John, to the seven churches which are in Asia: Grace to you and peace from Him who is and who was and who is to come, and from the seven Spirits who are before His throne, and from Jesus Christ, the faithful witness, the firstborn from the dead, and the ruler over the kings of the earth. To Him who loved us and washed us from our sins in His own blood, “I am the Alpha and the Omega, the Beginning and the End,” says the Lord, “who is and who was and who is to come, the Almighty.” And when I saw Him, I fell at His feet as dead. But He laid His right hand on me, saying to me, “Do not be afraid; I am the First and the Last. I am He who lives, and was dead, and behold, I am alive forevermore. Amen. And I have the keys of Hades and of Death.
Revelation 1:4-5, 8, 17-18
Satan, tyrants, totalitarian leaders, and evil men in all generations, from Cain to murderers of all times, have prided themselves on their ability to silence their enemies with the weapon of death. To the Sanhedrin Jesus Christ was a burdensome Stone. To all enemies of truth and light, He and the truth were and are a hindrance to their ambition and authority. So, they rushed to death for help. Even the devil thought that killing Jesus would save his demonic kingdom. But instead by crucifying the sinless Son of God they brought perpetual destruction to themselves, and their evil kingdom. Life has triumphed over death. Jesus Christ is alive and well today and reigns over the devil, death, and darkness. The tomb is empty. Rejoice.