Jesus will rule the nations with a rod of iron, meaning absolute, righteous, and benevolent authority, after He destroys the rebellious nations with His spoken Word.
Les Feldick clarifies that the rod of iron does not imply cruelty but absolute power and fairness. His rule will be characterized by righteousness, no corruption, and no disobedience. The destruction of nations occurs before His rule, accomplished by His spoken Word, pictured as a sharp sword from His mouth.
Revelation 19:15 — This verse directly states that out of His mouth goes a sharp sword to smite the nations, and He shall rule them with a rod of iron.
Revelation 19:15 — This verse connects His smiting of nations with His subsequent rule, showing the sequence of destruction then rule.
The Bible reveals that at His return, Jesus will smite the nations with a sharp sword that proceeds out of His mouth (Revelation 19:15). This destruction precedes His rule, and after it is completed, He will rule the nations with a rod of iron (Revelation 19:15). The imagery of treading the winepress is also used to describe the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God (Revelation 19:15). The Bible further states that on His vesture and thigh a name is written, King of kings, and Lord of lords (Revelation 19:16).
Les Feldick teaches that when Jesus returns, He will first smite the nations with His spoken Word, not with a literal sword. This destruction is pictured as a sharp sword from His mouth (Clip 1, Clip 6). After He finishes this destruction, the curse is lifted, and the kingdom comes in. Then He will rule the nations with a rod of iron, which does not mean a cruel rule but absolute authority. His rule will be benevolent, just, fair, and without any 'funny business' (Clip 1, Clip 2). Les further explains that the Beatitudes are the constitution of His government, reaching their full meaning in the kingdom, where the meek and poor are blessed in a way that does not fit the church age (Clip 1, Clip 5). The rod of iron signifies that there will be no corruption, bribery, or disobedience, and His rule will be absolutely righteous (Clip 2, Clip 3). Les also clarifies that He will not need advisors or a cabinet, for His power and authority are absolute (Clip 3). The winepress imagery refers to the armies gathered in the valleys of Israel, where millions of troops will be destroyed in one sweeping act of God's wrath (Clip 0).
No, Les Feldick emphasizes that the rod of iron does not mean a cruel rule. Instead, it depicts absolute authority and a benevolent, just, and fair reign. There will be no 'monkey business,' corruption, bribery, or disobedience. The rod of iron signifies absolute rule with no compromise.
Les Feldick explains that Jesus will first smite the nations with His spoken Word after His destruction is finished. Then the curse is lifted and the kingdom comes in, and only then does He rule them with a rod of iron. The smiting is a destructive act, and the ruling is a subsequent gentle but absolute authority.
The Beatitudes are described as the constitution of His government. They will come into their full definition in the kingdom. For example, 'Blessed are the meek' and 'Blessed are the poor' do not fit the church age, but they will be fully realized under Christ's rule. The kingdom will be a time of blessedness and no unhappiness.
The winepress symbolizes the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Les Feldick explains that the winepress refers to the valleys of Israel where millions of troops will be gathered and destroyed in one sweeping act. These armies come to annihilate Israel but are instead placed in God's wine vat for destruction.
Winepress: Armies in Valleys of Israel
Les teaches that the winepress symbolizes the valleys of Israel where God will gather and destroy millions of military troops in His wrath.
Spoken Word, Rod of Iron, and Beatitudes
Les explains that Jesus smites nations with His spoken Word, then rules with a rod of iron, which is not cruel but absolute. He also calls the Beatitudes the constitution of His kingdom.
Rod of Iron Means Absolute Righteous Rule
Les clarifies that the rod of iron indicates absolute power and a righteous rule with no corruption, bribery, or disobedience.
No Advisors Needed in His Rule
Les notes that when Christ rules, He will not need advisors or a cabinet, as His power and authority are absolute, and He will rule with righteousness and fairness.
What Happens When God's Wrath Replaces Grace — Revelation 9 & 11
Now can't you imagine what this world would be like if it was totally ruled and reigned over by Satan as it will one day be ruled by Christ? See, Satan is still held in check by God's checks and balances, as we call it. Satan can only just do so much. Now he is the god of this world. He certainly is in control, but he's still under the sovereign God.
Beatitudes as Constitution of Kingdom
Les connects the Beatitudes to Christ's rule, stating they are the constitution of His kingdom, and they do not fit the church age.
Sharp Sword Smites Nations
Les reiterates that the sharp sword from His mouth represents judgment and wrath upon the nations, and after that He will rule them.
Why the Church Will Not Go Through the Tribulation
Listen we don't have to shrink from anybody, because look what He is, "...and he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, King of kings, and Lord of lords." Now you can't add anything to that, can you? That is the epitome of His power, and it's coming. And we're going to be part and parcel of it, if we have trusted the Gospel. And we're going to rule, Paul says, and reign with Him.
Revelation 19:15: 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.
This verse directly answers the question, showing the sequence of smiting nations with His word and then ruling with a rod of iron.
Revelation 19:16: And he hath on his vesture and on his thigh a name written, KING OF KINGS, AND LORD OF LORDS.
This verse confirms His supreme authority to rule absolutely.
Revelation 19:15: 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.
Used multiple times in evidence to emphasize the means of destruction and rule.
Matthew 5:3: Blessed are the poor in spirit: for theirs is the kingdom of heaven.
Les references the Beatitudes as the constitution of His kingdom, where the poor are blessed.
Matthew 5:5: Blessed are the meek: for they shall inherit the earth.
Les mentions this in connection with the Beatitudes and the kingdom rule.
Revelation 19:15b: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
This phrase is used to explain the winepress imagery of destruction.
No. Les Feldick explains that the rod of iron does not mean a cruel rule but absolute authority. His rule will be benevolent, just, and fair, with no corruption or disobedience.
He will smite the nations with His spoken Word, pictured as a sharp sword from His mouth. This is a reference to His judgment and wrath upon the nations.
The winepress symbolizes the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God. Les teaches that it represents the valleys of Israel where armies will be gathered and destroyed.
Les says the Beatitudes are the constitution of Christ's government. They will reach their full meaning in the kingdom when the meek and poor are blessed, which doesn't fit the church age.
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