We live in a godless time. That may not surprise students of God’s Holy Word as this precious book tells us a lot about the end of this age and the state of things in the world at this period. In the Olivet discourse (Matthew 24-25), the Lord Jesus plainly spoke of events to precede His coming again in power and great glory. These things are emphasised in Mark 13 and Luke 21. The apostles, writing by inspiration of the Holy Ghost, confirm the teaching of the Saviour. An earlier article in this magazine gives information from 2 Thessalonians 2 as well as from other passages in the epistles and the Revelation. When we mention 'creation institutions,' we are referring to that which was instituted by God at the time of the creation. There are many nowadays who are willingly ignorant of the truth of Genesis 1 - and following chapters. They do not want to believe in a Creator so happily imbibe the myth of evolution rather than accept the plain and reasonable teaching of the Word of God. Our children are being taught all this unbelief in the schools. Ironically, instead of evolution - things getting better - there is a perpetual decline. As I understand it, there were two creation institutions - (1) the day of rest and (2) marriage. These things did not come into being with the law given to Moses but go back to the beginning of time. It seems that our rulers and modern society, no doubt by instigation of the devil, have sought to destroy both these institutions. Psalm 2 talks about heathen (that is, nations, or Gentiles) raging and people imagining a vain thing. It then goes on to speak of kings and rulers who are against Jehovah, taking counsel together in opposition to God and Christ (the Anointed One). They will seek to cast away the restraints which they consider God has put upon them. In my life-time I have seen a big decline as these two creation institutions have been attacked. The very things that God has given, in His grace, for the good of nations, leaders and people have discarded. The increasing desecration of the Lord's Day has not brought blessing to the nation and the re-defining of marriage will not do so either. It is sad when the religious leaders act like dumb dogs that cannot bark (Isaiah 56:10). It is left to a local councillor to say that the country is under the judgment of God; and he is dealt with shamefully for telling the truth. Surely all this is a preparation for the arising of the antichrist. Returning to Psalm 2, it is encouraging for the true believer to know that God is sitting in the heavens and that He has these wicked men who oppose Him in derision; and that He will ultimately solve the situation by setting His King upon the holy hill of Zion. So we continue to watch and wait, knowing that the events foretold in Scripture will come to pass. When we are told to watch, it is not that we stand gazing up into the air, but we look for the signs given to us. Jesus said, 'Learn a parable of the fig tree; when his branch is yet tender, and putteth forth leaves, ye know that summer is nigh; so likewise ye, when ye shall see all these things, know that it is near, even at the doors' (Matthew 24:32-33). Things will get worse, but joy cometh in the morning. The feet of the Lord Jesuswill stand upon the mount of Olives, which is before Jerusalem; and the LORD shall be King over all the earth (Zechariah 14:3,9). 

(Taken from Watching and Waiting, the magazine of the Sovereign Grace Advent Testimony).