Ruling with a Rod of Iron

In the Book of Revelation, there are three difference instances of a person or people who were seen ruling “with a rod of iron.”  The first mention was in the letter to the church at Thyatira.  Speaking of him who “overcometh, and keepeth [God’s] works unto the end”, the Lord said, “And he shall rule [the nations] with a rod of iron” (Revelation 2:26-27).  The second mention of this phrase comes in the description of the woman “clothed with the sun” who was “with child.”  According to the JST this woman represented the church of God, and we read that “she brought forth a man child, who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron” (Revelation 12:4-5).  The last reference to this phrase is found in the description of the Savior towards the end of the book: “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 God” (Revelation 19:15). In all three of these cases the person ruling with the rod of iron was righteous, so I think we can consider that “ruling with a rod of iron” is a positive thing, not something compulsive or threatening.  So what does it mean? 

                The first thing that comes to mind for me is the vision of the tree of life with its “rod of iron.”  We know from Nephi that the rod of iron in Lehi’s vision “was the word of God” (1 Nephi 15:24).  I think we see evidence that this is in fact the right way to view it in Revelation 19 before the last reference to ruling with a rod of iron.  Of the person who was to rule with a rod of iron John told us “his name is called The Word of God” (Revelation 19:13).  So if ruling with a rod of iron equates to ruling with the word of God, what does it mean to rule with the word of God?  There are perhaps a couple ways to interpret that.  One could be that the ruler teaches the people the word of God, and then that governs the people.  This is the way that Joseph “ruled” the early Saints: “I teach them correct principles, and they govern themselves” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph Smith, Chapter 24).  That is how we should lead others if such is our duty in the Church: we teach the word of God and let that rule in the lives of the people without compulsion.  Another way that one might rule with the word of God is that the word of God governs all of his or her actions and choices related to leading a people.  Moses would be a good example—he obtained the word of God in a dramatic way and that was the basis for everything he did as a leader of the people.  The word of God ruled his life as a prophet. 

                I don’t claim to understand all of the symbolism related to these three instances of someone ruling with a rod of iron.  But I think it is a great message for us to help us learn how to both lead and discipline ourselves: the great measuring rod and most powerful force for us is and always will be the word of God.