We learn much about the Millennium through Biblical Imagery and symbolism. The Bible writers (under the ministry of God, the Holy Spirit), often taught us by their creation of vivid word pictures and symbolism. Biblical Imagery helps us understand truth through mental pictures. The pictures are “drawn from nature, daily life, or culture.”[1] The symbolism used by the authors creates deeper levels of meaning. In today’s study, we are going to focus on three images: (1) Jesus ruling with a rod of iron, (2) the imprisonment of Satan, and (3) the wolf dwelling with the lamb.
At Psalm 2:6-12, we read as follows:
“But as for Me, I have installed My King upon Zion, My holy mountain. I will announce the decree of the LORD: He said to Me, ‘You are My Son, today I have fathered You. Ask it of Me, and I will certainly give the nations as Your inheritance, and the ends of the earth as Your possession. You shall break them with a rod of iron, You shall shatter them like earthenware.’” Now then, you kings, use insight; Let yourselves be instructed, you judges of the earth. Serve the LORD with reverence and rejoice with trembling. Kiss the Son, that He not be angry and you perish on the way, for His wrath may be kindled quickly. How blessed are all who take refuge in Him!
In my opinion, the return of Jesus Christ to Planet Earth will look like a massive, invading, heavenly army (Rev. 19:11-19). It will look like an interstellar military invasion. Any resistance to His rule will be destroyed. The image of Jesus Christ ruling with a rod of iron is very powerful. A rod or scepter in the hand of a king is symbolic of authority.[2] An iron rod is symbolic of irresistible, powerful and harsh judgment. Most of us do not acknowledge a certain truth about human nature: both believers and unbelievers are often arrogant and resistant toward even legitimate authority.
Psalm, Chapter 2 describes Jesus Christ’s rule on Planet Earth after His return. There will be many survivors of the wars associated with the return of Jesus Christ. Jesus is pictured as ruling with an iron rod because many will still possess their natural, earthly bodies, and some will still be inclined to resist legitimate authority. The Millennium will demonstrate certain truths about human nature. Even when there is a near-perfect environment of peace, prosperity, and impeccable leadership, some humans will still rebel. Fallen humans need strong leadership. Further, the Millennium will demonstrate that we humans have free will, and we will be held accountable for our decisions.
At Zechariah 14:16-19, we learn that humans from the nations of the world will come to Jerusalem every year to worship Jesus, the Son of God. If people and nations refuse to come and worship Jesus, they will experience decisive punishment to include droughts and plagues. The worship of Jesus Christ is a moral issue. There will always be consequences for human disobedience and rebellion toward God.
Of great significance, Jesus Christ will share His rule with faithful believers. Revelation 20:4-6 teaches us that faithful believers will take part in the “first resurrection.” The author of Hebrews called the “first resurrection,” a “better resurrection” (Heb 11:35). John, the Elder explained that they will come “to life and reign… with Christ for a thousand years” (Rev. 20:4). At Revelation 2:26-28, we read Jesus say:
‘The one who overcomes, and the one who keeps My deeds until the end, I will give him authority over the nations; and He shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are shattered, as I also have received authority from My Father;…’
The Apostle Paul taught, “If we endure, we will also reign with Him; If we deny Him, He will also deny us” (2 Tim. 2:12). Humans require strong leadership, particularly fallen humans in their mortal flesh, but we humans are often ambivalent about strong leadership. Weak leadership contributes to chaos and instability, and even if we have perfect leadership, we are inclined to complaining, griping, and slandering. We never want to take responsibility for our arrogance, even if our boss is Jesus Christ. Together with Jesus, faithful believers will also rule with a rod of iron.
The strong leadership of Jesus Christ during the Millennium is going to produce great prosperity and blessing (Jer. 31;12-14; Ezek. 34:25-27; Ezek. 36:29-30, 33-35: Amos 9:13; Zech. 8:12). At Amos 9:13-14, we read:
“Behold, days are coming,” declares the LORD, “When the plowman will overtake the reaper, and the one who treads grapes will overtake him who sows the seed; When the mountains will drip grape juice, and all the hills will come apart. “I will also restore the fortunes of My people Israel, and they will rebuild the desolated cities and live in them; They will also plant vineyards and drink their wine, and make gardens and eat their fruit. “I will also plant them on their land, and they will not be uprooted again from their land which I have given them,” says the LORD your God.
The Millennium will feature great leadership, unprecedented obedience, and tremendous prosperity. All three are connected. Additionally, the great deceiver, Satan, will be imprisoned. Responsible societies must punish and imprison their troublemakers. The Book of Revelation describes the imprisonment of Satan with colorful Biblical Imagery. At Revelation 20:1-3, we read:
Then I saw an angel coming down from heaven, holding the key of the abyss and a great chain in his hand. And he took hold of the dragon, the serpent of old, who is the devil and Satan, and bound him for a thousand years; and he threw him into the abyss and shut it and sealed it over him, so that he would not deceive the nations any longer, until the thousand years were completed; after these things he must be released for a short time.
As we discussed earlier, Biblical Imagery creates vivid mental pictures from daily life and culture. The picture of Satan’s imprisonment is comprised of a key, a great chain, and a bottomless pit. This is a timeless image understandable by any generation over the last 2000 years. Yes, Satan’s prison could be more sophisticated than any modern high-security prison, but Biblical Imagery creates vivid and timeless pictures.
Satan’s imprisonment is an important factor in the blessings and prosperity that will be experienced in the Millennium. While in prison, Satan will not be able to deceive the nations (Rev 20:3). God’s creation was designed to operate according to God’s plan and value system. Satan constantly seeks to deceive humanity so that we would think and function in ways contrary to God’s plan and Divine Order. As we are more and more deceived, we function in ways that bring more suffering and disorder.
The restored order and harmony realized during the Millennial Rule of Jesus Christ is described by various other powerful Biblical Images. At Isaiah 11:6, we read,
And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the young lion and the fattened steer will be together; and a little boy will lead them.
The Millennium will feature an unprecedented harmony between animals and between animals and humans. At Isaiah 65:25, we read, “‘The wolf and lamb will graze together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox; and dust will be the serpent’s food. They will do no evil or harm on all My holy mountain,’ says the Lord.” Ultimately, all of Planet Earth will be the Lord’s holy mountain. It all starts with Jesus Christ ruling Planet Earth with a rod of iron. At Psalm 45:6-7, we read:
Your throne, God, is forever and ever; the scepter of Your kingdom is a scepter of justice. You have loved righteousness and hated wickedness; therefore God, Your God, has anointed You with the oil of joy above Your companions.
The peace and harmony between animals will mirror the unprecedented harmony between humans. There will be great peace and harmony between nations until Satan is released from prison (Rev 20:7-10). Jesus Christ ruling with a rod of iron is the key factor for peace and harmony on Planet Earth.
[1] “Does the Subject of Biblical Imagery include both imagery and symbolism?” prompt. ChatGPT, GPT-4, Open AI, 11 Oct. 2025, chat.openai.com/chat.
[2] “Rod.” Dictionary of Biblical Imagery, edited by Leland Ryken, et al, InterVarsity Press, 1998, p. 734.
