John was given a "reed unto a rod". He
was given a reed which looked like a rod.

When property is possessed or redeemed
there must be a survey and an inventory.

Here, John has the rod. He, as an apostle,
is the divinely instituted representative
of the Church. And the Church is to take
part in judging the world.

"Do ye not know that the saints shall
judge the world?" 1 Corinthians 6:2