Who is the man-child who was to rule all nations with a rod of iron?
The man-child is the Messiah, the Christ child born at Bethlehem through Israel, who is destined to rule all nations with a rod of iron as King of kings and Lord of lords, and who was caught up to God and His throne in the Ascension.
Les explains that the woman represents Israel, and the delivery is the birth of the Christ child at Bethlehem. The man-child is therefore the Messiah, who came through Israel as the vehicle. Les notes that this child is the One depicted from the onset of human history as destined to rule the world as His kingdom, as King of kings and Lord of lords. The dragon, Satan, stood ready to devour the child at birth, which is why the decree went out to kill all boy babies under two. The child being caught up to God and His throne refers to the Ascension.
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.