Revelation 2:27 - To the Church in Thyatira

Audio Bible

Context

To the Church in Thyatira
…26And to the one who overcomes and continues in My work until the end, I will give authority over the nations. 27 He will rule them with an iron scepter and shatter them like pottery— just as I have received authority from My Father. 28And I will give him the morning star.…

Cross References

Psalm 2:8-9
Ask Me, and I will make the nations Your inheritance, the ends of the earth Your possession. / You will break them with an iron scepter; You will shatter them like pottery.”Revelation 12:5
And she gave birth to a son, a male child, who will rule all the nations with an iron scepter. And her child was caught up to God and to His throne.Revelation 19:15
And from His mouth proceeds a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God the Almighty.Daniel 7:27
Then the sovereignty, dominion, and greatness of the kingdoms under all of heaven will be given to the people, the saints of the Most High. His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will serve and obey Him.’Isaiah 30:14
It will break in pieces like a potter’s jar, shattered so that no fragment can be found. Not a shard will be found in the dust large enough to scoop the coals from a hearth or to skim the water from a cistern.”Jeremiah 19:11
and you are to proclaim to them that this is what the LORD of Hosts says: I will shatter this nation and this city, like one shatters a potter’s jar that can never again be repaired. They will bury the dead in Topheth until there is no more room to bury them.Psalm 149:6-9
May the high praises of God be in their mouths, and a double-edged sword in their hands, / to inflict vengeance on the nations and punishment on the peoples, / to bind their kings with chains and their nobles with shackles of iron, ...1 Corinthians 15:25
For He must reign until He has put all His enemies under His feet.Hebrews 1:8-9
But about the Son He says: “Your throne, O God, endures forever and ever, and justice is the scepter of Your kingdom. / You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You above Your companions with the oil of joy.”Isaiah 11:4
but with righteousness He will judge the poor, and with equity He will decide for the lowly of the earth. He will strike the earth with the rod of His mouth and slay the wicked with the breath of His lips.Micah 5:15
I will take vengeance in anger and wrath upon the nations that have not obeyed Me.”Zechariah 9:10
And I will cut off the chariot from Ephraim and the horse from Jerusalem, and the bow of war will be broken. Then He will proclaim peace to the nations. His dominion will extend from sea to sea, and from the Euphrates to the ends of the earth.Psalm 110:1-2
A Psalm of David. The LORD said to my Lord: “Sit at My right hand until I make Your enemies a footstool for Your feet.” / The LORD extends Your mighty scepter from Zion: “Rule in the midst of Your enemies.”1 Corinthians 6:2-3
Do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if you are to judge the world, are you not competent to judge trivial cases? / Do you not know that we will judge angels? How much more the things of this life!Matthew 19:28
Jesus said to them, “Truly I tell you, in the renewal of all things, when the Son of Man sits on His glorious throne, you who have followed Me will also sit on twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

Revelation 12:5
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.

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.

Psalm 2:8,9
Ask of me, and I shall give thee the heathen for thine inheritance, and the uttermost parts of the earth for thy possession…

even.

Matthew 11:27
All things are delivered unto me of my Father: and no man knoweth the Son, but the Father; neither knoweth any man the Father, save the Son, and he to whomsoever the Son will reveal him.

Luke 22:29
And I appoint unto you a kingdom, as my Father hath appointed unto me;

John 17:24
Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.

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Revelation 2

He will rule them with an iron scepter
This phrase draws from Psalm 2:9, where the Messiah is prophesied to rule with a rod of iron. The imagery of an iron scepter signifies unyielding authority and strength. In ancient times, a scepter was a symbol of royal power and governance. The use of "iron" emphasizes the firmness and invincibility of Christ's rule. This reflects the ultimate authority of Jesus over the nations, indicating a reign that is both just and powerful. The concept of ruling with an iron scepter also suggests the enforcement of divine justice and the establishment of God's kingdom on earth.

and shatter them like pottery—
The imagery of shattering pottery signifies the complete and decisive judgment that will be executed upon those who oppose Christ's rule. In the ancient Near East, pottery was a common household item, easily broken and replaced, symbolizing the fragility of human power and rebellion against God. This phrase underscores the inevitability of divine judgment and the futility of resisting God's will. It echoes the prophetic language found in Jeremiah 19:11, where God declares the breaking of a nation like a potter's vessel. The shattering of pottery serves as a metaphor for the destruction of earthly kingdoms that stand against God's anointed.

just as I have received authority from My Father.
This phrase highlights the divine origin and legitimacy of Christ's authority. Jesus' authority is not self-assumed but granted by God the Father, affirming the unity and purpose within the Trinity. This echoes the Great Commission in Matthew 28:18, where Jesus declares that all authority in heaven and on earth has been given to Him. The phrase also reflects the fulfillment of the promise in Psalm 2, where God declares the installation of His King on Zion. It emphasizes the divine mandate and the fulfillment of God's redemptive plan through Jesus Christ, who exercises His authority in accordance with the Father's will.

Persons / Places / Events

1. Jesus Christ
The speaker in this passage, who is addressing the church in Thyatira. He is the one who has received authority from the Father.

2. The Church in Thyatira
One of the seven churches in Asia Minor to whom the Book of Revelation is addressed. Thyatira was known for its trade guilds and was a center of commerce.

3. The Father
Refers to God the Father, who has given authority to Jesus Christ.

4. Nations
The people or groups that are subject to the rule of Christ, symbolized by the iron scepter.

5. Iron Scepter
A symbol of strong and unyielding authority, derived from the imagery in Psalm 2, which is often associated with messianic rule.

Teaching Points

Christ's Authority
Jesus has been given authority by the Father to rule over the nations. This authority is both a comfort and a warning, reminding believers of His sovereign power.

Judgment and Justice
The imagery of shattering pottery signifies the finality and decisiveness of Christ's judgment. Believers are called to live in light of this coming judgment, pursuing righteousness and justice.

Faithfulness in Trials
The message to Thyatira encourages believers to remain faithful amidst trials and temptations, knowing that Christ's authority will ultimately prevail.

Participation in Christ's Reign
Believers are promised a share in Christ's authority if they overcome. This calls for perseverance and faithfulness in their walk with God.

Lists and Questions

Top 10 Lessons from Revelation 2What is God's scepter?Why does archaeology show that Judaism developed gradually rather than being revealed all at once?Revelation 2:28 – How do we reconcile Jesus promising the “morning star” here with Isaiah 14:12’s use of the same term for Lucifer, and does it pose a biblical inconsistency?Why does Psalm 2:9 describe smashing nations with a rod of iron when there's no archaeological evidence of a global Davidic reign?

Verse 27. - The verse is not a parenthesis. He shall rule them. Here; Revelation 12:5; and in Revelation 19:15, the LXX. rendering of Psalm 2:9 is adopted; ποιμανεῖς αὐτούς, "Thou shalt rule them," or more literally, "shalt shepherd them," instead of "shalt break them," which almost certainly is the meaning of the Hebrew. The Hebrew original, trhm without vowel points, may represent either tirhem or terohem; but the latter is required by what follows; "shalt dash them in pieces." Nevertheless, the gentler rendering better suits the requirements of these passages in the Apocalypse. The rule over the nations is to be strong, but it is to be loving also. To those who obey it, it will be a shepherding; only those who resist it will be dashed in pieces. Precisely the same expression is used in Revelation 7:17 of the Lamb shepherding his saints, and in John 21:16 in the charge to St. Peter to shepherd Christ's sheep. It is not easy to determine whether the "rod" (ῤἀβδοσ) is a king's sceptre, as in Hebrews 1:8, or a shepherd's staff, as m 1 Samuel 17:43; Micah 7:14; and Zechariah 11:7. As the vessels of pottery are broken to shivers. The future tense is a false reading; the insertion of "they" - "shall they be broken" - is a false rendering. Συντρίβειν, "to shatter," occurs in a literal sense in Mark 5:4 and John 19:36; and in a figurative sense in Luke 9:39 and Romans 16:20. As I also have received from my Father. The Greek is ὡς κἀγὼ εἴληφα, not καθὼς ἐγὼ ἔλαβον. He shall receive authority from me, as I also have received from my Father (comp. John 17:18; John 20:21; Luke 22:29; Acts 2:33). Parallel Commentaries ...

Greek

He will rule
ποιμανεῖ (poimanei)
Verb - Future Indicative Active - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4165: To shepherd, tend, herd; hence: I rule, govern. From poimen; to tend as a shepherd of.

them
αὐτοὺς (autous)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Accusative Masculine 3rd Person Plural
Strong's 846: He, she, it, they, them, same. From the particle au; the reflexive pronoun self, used of the third person, and of the other persons.

with
ἐν (en)
Preposition
Strong's 1722: In, on, among. A primary preposition denoting position, and instrumentality, i.e. A relation of rest; 'in, ' at, on, by, etc.

an iron
σιδηρᾷ (sidēra)
Adjective - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4603: Made of iron. From sideros; made of iron.

scepter
ῥάβδῳ (rhabdō)
Noun - Dative Feminine Singular
Strong's 4464: A rod, staff, staff of authority, scepter. From the base of rhapizo; a stick or wand.

[and] shatter [them]
συντρίβεται (syntribetai)
Verb - Present Indicative Middle or Passive - 3rd Person Singular
Strong's 4937: From sun and the base of tribos; to crush completely, i.e. To shatter.

like
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

pottery—
κεραμικὰ (keramika)
Adjective - Nominative Neuter Plural
Strong's 2764: Of clay, made by a potter, earthen. From keramos; made of clay, i.e. Earthen.

just as
ὡς (hōs)
Adverb
Strong's 5613: Probably adverb of comparative from hos; which how, i.e. In that manner.

I
κἀγὼ (kagō)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Nominative 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2504: To also, I too, but I. From kai and ego; so also the dative case kamoi, and accusative case kame and I, me.

have received [authority]
εἴληφα (eilēpha)
Verb - Perfect Indicative Active - 1st Person Singular
Strong's 2983: (a) I receive, get, (b) I take, lay hold of.

from
παρὰ (para)
Preposition
Strong's 3844: Gen: from; dat: beside, in the presence of; acc: alongside of.

My
μου (mou)
Personal / Possessive Pronoun - Genitive 1st Person Singular
Strong's 1473: I, the first-person pronoun. A primary pronoun of the first person I.

Father.
Πατρός (Patros)
Noun - Genitive Masculine Singular
Strong's 3962: Father, (Heavenly) Father, ancestor, elder, senior. Apparently a primary word; a 'father'.

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Revelation 2:27 Catholic BibleNT Prophecy: Revelation 2:27 He will rule them with a rod (Rev. Re Apocalypse)