God's people are the "rod of Iron":
•“with a rod of iron” – The Rod (King’s Sceptre) of the Shepherd, the ruling and corrector, judge, rod of inheritance, separator of chaff from wheat, voice of the LORD, that which is used to feed with, head over the house; see Gen. 49:10; Exo. 4:17; Lev. 27:32; Num. 17:3, 24:17; 2 Sam. 7:14, 23:21; 1 Chr. 11:23; Job. 9:34, 37:13; Psa. 23:4, 45:6; 74:2, 89:32, 110:2; Pro. 10:13, 13:24, 22:15, 23:13-14, 26:3, 29:15; Isa. 10:24, 11:1,4, 14:5,29, 28:27, 30:31; Jer. 10:16, 51:19; Lam. 3:1; Eze. 19:11,14, 20:37, 21:10,13; Amo. 1:5,8; Mic. 5:1, 7:14; Zec. 10:11; and a ‘rod’ is also a ‘tribe’ or people group (H7626), such as ‘Israel’ (Natural or Spiritual), see Gen. 49:16; Deut. 29:8; Jos. 13:6-7, 23:4; Psa. 78:55; Pro. 27:17; Isa. 10:4-5,15, 49:6; Jer. 1:18; Eze. 37:19; and "iron" is that which breaks in pieces all others; symbol of strength, even of defense (walls of iron, etc), see Lev. 26:19; Job. 28:2, 40:18; Pro. 27:17; Jer. 15:12; Dan. 2:40, and thus a “rod of iron”, see Num. 35:16; Psa. 2:9; Isa. 11:4; Rev. 2:27, 12:5, 19:15.
To reign with Christ Jesus is not to "reign over" other people, as the text says to "reign with", not "reign over".
1Co_4:8 Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you.
Since the scriptures reveal that the Saints are not on the Earth during the "1000 years", and the unrighteous do "not inherit the Kingdom of God" [1 Corinthians 6:9-10], how then can it be taught that the Saints "reign" over the wicked as some assume? The scriptures never speak of the Saints reigning "over" the wicked, but rather the scriptures say that the Saints shall "reign
with Christ Jesus". What does this mean? Let us look at some instances of how the scriptures use the word "reign" here:
For if by one man's offence death reigned by one; much more they which receive abundance of grace and of the gift of righteousness shall reign in life by one, Jesus Christ.) (Romans 5:17)
Now ye are full, now ye are rich, ye have reigned as kings without us: and I would to God ye did reign, that we also might reign with you. (1 Corinthians 4:8)
If we suffer, we shall also reign with [him]: if we deny [him], he also will deny us: (2 Timothy 2:12)
Blessed and holy [is] he that hath part in the first resurrection: on such the second death hath no power, but they shall be priests of God and of Christ, and shall reign with him a thousand years. (Revelation 20:6)
It is not a 'reign over the wicked' as some have judged. It is rather a "reign[ing] with CHRIST JESUS" in life and peace.
Christ Jesus said it will not be like those who "exercise lordship" over others:
And he said unto them, The kings of the Gentiles exercise lordship over them; and they that exercise authority upon them are called benefactors. (Luke 22:25)
But ye [shall] not [be] so: but he that is greatest among you, let him be as the younger; and he that is chief, as he that doth serve. (Luke 22:26)
See Dominion: