Who is the ruler of this world?

Turlock, CA

DeReyelle (my cousin) and his girlfriend Mychelle began telling me of an experience with a friend and he was pressuring them to participate in his church. However, they did not believe much of what he was saying to them. Here is as much of the account I can recall:

(The setting: Mychelle is driving their van and DeReyelle is sitting in the far back seat of the van and their twin boys are asleep in the middle seats.)

DeReyelle: He did not make any sense. We are open-minded when it comes to religion but he just did not make any sense. When he tried to explain things to us, I don't even think that he knew what he was talking about.
Barb: There are many types of religions in the world and I guess this one sounds close to scientology... I don't know. Have you guys every spoke to any Jehovah's Witnesses about the bible?
Mychelle: Just this morning, a Jehovah's Witness came by.
Barb: What was your impression?
Mychelle: They have always been nice and respectful and dressed nice. When I lived in a different town, a lady would come by sometimes and talk to me about the bible. I always listened to what she had to say.
Barb: That's awesome. So when you think about all the religions in the world, all the violence, wars and problems who do you think is really the ruler of the world?
DeReyelle: God
Mychelle: If I am looking at it on an individual basis, I would say myself because ....
Barb: I interrupted Mychelle and sai ...no no, who is ruler over the ENTIRE WORLD, not on an individual level but worldwide.
Mychelle: well, I guess... God
Barb: That's right most people say God. When you get home I want you to look up 1John 5:19. (I then remembered that I had my bible with me in English because I was going to attend the Memorial in English and not Spanish.) Wait, I have my bible. I looked up the scripture and I asked them to listen closely for the answer to the question... who is the ruler over the world.
DeReyelle: laughing outloud and shouting, Oh my GOD it's the Devil!!! Oh my GOD!
Mychelle: Wow, can you write that down for me. I want to look it up when we get home.
Barb: Sure. The first part of the scriptures speaks about how we originate with God...which we know that Jehovah is our creator but Satan the Devil rules the whole world. Do you know why? If Satan is the ruler of the world, that means he is here with us. So, where did he live before he came to the earth?
DeReyelle: Heaven
Barb: That's right. Remember, he's an angel and he lived in Heaven before he turned rebellious and was kicked out. Basically, many of the problems we see today is the result of him being the ruler of this world. Besides, the sin of Adam and Eve, we can't forget that.
Remember, God gave us a brain so use it. Like you were able to reason that your friend was not telling you something that sounded reasonable, likewise, you were able reason from the bible that the Devil is behind much of what is going on worldwide. After all, God loves us and wants the best for us. Do you really believe that he intended that we live in a world like ours?
DeReylle & Mychelle: No
Barb: Do you believe what I just read from the Bible is true.
DeReyelle: Yeah, it makes complete sense.
Barb: 2Tem 3:16-17. Now this scripture tells us that every part of the bible is beneficial and it lists many reasons why. We can believe what the bible says. So, I if someone say that only part of the bible is valid, you know the real answer.

I later returned and placed two What the Bible Teach books, two Bibles, and one The Great Teach book. They accepted them and promised to read them. I have their email address and continue to keep in contact with them. Only Jehovah will know how the seeds will grow.