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.

Man-child - `a son, a male.' Compare notes, Revelation 12:1.

Rule, [ poimainein (G4165)] - 'tend as a shepherd' (note, Revelation 2:27).

Rod of iron - for long-continued obstinacy, until they submitted themselves to obedience (Bengel): Psalms 2:9, which proves the Lord Jesus to be meant. Any interpretation which ignores this must be wrong. The male son's birth cannot be the Christian state triumphing over paganism under Constantine, which was not a divine child of the woman, but had many worldly elements. The ascending of the witnesses to heaven (Revelation 11:12) answers to Christ's own ascension, "caught up unto God, and unto His throne:" also His ruling the nations with a rod of iron is to be shared in by believers. What took place primarily in the Divine Son of the woman shall take place in those who are one with Him, the sealed of Israel (Revelation 7:1), and the elect of all nations, to be translated and to reign with Him over the earth at His appearing.