The Task of Overcomers
In this message, Stephen emphasizes that we are living in the end times, specifically just before the great tribulation. He interprets Revelation 12 as depicting the final stage of the church's travail, symbolized by a woman in labor, representing the church at the end of the age. The woman, clothed with the sun and crowned with twelve stars, is in pain to give birth to a male child, which symbolizes the overcomers—those who will rule with Christ. Stephen explains that this child is not Christ Himself but a corporate group of overcomers, born out of the church, who overcome Satan through the blood of the Lamb, the word of their testimony, and love not their lives unto death. He highlights that the travail and suffering of the church are birth pains leading to the emergence of these overcomers, who are vital for the coming of God's kingdom. The adversary, Satan, is depicted as the red dragon, standing before the woman to devour her child at birth, but the child is caught up to God's throne, signifying victory. Stephen urges believers to recognize that spiritual growth and overcoming are silent, life-developing processes rooted in faith, humility, and the power of the blood of Jesus, culminating in the birth of the male child who will prepare the way for Christ’s return.
Outline of Main Points
- End times and the significance of Revelation 12
- The woman symbolizes the church at the end of the age, in travail to give birth to overcomers
- The male child represents corporate overcomers, not Christ Himself
- Satan, the red dragon, opposes the birth of the overcomers, standing to devour them
- Overcomers overcome through the blood of the Lamb, testimony, and love not their lives unto death
- The travail of the church is birth pains leading to the emergence of victorious overcomers
- Spiritual growth is silent and unseen but essential for overcoming
- The victory of the overcomers prepares the way for Christ’s return and the establishment of God's kingdom
26 And he that overcometh, and keepeth my works unto the end, to him will I give power over the nations: 27 And he shall rule them with a rod of iron; as the vessels of a potter shall they be broken to shivers: even as I received of my Father.
1 And there appeared a great wonder in heaven; a woman clothed with the sun, and the moon under her feet, and upon her head a crown of twelve stars: 2 And she being with child cried, travailing in birth, and pained to be delivered. 3 And there appeared another wonder in heaven; and behold a great red dragon, having seven heads and ten horns, and seven crowns upon his heads. 4 And his tail drew the third part of the stars of heaven, and did cast them to the earth: and the dragon stood before the woman which was ready to be delivered, for to devour her child as soon as it was born. 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. 6 And the woman fled into the wilderness, where she hath a place prepared of God, that they should feed her there a thousand two hundred and threescore days. 7 And there was war in heaven: Michael and his angels fought against the dragon; and the dragon fought and his angels, 8 And prevailed not; neither was their place found any more in heaven. 9 And the great dragon was cast out, that old serpent, called the Devil, and Satan, which deceiveth the whole world: he was cast out into the earth, and his angels were cast out with him. 10 And I heard a loud voice saying in heaven, Now is come salvation, and strength, and the kingdom of our God, and the power of his Christ: for the accuser of our brethren is cast down, which accused them before our God day and night. 11 And they overcame him by the blood of the Lamb, and by the word of their testimony; and they loved not their lives unto the death.
12 Therefore rejoice, ye heavens, and ye that dwell in them. Woe to the inhabiters of the earth and of the sea! for the devil is come down unto you, having great wrath, because he knoweth that he hath but a short time.
15 And out of his mouth goeth a sharp sword, that with it he should smite the nations: and he shall rule them with a rod of iron: and he treadeth the winepress of the fierceness and wrath of Almighty God.
