|source= [[4.02 Are You There, God? It's Me, Dean Winchester]]
}}
In 2009, [[Sam]] unknowingly releases Lucifer from his cage by killing [[Lilith]]. Lilith is revealed by [[Ruby]] to have been the last of [[the 66 Seals]]: "And it is written that the first demon shall be the last seal."
Lilith’s blood forms a spiral circle in the middle of the chapel at [[St. Mary's Convent]] and the gates of Lucifer’s prison open. <sup>[[4.22 Lucifer Rising]]</sup> The doors to the chapel close and Sam and Dean are unable to escape. However before Lucifer appears, Sam and Dean find themselves transported to an airplane flying over the area. [[Joshua]] reveled to Dean and Sam that it was in fact God who saved them from Lucifer.<sup>[[5.16 Dark Side Of The Moon]]</sup>
Following Lucifer's release, Sam is revealed to be [[Lucifer]]'s [[Vessel]], and [[Dean]] [[Michael]]'s. Possession is likely to lead to a conflict that will devastate the Earth.