At this point in time, it is of the utmost importance to know who the ones are that "must strike the earth with the rod of his mouth; and with the spirit of his lips he will put the wicked one to death", as God prophesied through Isaiah. (11:4 NWT).

Even at this late hour, all nations are full of wicked persons who reject God by living contrary to His Will. And yet, I have known only a few persons whose spirit has been put to death by the "rod of his mouth". So there is a need to ask: What does this prophecy through Isaiah really mean in its entirety, and when will it begin to take place worldwide?

Much later than Isaiah's prophecy, Michael revealed to the apostle John that those who conquer this world would receive his authority to break nations to pieces like clay vessels. He said: "To him who is victorious, to him who perseveres in doing my will to the end, I will give authority over the nations -- the same authority which I received from my Father -- and he shall rule them with an iron rod, smashing them to bits like earthenware; and I will give him also the star of dawn. Hear, you who have ears to hear, what the Spirit says to the churches!" (Rev 2:26-29 NEB).

To shepherd nations with a symbolic "iron rod", and even smashing some to pieces, is very different to the way our Lord shepherded his sheeplike people toward subjection when he lived on earth.

Therefore, we need to consider: (1) The reason for, and the means by which, this seemingly harsh way of shepherding human spirits will be carried out. And: (2) Who the ones are who would be given heavenly authority to wield his ironlike "rod" of discipline (even to death in many cases, since it is mainly for smashing disobedient spirits to pieces), and when it will take place.

Ans. (1) In Revelation chapter 19 verse 15 it reveals the source and purpose of this new way of shepherding: "From his mouth there went a sharp sword with which to smite the nations; for he it is who shall rule them with an iron rod, and tread the winepress of the wrath and retribution of God the Sovereign Lord". To carry out this shepherding, Michael will use and give authority to the Word of God, namely to the Holy Scriptures (from his "lips").

Ans. (2) Those faithful anointed conquerors of this world still alive on earth of the total number of 144,000 future kings and underpriests, are those that will continue to rule with an ironlike rod. (Rev 5:9,10). Now that the "one thought" of God to destroy Babylon/Iraq has been fulfilled (Rev 17:16-18), the imminent and everlasting rule of God is next to be fulfilled, and is when complete fulfilment of the irreversible shepherding with an "iron rod" will take place.

"STAR OF DAWN": Heavenly revealings communicated to anointed ones,
                                     usually during the early hours of the morning.

        MICHAEL:         Heavenly name of the Firstborn of many anointed ones
                                     (144,000 Christs). The Christ Jesus was Michael's name
                                     when he resided in flesh on earth.