know too that when Satan is loosed “for a little season” at the end of that time, a rebellion of vast proportions will take place against Christ and His faithful ones. The Lord Jesus will deal with all this with a strong hand. His people will also represent His power in putting down evil, for we are told that all who have part in the first resurrection “shall reign with Him a thousand years” (Rev. 20:66Blessed and holy is he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)). According to Revelation 2:2727And 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. (Revelation 2:27), those who are overcomers in the day of His rejection will also exercise power over those who oppose Him.
Protection
However, the word “shepherd” also conveys the thought that there is protection for those who belong to the Lord. When the Lord brings His people into earthly blessing in the millennium, whether the nation of Israel or the “great multitude” that will be saved by the preaching of the gospel of the kingdom during the tribulation week, they will be shepherded by the Lord. All through the wonderful millennial day, the Lord will act as a Shepherd to them — providing for their every need and protecting them with His iron rod. We read in Isaiah 40:1111He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young. (Isaiah 40:11), “He shall feed His flock like a Shepherd: He shall gather the lambs with His arm, and carry them in His bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young.” Likewise we read, “I will set up one Shepherd over them, and He shall feed them” (Ezek. 34:2323And I will set up one shepherd over them, and he shall feed them, even my servant David; he shall feed them, and he shall be their shepherd. (Ezekiel 34:23)). These scriptures point to that day when the Lord will be a Shepherd to His people on earth, caring for them in every way and using the iron rod for their protection.
Surely the Lord is our Shepherd now, and He looks after us in every way. However, He does not openly intervene with His iron rod, for today is the time of His rejection. His shepherding care is manifested in other ways, and His protection takes place providentially, often by angels who are, for the most part, unseen. But in a coming day the iron rod will be evident, for “every eye shall see Him,” and all will be compelled to own His authority and power as the rightful King.
W. J. Prost