A fascinating thing for me that Jesus said is this: “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” (Luke 18:8) The circumstances in which Jesus made this statement were not at a time when He was talking about His return to earth at the end of this age. But it’s clear that He is referring to that time.
If He is omnipotent and omniscient, why would He ask a question like that? It’s almost like the feeling is that it’s going to get so bad on earth before His return that He asks this question of whether or not there’ll even be faith left on the earth at His return.
What is the context of all this? At the beginning of Luke 18, “He spoke a parable to them that men ought always to pray and not to faint.” He went on to tell about the woman who kept coming to a judge in her city to get justice for a wrong done to her. Jesus said the judge was unjust and didn’t fear God or man. But finally he just wanted the woman to stop bugging him about the matter so he tended to it. Then Jesus asked His listeners, “Won’t God answer His own elect who cry to Him daily?”
It’s all about prayer and having the faith that God will answer. If that unjust judge took action just because that woman kept after him, won’t the God of heaven hear and answer the prayers of His people? But then Jesus asked, “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” Here are a few other verses from the Bible that bring light on that time and seem to indicate the dire straits the world will be in then.
In Matthew 24:12, where Jesus was speaking about the time just before His return, He said, “Because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall grow cold.” Boundless iniquity and a growing lack of love throughout the earth. Then in II Thessalonians 2:3 Paul said about the second coming of the Lord, “that day shall not come except there come a falling away first.” A falling away from faith in God throughout the earth. Maybe you haven’t fallen away or you live in a community where faith is still vibrant. But on a national and international scale, faith in God has declined dramatically in the last century or so, especially throughout the nations of the Western world.
But these are just the beginning of sorrows. In II Thessalonians 2:3 that I quoted above, the full verse says “That day shall not come except there come a falling away first and the man of sin be revealed, the son of perdition.” This is something that’s not happened yet but it may happen in our lifetimes. Here and elsewhere the Bible predicts that, in the very last days before the return of Jesus, a devil-possessed dictator will try to rule the world in a new world order.
The people this dictator will fight against the most are the people of faith, those with faith in the God of Abraham, you and me. In a sense there is good and bad news. The good news is that the Bible makes clear that this man will have a time strictly limited by God. Repeatedly in the books of Daniel and Revelation this time is given as a 3½ year period.
But the bad news is that during that time there is going to be “great tribulation” such as the world has never seen (Matthew 24:21). It says this Antichrist will “wear out the saints of the Most High” (Daniel 7:25) during that 3½ year period. Other verses indicate that there will be people of faith on earth who “will be strong and do exploits” (Daniel 11:32). But by the end of this 3½ year period, the Bible says this Antichrist will have “scattered the power of the holy people” (Daniel 12:7), just before the return of Jesus.
Maybe that’s why Jesus asked that question, “When the Son of man comes, will He find faith on the earth?” It’s going to be the toughest time in the history of the world for the people of faith. But a thorough reading of Scriptures indicates there will be those who will be transformed at His return, whose bodies will be instantly changed from our present nature to the supernatural bodies that we’ll have for eternity.
Will Jesus find faith on earth? The answer seems to be yes. God help us all to hold on to our crowns and to keep the faith unto the end, whatever that will be for each of us.
Amen! -The angel of the Lord encampeth round about them that fear him, and delivereth them. -Psalm 34:7 – Praise God! Thanks Mark
Hey! It’s neat to look into the root of the word faith in Hebrew: ’emunah’, which means trust more than anythings else. This word comes from the word ‘yamina’, which means the ‘right hand’, therefore signifying control. So, faith that Yeshuah expects to find means trust in the ultimate control of God, the thing that will be absolutely compromised with a view on the events that harbinger the Advent. So, the whole purpose of prophesy is to inure such faith. Basically, what the Lord is saying: will people still trust the prophesy, and will they still remember the prophets and take them at face value. So, such faith stems from the word of prophesy.
Love to go to the Hebrew root of the Word! So soul feeding. Thank you.
If we didn’t have this truth , we would be so easily lost. I know for me, I get turned around sometimes with so much “untruth” out there. Of making books there are many, but yet not being able to come to the knowledge of the truth. I feel at times I have been growing so slowly…The lessons to sink in….to strengthen my belief. But it’s all really been in God’s time…He’ll do the work, Only He can do it! All the lessons and the attacks of the enemy have really only strengthened me. So the enemy is really hanging himself! Because it forces me to Jesus more and more each day. GBY Mark …keep posting. xxx Joanna
Would love to meet you sometime
What Jesus is saying is that the inhabitants of the world will reject God and his Son before his return.The earth will be destitute of faith because they have been deceived by the devil. Without a thorough understanding of the bible, you have no safeguard against being deceived.This is confirmed by Revelation 13:8 “And all that dwell on the earth shall worship him (Satan) whose names are not written in the Lambs book of life slain from the foundation of the world.” The majority of the inhabitants are going to be lost.This the sad reality.
Yep, that’s broadly how I see it too. All the more reason for us believers to “work the works of Him that sent us while it is day.” Like it says in Daniel 11:33 “they that understand among the people shall instruct many”, a griping and provoking verse about the last times before the Lord’s return. Got to keep our lamps burning and do what we can to spread His love and truth in the gathering gloom of the endtime.
The ‘faith’ that He finds will be His faith. He will carry us through, He will get all the glory.
Be so low that if we are not ABIDING in THE WORD NOW.. we are going to be like the 5 virgins completely caught off guard. We must exercise our faith and prove that God honours His Word above His name. The bra nch withers without the main vine. God is telling us that we are enterig the phase… As in the days of Noah… 8 souls only were saved.. Sodom.. 3 souls only… Be encouraged saints of God.. TO THE BLOOD BE THE GLORY!!!
Hello Lewis, I am happy to read your comment. In the UK we are a backslidden and rebellious people, Our politicians and media are against the people and have given our country away to another power who have severely damaged us. The truth of Jesus is rarely spoken and has been denied to our children. Dark times indeed. During my prayers this morning I was remembering how our Lord safeguarded His own in the records of Lot and Noah. At the end I asked that my understanding would be confirmed as correct or be shown if in error. I’m laughing now – as I came across your words. Thank you, Rosie.
This helps to make more sense why the Lord has scattered us and so many of us are on our own.That we would cling to Him more desperately.Also I’m reminded that the disciples were few in number,unlearned,blundering about and through them Jesus turned their world around.It’s not in us It’s not in us, It’s only in Him.Bless you Mark.If you ever pass this way,please contact me.It would be great to have fellowship and prayer.
“Simon, Simon, Satan has asked to sift each of you like wheat. But I have prayed for you, Simon, that your faith will not fail. And when you have turned back, strengthen your brothers.” (Luke 22:31,32)
I have thought often of this verse when going through difficult times. Jesus said it to Simon, He knew already that Simon would betray him. So, I always pictured Jesus praying for me, too, so my faith would not fail. And this is how we will pull through, by His grace. (Just my thoughts)
I want to say I will hold out for the Lord but I feel so wimpy in my faith at times. I admit this frightens me.
Marjorie, I do sympathise but He knows our weaknesses and despite them He can work in truly wonderful ways. Take heart. Be of good cheer.??✋
You are not alone..I feel the same way, that without him I won’t be able to get through it.
And yet so many Christians I know and leaders involved in healing ministries etc. proclaim that there will be a great revival before the return of Jesus which I would love to believe and be part of, but I cannot find in scripture. The opposite.
They make me feel so ‘negative’ which is depressing!
Think of a billion compasses, with all but a few having their true North. Many are searching, but are many ready?
It’s so, so very uplifting to read the comments left on this post. Every single one of you are a part of the remnant which sadly is growing smaller by the day. There will be no revival but there will be many, many lost that will finally open the door and let Him in. We will serve Him like never before on planet earth. I can see things but make no mistake, I’m no prophet. I can see that the first seal is already opened. The son of perdition is in power today and fulfilling prophecy as we chat. he is the little horn that will grow exceeding great as time passes. God Bless you Mark for writing this article, it’s very accurate and serves Him.
Thanks so much Mark for pouring out The Word ! Much appreciated! We will share with all we can! 👍🏼❤️🙏🏼
Thanks for your comment, GBY.