Many people read the Bible yet find themselves wondering about the deeper meanings behind its imagery.
What does it mean when Scripture speaks of a bowl, a scale, or a rod?
These are not just ancient objects; they carry profound spiritual symbolism.
In the Shincheonji Online Seminar Series, Lesson 6: The Figurative Bowl, Scale, and Rod invites viewers to uncover how these metaphors reveal the nature of faith, truth, and divine judgment.
Understanding the Figurative Bowl
The lesson begins with the concept of the bowl—a vessel that holds something within.
Just as a physical bowl carries food, a spiritual bowl represents a person’s heart that contains the Word of God.
As Romans 9:21–24 reminds us, we are like clay in the potter’s hands—each formed for a purpose.
In this way, some hearts become “bowls of God,” filled with truth and life, while others become “bowls of deception,” filled with falsehood.
The speaker beautifully explains how the size of one’s bowl signifies the capacity of one’s heart.
> “If one cleanses himself, he will be a vessel for noble purposes.” (2 Timothy 2:21)
In other words, the Word of God purifies and enlarges the heart’s ability to receive truth.
The message challenges listeners to consider: What fills my bowl today?
Is it the food of life—truth—or something that only appears nourishing from the outside, like the Pharisees whom Jesus rebuked for being “clean on the outside but full of greed inside” (Matthew 23:25–26)?
The Scale that Weighs the Heart
Next, the seminar explores the figurative scale, which measures not weight, but faith and deeds.
Revelation 6:5–6 describes a black horse whose rider holds a pair of scales—a symbol of judgment.
The scale of God measures with honesty and truth.
> “For the Lord weighs the heart.” (Proverbs 24:12)
Through these passages, we see that God’s Word becomes the standard by which faith is measured.
On the other hand, the scale of Satan is deceitful, built on distorted teachings and false measures—what Proverbs 11:1 calls “dishonest scales.”
At both the First and Second Comings, people are warned not to rely on corrupt spiritual merchants who manipulate truth for their own gain.
The seminar invites reflection rather than fear: it asks us to think about what we use to measure our own faith.
Are we judging ourselves by worldly standards or by the Word that endures forever?
The Rod that Guides and Disciplines
The third key symbol, the rod, appears in both comforting and corrective ways throughout Scripture.
Psalm 23 portrays God’s rod and staff as tools of comfort and guidance, while Isaiah 11:4 speaks of the rod as the Word that “strikes the earth” with truth.
This duality—comfort and correction—captures the balance of divine authority.
In this seminar, the rod is explained as not only the Word itself but also the person who carries it.
Those who possess the true Word become instruments through which God leads and disciplines His people.
Just as Moses was a true staff for Israel, while Pharaoh was a false one, believers are encouraged to discern between genuine and counterfeit guidance in their own faith journey.
More to Discover — The Hidden Authority
As the session continues, the speaker begins introducing one more symbol: the iron scepter—a theme that unfolds in the later portion of the lesson.
What does it mean to “rule with an iron scepter”?
Who receives such authority, and how is it connected to the Word itself?
These questions are not left unanswered—but to truly grasp their meaning, you’ll have to experience the seminar firsthand.
A Thoughtful Reflection
What makes this teaching compelling is not just its depth of biblical reference, but its invitation to self-reflection.
Instead of offering doctrine alone, it encourages the listener to consider the state of their own heart, their faith, and their source of guidance.
It’s a journey of discovery—one that blends reason with revelation, and intellect with humility.
Whether you’re a long-time Bible reader or someone newly curious about its figurative language, this session offers insights that challenge and inspire.
If you’d like to uncover the rest of the message and understand how the “iron scepter” ties everything together—
👉 Watch the full seminar here: [https://www.youtube.com/live/mMAHkoy2v9s?si=VX26jBgCGJXE5A9-]
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