"I will not speak with you much longer, for the prince of this world is coming, and he has no claim on me."
Revelation 5:1-10
Then I saw a scroll in the right hand of the One seated on the throne. It had writing on both sides and was sealed with seven seals.
And I saw a mighty angel proclaiming in a loud voice, “Who is worthy to break the seals and open the scroll?”
But no one in heaven or on earth or under the earth was able to open the scroll or look inside it.
And I began to weep bitterly, because no one was found worthy to open the scroll or look inside it.
Then one of the elders said to me, “Do not weep! Behold, the Lion of the tribe of Judah, the Root of David, has triumphed to open the scroll and its seven seals.”
Then I saw a Lamb who appeared to have been slain, standing in the center of the throne, encircled by the four living creatures and the elders. The Lamb had seven horns and seven eyes, which represent the seven Spirits of God sent out into all the earth.
And He came and took the scroll from the right hand of the One seated on the throne.
When He had taken the scroll, the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders fell down before the Lamb. Each one had a harp, and they were holding golden bowls full of incense, which are the prayers of the saints. And they sang a new song:
'Worthy are You to take the scroll and open its seals, because You were slain, and by Your blood You purchased for God those from every tribe and tongue and people and nation. You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God, and they will reign upon the earth.'
By His death the Son of God overcame sin. While He was dead the Son of God overcame death, hell and the grave. After His death He rose to life; walking out of the grave, into the garden and into the city streets. And after many days ascended into heaven where He sits at the right hand of the Father, interceding for His people until He returns to bring us all home with Him.
In the end the prince of this world will be conquered and thrown into the lake of fire, along with those he has deceived. You don't want to go there. You don't want anyone you know to go there.
Now is the time to pray for the people we love, the people we like, the people we know; we pray for the strangers in our communities, the people who come against us because we are Christ's own. Now is the time to pray for our families: our parents, our children, our siblings, our aunts and uncles, nieces and nephews and cousins.
We pray for those in government at every level, from the mayor of our city to the ruler of our country at the highest level. We pray for ourselves to remain steadfast in His Word, that His love may remain in us and we in Him.
Now is the time to pray for strength to endure, love that overcomes, and a hope that perseveres. Not just for ourselves but for they for whom we pray.
We who belong to Christ live in the Authority of Christ. Satan has no claim on us, either.
