Jesus also, that he might sanctify the people with his own blood, suffered outside the gate. Therefore, let us go forth to him outside the camp, bearing his reproach. For we have no continuing city here, but we seek one to come.
Select a thought to read by choosing a collection, the month, and then the day:
“To him who overcomes and maintains my ways until the end will I give authority over the nations, and he will rule them with a rod of iron, the way potters’ vessels are shattered (as I also have received from my Father), and I will give him the morning star. He who has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit is saying to the Assemblies.”
Jesus, in Revelation 2:26-29
The thousand-year reign with Christ is characterized by the phrase “with a rod of iron.” But from whose perspective will his reign be as “with an iron rod”? Certainly those reigning with him will not think so. The saints who reign with him will rejoice that he has come to reign. His reign will be the answer to their prayers. All his judgments will seem right and just to them. They will love him and will love every decision that he makes; they will see no reason not to rejoice at whatever he will do.
It is the wicked who will feel that Jesus is a cruel and hateful ruler. They will despise his judgments and will feel his wrath when they rebel.
The judgments of God seem too harsh to some people right now. Many refuse to acknowledge that those judgments are His judgments at all, and they even will condemn those who dare to declare them. You are blessed if (1) you recognize God’s judgments as really being of God and (2) you feel joy in your heart when those judgments are given. Every righteous soul who has ever lived has longed for God’s judgments and rejoiced when they came. But to every wicked soul, the judgments of God are oppressive and unjust, and they complain as if they are being ruled by a king whose scepter is “a rod of iron.”