Why is our world scarred by wars, violence, lies, deception, addiction and so much wickedness? Much of the reason is provided here in Revelation 9.

As the United Kingdom and the world mourns the passing of Queen Elizabeth II, we consider some encouraging truths concerning the Queen's King - and ours.

A new section of Revelation begins in chapter 8 with the vision of the seven trumpets. The nature of this book is such that some of the same lessons are repeated here as we got from the seven seals - but it only emphasise the seriousness of God's judgment and the nearness of the end of all things, and the wrath of the Lamb. A solemn message, with a stark warning: repent, now, before it's too late.

Before we pick up our series in Revelation, at chapter 8, we took time to recap what we've seen so far in chapters 1-7. Revelation is all about Jesus (see chapter 1:1) - where he is, what he is doing now and what he will do in the future. He is the Lamb, slain, but standing victorious in heaven!

Jude has given his readers plenty of warnings about the challenges we will face from false teachers. But that's not where the letter ends. We should never be solely focused on our problems, but on our God, who is infinitely worthy of praise!

The Christian lifestyle will seem strange to many other people - but it can be easily explained. We're living with the belief that the last day is coming, that Jesus is returning. That crucial truth explains everything about how and why we live as we do.

Psalm 20 - "Before the Battle" - goes hand in hand with Psalm 21 - "After the Battle". Having asked for God's help ahead of going to war, here the king and his people rejoice that help was given, that God provides salvation. This was certainly the experience of King David, but it is also the experience of King Jesus and His people; today, we rejoice that our King has won the greatest victory - defeating death itself!

Jude continues an extended section of his letter warning his readers about the danger of false teachers, impostors, in the church. But he also reassures the faithful believers who read his letter: such wickedness will not go on unchecked forever. Judgment is coming. Christians need to keep that perspective today in a world where evil seems to be winning.

So many of the Psalms depict the battles that King David would have faced. Christians today continue fighting a spiritual battle, though King Jesus has won the most decisive victory for us by his death and resurrection. Nonetheless, we need to learn from King Davids preparations for warfare, so that we're ready for our daily spiritual battles.

How would you describe Jesus in three words? Would one of them be "Judge"? A much-neglected truth about Jesus is that he will judge all of us, all the nations, when he returns to this world. In this passage Jude sets the solemn reality of that before each one of us.