Albert Barnes Commentary Revelation 2:27

"and he shall rule them with a rod of iron, as the vessels of the potter are broken to shivers; as I also have received of my Father:" — Revelation 2:27 (ASV)

And he shall rule them with a rod of iron. There is an allusion here to Psalm 2:9: You shall break them with a rod of iron; you shall dash them in pieces like a potter’s vessel. There is a slight change in the passage, “he shall rule,” instead of “you shall break,” to adapt the language to the speaker’s purpose here.

The allusion in the Psalm is to the Messiah reigning triumphantly over the nations, or subduing them under him. The idea here, as in the previous verse, is that his redeemed people will be associated with him in this dominion. To rule with a scepter of iron is not to rule with a harsh and tyrannical sway, but with power that is firm and invincible. It denotes a government of strength, one that cannot be successfully opposed, and one in which the subjects are effectually subdued.

As the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers. The image here is that of a potter’s vessel—a fragile vessel of clay—struck with a rod of iron and broken into fragments. This means, as applied to the nations, that there would be no power to oppose his rule; the enemies of his government would be destroyed.

Instead of remaining firm and compacted together, they would be broken like a potter’s clay vessel when struck with a rod of iron. The speaker does not indicate when this would be; however, all that is said here would be applicable to that time when the Son of God will come to judge the world, and when his saints will be associated with him in his triumphs.

Just as, with respect to all the others of the seven epistles to the churches, the promised rewards refer to heaven and to the happy state of that blessed world, it would also seem that this reward should have a similar reference. For there is no reason why “to him that overcame” in Thyatira a temporal reward and triumph should be promised, any more than in the cases of the others. If so, then this passage should not be cited as having any reference to an imaginary personal reign of the Savior and of the saints on the earth.

Even as I received of my Father. This is as he has appointed me (Psalms 2:6–9).