Now for the "Rod of Iron," as found between the chapters of 2 and 3 in the Mirror Study Bible, as selection of NT texts paraphrased from the Greek by Francois du Toit. And a fine work it is.
In Revelation 2:26-27 we find this: "'Seeing My victory as your victory makes you the over comer. By embracing the [1]completeness of My works as your [2]treasure, you realize My authority in you to posses the nations. (Verses 23, 'the [1]success of My works is to your credit.' The words (1, G891, and G5056) ἄχρι τέλος, achri telous, suggest, taking My words to its full conclusion. The word [2, G5083] terreo translated as keepeth, means to value, to treasure, to guard with great care. Look again at Psalm 2:7-8 [also verse 9 as referenced in the next of verse 27. And understand this has two meanings. One of Jesus, the other of knowingly redeemed humanity.] "'You are My Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession.'" Paul quotes Psalm 2 in Acts 13:33 when he preached the resurrection of Jesus and in Ephesians 2:5, Colossians 3:1-3, where he celebrates our co-begotteness! Also Peter announces that we were born anew when Jesus was raised from the dead in 1Peter 1:3. The word [2, G1849 from G1832 from a compound of G1537 and G1510 ] exousia, often translated authority has two components, (G1537) ek, out of, source and (G1510) eimi, I am! The preposition [3, G1909] epi, suggests continual influence upon, from a position of authority.) You will [1]shepherd the nations with a royal scepter and shatter [2]their 'alienated mindsets' like a potter's vessel of clay. (He quotes Psalm 2:9, 'You shall break them with a rod of iron, and dash them in pieces like a potter's vessel.' Sadly the Hebrew Masoretic Text uses the word (H7489) רָעַע râ‛a‛, - to be bad, to be evil; to be displeasing; to be injurious; to be wicked; to do an injury or hurt; to be mischief, instead of the same sounding word, (H7462) רָעָה râ‛âh, with a Hay at the end and not an Ayin, which means to Shepherd! Also in the Septuagint, the Greek word (G4165 from G4166) ποιμαίνω poimainō, is used! You shall feed them as a shepherd nurtures his flock. With refernce to the [2]alienated mindset that rules the nations see Numbers 24:17, "A speter shall rise out of Israel; It shall crush the forehead of Moab (mindset)!" The Shepherd's staff was never intended to beat up the sheep but to protect and free them from any possible threat!
To appreciate it's prophetic context, look at LXX [Septuagint] rendering of Psalm 2:2-3, 'The rulers of the world order have set themselves up against the Christ; Let us break apart their chains and cast off their yokes.' From the heavens, however, the LORD breaks out in laughter and says [6-9], 'I was appointed under Him as King on Zion, My holy hill. Announcing the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, You are My Son, today I have begotten you. Ask of Me, and I will make the nations your heritage, and the ends of the earth your possession. You shall shepherd them with a rod of iron, and dash them ['their distorted mindsets'] in pieces like a potter's vessel.'"
In Acts 13, Luke records the launch of Paul's missionary journeys from Antioch. This is where he and Barnabas established the first church. he gives powerful context to psalm 2 in recording the impact of the gospel in Paul and Barnabas' ministry into the gentile world. Paul clearly sees the prophetic context of psalm 2 as pointing to mankind's co-begottenness in the resurrection of Jesus from the dead! This revelation will conquer the nations! He preached the resurrection of Jesus and quotes Psalm 2:9. also in his discourse with the Greek Philosophers in Acts 17, Paul reminds them that their own writings record this fact, that we live and move and have our being in GOD and that we are indeed His offspring.
Look at Isaiah 9:2-4, The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; Those who dwelt in a land of deep darkness, on them light shone. Thou hast multiplied the nation, thou hast increased its joy; They rejoice before thee as with joy at the harvest, as men rejoice when they divide the spoil. For the yoke of his burden, and the staff for his shoulder, the rod of His oppressor, thou hast broken as on the day of Midian! Remember Gideon's strategy of hiding lamps in clay jars when they defeated the mighty Midians who out-numbered them by far! Bonsai (quarreling, contentious) mindsets have trapped the nations of the world for centuries! But this is the day where the mystery that was hidden in clay pots for ages and generations shall be revealed! he is what heaven and earth were waiting for! All flesh shall see it together! Haggai 2:6-7; Colossians 1:27; Isaiah 40:5. In Acts 13:47 Paul quotes Isaiah 49:6 in the context of his ministry, "For so the LORD has commissioned us, saying, 'I have set you to be a light for the nations, that you may bring salvation to the uttermost parts of the earth!'" For unto us a child in born!....Father of the ages, Prince of peace!...And of the increase of His government and of peace there will be no end, upon the Throne of David, and over his kingdom, to establish it, and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and for evermore. The zeal of the LORD of hosts will do this! Isaiah 9:6-7. Revelation 11:15, 'The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Master and of His Anointed, and he shall reign forever and ever." (The Mirror, with editing.)
Now for chapter 3 in our next visitation., the LORD willing.
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