And He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

And He shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.

The title is Revelation 2:27 and is the LORD speaking to the church at Thyatira. As briefly alluded to in the prior post, the name Thyatira appears to be compounded from the Greek words thura, meaning door or gate, and tereo, meaning to guard. In the passage, these meanings are seen in their intended context, by which we understand where, by what means, and under whose power, this church is held.

Revelation 2

18 And unto the angel of the church in Thyatira [held down, in death, by the gates of hell] write; These things says the Son of God, who has his eyes like unto a flame of fire, and his feet are like fine brass;19 I know your works, and charity, and service, and faith, and your patience, and your works; and the last to be more than the first.20 Notwithstanding I have a few things against you, because you suffer that woman Jezebel [Ahab’s wife, and Baal worshipper], which calls herself a prophetess, to teach and to seduce my servants to commit fornication, and to eat things sacrificed unto idols.21 And I gave her space to repent of her fornication; and she repented not.22 Behold, I will cast her into a bed, and them that commit adultery with her into great tribulation, except they repent of their deeds.23 And I will kill her children with death [there can be no quickening into life for those who follow false prophets and unfaithful preachers]; and all the churches shall know that I am he which searches the reins and hearts: and I will give unto every one of you according to your works.24 But unto you I say, and unto the rest in Thyatira, as many as have not this doctrine, and which have not known the depths of Satan, as they speak; I will put upon you none other burden.25 But that which you have already hold fast till I come.26 And he that overcomes, and keeps my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations:27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.28 And I will give him the morning star.29 He that has an ear, let him hear what the Spirit says unto the churches.

Here following are the definitions, of the above-mentioned words, from the Strong’s Greek Dictionary.

Strong’s #2374: thura (pronounced thoo‘-rah) apparently a primary word (compare “door”); a portal or entrance (the opening or the closure, literally or figuratively):–door, gate.

Strong’s #5083: tereo (pronounced tay–reh‘-o) from teros (a watch; perhaps akin to 2334); to guard (from loss or injury, properly, by keeping the eye upon; and thus differing from 5442, which is properly to prevent escaping; and from 2892, which implies a fortress or full military lines of apparatus), i.e. to note (a prophecy; figuratively, to fulfil a command); by implication, to detain (in custody; figuratively, to maintain); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried); by extension, to withhold (for personal ends; figuratively, to keep unmarried):–hold fast, keep(- er), (pre-, re-)serve, watch.

When Revelation 2:27 tell of the LORD breaking them as the vessel of the potter, it is referring us to Jeremiah 18 when the LORD tells Jeremiah to go down to the potter’s house. In the context of the current ongoing discussion, speaking of the end of Judah and Jerusalem, here they are likened to the work of a potter’s hand. The LORD is sending Jeremiah with His word, to (first) break in pieces the vessel marred in the hand (by the words) of the potters who’ve made them. We know from the surrounding chapters, Jeremiah has been sent to speak to the kings, priests, and prophets, who are here the potter whose hands made the marred vessel.

Jeremiah 19 begins by addressing these same men in this same light, in verse 2 calling them the “sons of Hinnom.” Hinnom is Gehenna, hell, where the kings of Judah sacrificed their children to idols, in the fire. Jeremiah is speaking to them in the east gate, which is where the LORD will enter. This is what the title and Thyatira are speaking of, where the false prophets, the corrupt priesthood, in the power of the king of hell, a son of Hinnom, Satan, are resisting and opposing the King’s entry.
What the LORD is telling Jeremiah to speak of, is He, as Master Potter, has the power, authority, and the obligation, to break the old (ruined) vessel and make a new one that is without the same fatal flaws.

Jeremiah 18

1 The word which came to Jeremiah from the LORD, saying,2 Arise, and go down to the potter’s house, and there I will cause you to hear my words.3 Then I went down to the potter’s house, and, behold, he wrought a work on the wheels.4 And the vessel that he made of clay was marred [shachath – decayed or ruined] in the hand of the potter: so he made it again another vessel, as seemed good to the potter to make it.5 Then the word of the LORD came to me, saying,6 O house of Israel, cannot I do with you as this potter? says the LORD. Behold, as the clay is in the potter’s hand, so are you in mine hand, O house of Israel.7 At what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to pluck up, and to pull down, and to destroy it;8 If that nation, against whom I have pronounced, turn from their evil, I will repent of the evil that I thought to do unto them.9 And at what instant I shall speak concerning a nation, and concerning a kingdom, to build and to plant it;10 If it do evil in my sight, that it obey not my voice, then I will repent of the good, wherewith I said I would benefit them.11 Now therefore go to, speak to the men of Judah, and to the inhabitants of Jerusalem, saying, Thus says the LORD; Behold, I frame evil against you, and devise a device against you: return you now every one from his evil way, and make your ways and your doings good.12 And they said, There is no hope: but we will walk after our own devices, and we will every one do the imagination of his evil heart.13 Therefore thus says the LORD; Ask you now among the heathen, who has heard such things: the virgin of Israel has done a very horrible thing.14 Will a man leave the snow of Lebanon which comes from the rock of the field? or shall the cold flowing waters that come from another place be forsaken?15 Because my people has forgotten me, they have burned incense to vanity, and they have caused them to stumble in their ways from the ancient paths, to walk in paths, in a way not cast up;16 To make their land desolate, and a perpetual hissing; every one that passes thereby shall be astonished, and wag his head.17 I will scatter them as with an east wind before the enemy; I will show them the back, and not the face, in the day of their calamity.18 Then said they, Come and let us devise devices against Jeremiah; for the law shall not perish from the priest, nor counsel from the wise, nor the word from the prophet. Come, and let us smite him with the tongue, and let us not give heed to any of his words.19 Give heed to me, O LORD, and hearken to the voice of them that contend with me.20 Shall evil be recompensed for good? for they have digged a pit for my soul. Remember that I stood before you to speak good for them, and to turn away your wrath from them.21 Therefore deliver up their children to the famine, and pour out their blood by the force of the sword; and let their wives be bereaved of their children, and be widows; and let their men be put to death; let their young men be slain by the sword in battle.22 Let a cry be heard from their houses, when you shall bring a troop suddenly upon them: for they have digged a pit to take me, and hid snares for my feet.23 Yet, LORD, you know all their counsel against me to slay me: forgive not their iniquity, neither blot out their sin from your sight, but let them be overthrown before you; deal thus with them in the time of your anger.

Jeremiah 19

1 Thus says the LORD, Go and get a potter’s earthen bottle, and take of the ancients of the people, and of the ancients of the priests;2 And go forth unto the valley of the son of Hinnom [hell], which is by the entry of the east gate, and proclaim there the words that I shall tell you,3 And say, Hear you the word of the LORD, O kings of Judah, and inhabitants of Jerusalem; Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring evil upon this place, the which whosoever hears, his ears shall tingle [as in 2 Kings 21:12].4 Because they have forsaken me, and have estranged this place, and have burned incense in it unto other gods, whom neither they nor their fathers have known, nor the kings of Judah, and have filled this place with the blood of innocents;5 They have built also the high places of Baal, to burn their sons with fire for burnt offerings unto Baal, which I commanded not, nor spoke it, neither came it into my mind:6 Therefore, behold, the days come, says the LORD, that this place shall no more be called Tophet [a place of fire], nor The valley of the son of Hinnom [hell], but The valley of slaughter.7 And I will make void the counsel of Judah and Jerusalem in this place; and I will cause them to fall by the sword before their enemies, and by the hands of them that seek their lives: and their carcasses will I give to be meat for the fowls of the heaven, and for the beasts of the earth.8 And I will make this city desolate, and a hissing; every one that passes thereby shall be astonished and hiss because of all the plagues thereof.9 And I will cause them to eat the flesh of their sons and the flesh of their daughters, and they shall eat every one the flesh of his friend in the siege and straitness, wherewith their enemies, and they that seek their lives, shall straiten them.10 Then shall you break the bottle in the sight of the men that go with you,11 And shall say unto them, Thus says the LORD of hosts; Even so will I break this people and this city, as one breaks a potter’s vessel, that cannot be made whole again: and they shall bury them in Tophet [the place of their fires], till there be no place to bury.12 Thus will I do unto this place, says the LORD, and to the inhabitants thereof, and even make this city as Tophet:13 And the houses of Jerusalem, and the houses of the kings of Judah, shall be defiled as the place of Tophet, because of all the houses upon whose roofs they have burned incense unto all the host of heaven, and have poured out drink offerings unto other gods.14 Then came Jeremiah from Tophet, whither the LORD had sent him to prophesy; and he stood in the court of the LORD’s house; and said to all the people,15 Thus says the LORD of hosts, the God of Israel; Behold, I will bring upon this city and upon all her towns all the evil that I have pronounced against it, because they have hardened their necks, that they might not hear my words.

The word used above in saying the ears, which hear this proclamation of the end, will “tingle,” is the four times used word Hebrew word tsalal. As we see in Jeremiah 19:3 above, it also appears in 2 Kings 21:12, which we saw in the prior post speaks of the end of the Judah and Jerusalem and it coinciding with the seeming end of the Davidic king line.

The same word appears in 1 Samuel 3:11, also rendered “tingle,” and in Habakkuk 3:16 where it’s translated “quiver” in telling Habakkuk’s reaction when he hears of the LORD’s appearing. He is rejoicing at His coming, understanding it is for our salvation, but quivers because he understands it is the self-destruction of those who oppose Him.

1 Samuel 3

1 And the child Samuel [he hears God] ministered unto the LORD before Eli [the lofty – who have risen on high]. And the word of the LORD was precious [rare – not heard often, therefore Samuel at first thinks it is the word of Eli {men, priests, who’ve raised themselves up in God’s place}] in those days; there was no open vision [there was no understanding, light in people, of the deeper meaning].2 And it came to pass at that time, when Eli was laid down in his place, and his eyes began to wax dim, that he could not see;3 And ere the lamp [understanding] of God went out in the temple of the LORD, where the ark of God was, and Samuel [hearing God] was laid down to sleep [in a death-like state];4 That the LORD called Samuel: and he answered, Here am I.5 And he ran unto Eli, and said, Here am I; for you called me. And he said, I called not; lie down again. And he went and lay down.6 And the LORD called yet again, Samuel. And Samuel arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you did call me. And he answered, I called not, my son; lie down again.7 Now Samuel did not yet know [the voice of] the LORD, neither was the word of the LORD yet revealed unto him.8 And the LORD called Samuel again the third time. And he arose and went to Eli, and said, Here am I; for you did call me. And Eli perceived that the LORD had called the child.9 Therefore Eli said unto Samuel, Go, lie down: and it shall be, if he calls you, that you shall say, Speak, LORD; for your servant hears. So Samuel went and lay down in his place.10 And the LORD came, and stood, and called as at other times, Samuel, Samuel. Then Samuel answered, Speak; for your servant hears.11 And the LORD said to Samuel, Behold, I will do a thing in Israel, at which both the ears of every one that hears it shall tingle [tsalal].12 In that day I will perform against Eli all things which I have spoken concerning his house: when I begin, I will also make an end [of the corrupt priesthood – and will replace it with those hearing the voice of the LORD].13 For I have told him that I will judge his house for ever for the iniquity which he knows; because his sons made themselves vile, and he restrained them not.14 And therefore I have sworn unto the house of Eli, that the iniquity of Eli’s house shall not be purged with sacrifice nor offering for ever.15 And Samuel lay until the morning, and opened the doors of the house of the LORD. And Samuel feared to show Eli the vision.16 Then Eli called Samuel, and said, Samuel, my son. And he answered, Here am I.17 And he said, What is the thing that the LORD has said unto you? I pray you hide it not from me: God do so to you, and more also, if you hide any thing from me of all the things that he said unto you.18 And Samuel told him every whit, and hid nothing from him. And he said, It is the LORD: let him do what seems him good.19 And Samuel grew, and the LORD was with him, and did let none of his words fall to the ground.20 And all Israel from Dan even to Beersheba knew that Samuel was established to be a prophet of the LORD. [The pattern that is in our time those who’ve heard His correction, become His children, and faithfully speak His word in the pure form He has given it.]21 And the LORD appeared again in Shiloh: for the LORD revealed himself to Samuel in Shiloh by the word of the LORD.

This last verse is what Habakkuk understands, the power as rays of light coming from the LORD’s hand, in His word and works of revelation (interpretation opening vision).

Habakkuk 3

1 A prayer of Habakkuk the prophet upon Shigionoth [from the word shagah, meaning to err – telling of the when the LORD’s hand is upon those who’ve erred and gone astray. It appears three times in Isaiah 28:7 describing these men. “But they also have erred [shagah] through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred [shagah] through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err [shgagah] in vision, they stumble in judgment.”]2 O LORD, I have heard your speech, and was afraid: O LORD, revive your work in the midst of the years, in the midst of the years make known; in wrath remember mercy.3 God came from Teman [appeared in work of His right hand], and the Holy One from mount Paran [His interpretation into clarity]. Selah. His glory covered the heavens, and the earth was full of his praise.4 And his brightness was as the light; he had horns [as rays of light] coming out of his hand: and there was the hiding of his power [‘oz].5 Before him went the pestilence, and burning coals went forth at his feet.6 He stood, and measured the earth: he beheld, and drove asunder the nations; and the everlasting mountains were scattered, the perpetual hills did bow: his ways are everlasting.7 I saw the tents of Cushan [in darkness] in affliction: and the curtains of the land of Midian [strife] did tremble.8 Was the LORD displeased against the rivers? was your anger against the rivers? was your wrath against the sea, that you did ride upon your horses and your chariots of salvation?9 Your bow was made quite naked, according to the oaths of the tribes, even your word. Selah. You did cleave the earth with rivers.10 The mountains saw you, and they trembled: the overflowing of the water passed by: the deep uttered his voice, and lifted up his hands on high.11 The sun and moon [church and state governments] stood still in their habitation: at the light [understanding] of your arrows they went, and at the shining of your glittering spear.12 You did march through the land in indignation, you did thresh the heathen in anger.13 You went forth for the salvation of your people, even for salvation with your anointed; you wounded the head out of the house of the wicked, by discovering the foundation unto the neck. Selah.14 You did strike through with his staves the head of his villages: they came out as a whirlwind to scatter me: their rejoicing was as to devour the poor secretly.15 You did walk through the sea with your horses, through the heap of great waters [this word of God].16 When I heard, my belly trembled; my lips quivered [tsalal] at the voice: rottenness entered into my bones, and I trembled in myself, that I might rest in the day of trouble: when he comes up unto the people, he will invade them with his troops.17 Although the fig tree shall not blossom, neither shall fruit be in the vines; the labor of the olive shall fail, and the fields shall yield no meat; the flock shall be cut off from the fold, and there shall be no herd in the stalls:18 Yet I will rejoice in the LORD, I will joy in the God of my salvation.19 The LORD God is my strength, and he will make my feet like hinds’ feet, and he will make me to walk upon mine high places. To the chief singer on my stringed instruments.

Isaiah 28

5 In that day shall the LORD of hosts be for a crown of glory, and for a diadem of beauty, unto the residue of his people,6 And for a spirit of judgment to him that sits in judgment, and for strength to them that turn the battle to the gate.7 But they also have erred [shagah] through wine, and through strong drink are out of the way; the priest and the prophet have erred [shagah] through strong drink, they are swallowed up of wine, they are out of the way through strong drink; they err [shagah] in vision, they stumble in judgment.8 For all tables are full of vomit and filthiness, so that there is no place clean.9 Whom shall he teach knowledge? and whom shall he make to understand doctrine? them that are weaned from the milk, and drawn from the breasts.10 For precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:11 For with stammering lips and another tongue will he speak to this people.12 To whom he said, This is the rest wherewith you may cause the weary to rest; and this is the refreshing: yet they would not hear.13 But the word of the LORD was unto them precept upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little; that they might go, and fall backward, and be broken, and snared, and taken.14 Wherefore hear the word of the LORD, you scornful men, that rule this people which is in Jerusalem.15 Because you have said, We have made a covenant with death, and with hell are we at agreement; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, it shall not come unto us: for we have made lies our refuge, and under falsehood have we hid ourselves:16 Therefore thus says the LORD God, Behold, I lay in Zion for a foundation a stone, a tried stone, a precious corner stone, a sure foundation: he that believes shall not make haste.17 Judgment also will I lay to the line, and righteousness to the plummet: and the hail shall sweep away the refuge of lies, and the waters shall overflow the hiding place.18 And your covenant with death shall be disannulled, and your agreement with hell shall not stand; when the overflowing scourge shall pass through, then you shall be trodden down by it.19 From the time that it goes forth it shall take you: for morning by morning shall it pass over, by day and by night: and it shall be a vexation only to understand the report.

Proverbs 28

9 He that turns away his ear from hearing the law, even his prayer shall be abomination.10 Whoso causes the righteous to go astray [shagah] in an evil way, he shall fall himself into his own pit: but the upright shall have good things in possession.11 The rich man is wise in his own conceit; but the poor that has understanding searches him out.12 When righteous men do rejoice, there is great glory: but when the wicked rise, a man is hidden.13 He that covers his sins shall not prosper: but whoso confesses and forsakes them shall have mercy.14 Happy is the man that fears always: but he that hardens his heart shall fall into mischief.15 As a roaring lion, and a ranging bear; so is a wicked ruler over the poor people.16 The prince that wants understanding is also a great oppressor: but he that hates covetousness shall prolong his days.17 A man that does violence to the blood of any person shall flee to the pit; let no man stay him.18 Whoso walks uprightly shall be saved: but he that is perverse in his ways shall fall at once.19 He that tills his land shall have plenty of bread: but he that follows after vain persons shall have poverty enough.20 A faithful man shall abound with blessings: but he that makes haste to be rich shall not be innocent.21 To have respect of persons is not good: for for a piece of bread that man will transgress.22 He that hastes to be rich has an evil eye, and considers not that poverty shall come upon him.23 He that rebukes a man afterwards shall find more favor than he that flatters with the tongue.24 Whoso robs his father or his mother, and says, It is no transgression; the same is the companion of a destroyer.25 He that is of a proud heart stirs up strife: but he that puts his trust in the LORD shall be made fat.26 He that trusts in his own heart is a fool: but whoso walks wisely, he shall be delivered.27 He that gives unto the poor shall not lack: but he that hides his eyes shall have many a curse.28 When the wicked rise, men hide themselves: but when they perish, the righteous increase.

Psalms118

1 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: because his mercy endures for ever.2 Let Israel now say, that his mercy endures for ever.3 Let the house of Aaron now say, that his mercy endures for ever.4 Let them now that fear the LORD say, that his mercy endures for ever.5 I called upon the LORD in distress: the LORD answered me, and set me in a large place.6 The LORD is on my side; I will not fear: what can man do unto me?7 The LORD taketh my part with them that help me: therefore shall I see my desire upon them that hate me.8 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in man.9 It is better to trust in the LORD than to put confidence in princes.10 All nations compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD will I destroy them.11 They compassed me about; yea, they compassed me about: but in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.12 They compassed me about like bees: they are quenched as the fire of thorns: for in the name of the LORD I will destroy them.13 You have thrust sore at me that I might fall: but the LORD helped me.14 The LORD is my strength and song, and is become my salvation.15 The voice of rejoicing and salvation is in the tabernacles of the righteous: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.16 The right hand of the LORD is exalted: the right hand of the LORD does valiantly.17 I shall not die, but live, and declare the works of the LORD.18 The LORD has chastened me sore: but he has not given me over unto death.19 Open to me the gates of righteousness: I will go into them, and I will praise the LORD:20 This gate of the LORD, into which the righteous shall enter.21 I will praise you: for you have heard me, and are become my salvation.22 The stone which the builders refused is become the head stone of the corner.23 This is the LORD’s doing; it is marvelous in our eyes.24 This is the day which the LORD has made; we will rejoice and be glad in it.25 Save now, I beseech you, O LORD: O LORD, I beseech you, send now prosperity.26 Blessed be he that comes in the name of the LORD: we have blessed you out of the house of the LORD.27 God is the LORD, which has showed us light: bind the sacrifice with cords, even unto the horns of the altar.28 You are my God, and I will praise you: you are my God, I will exalt you.29 O give thanks unto the LORD; for he is good: for his mercy endures for ever.

Psalms 61

1 Hear my cry, O God; attend unto my prayer.2 From the end of the earth will I cry unto you, when my heart is overwhelmed: lead me to the rock that is higher than I.3 For you have been a shelter for me, and a strong tower from the enemy.4 I will abide in your tabernacle for ever: I will trust in the covert of your wings. Selah.5 For you, O God, have heard my vows: you have given me the heritage of those that fear your name.6 You will prolong the king’s life: and his years as many generations.7 He shall abide before God for ever: O prepare mercy and truth, which may preserve him.8 So will I sing praise unto your name for ever, that I may daily perform my vows.