The mists of darkness obscured the goal and the path. However, humanity is not fated to live in a darkness that prevents them from obtaining the fruit of the tree. This is where the rod of iron comes into play. It is a guide through the mists.
The effectiveness of the guide is simply stated. Those who were fumbling in the mists of darkness found the rod and grasped it. By “clinging to the rod of iron” they arrived at the destination. In spite of the interim difficulties, they received the fruit of the tree. It may not be an intended image, but the verse says they were “clinging” to the rod.
Through our own mists of darkness, they may come times when the darkness is more active than passive. In our darkness, strong winds often arise. There may be times when the hardships of mortal life attempt to blow us away from the rod. In those times, “clinging” may be the correct image.
In verse 25 we find yet another reason why this tree is not the expected image of the tree of life. In the stories of the tree of life, eating the fruit immediately makes a permanent change. In this case, the image of the fruit of the tree can be temporary. In this dream, it is possible that we may follow the rod, we may taste of the joy of the fruit, but we may also lose that feeling. This image is an analogy that expands behind the stories of the tree of life in the Garden. The trees in the garden had a different purpose. This image is more a tree of lifetime than a tree of life. It describes our mortal journey and interaction with the fruit of God’s plan.