Imagine it is nearly time for Jesus Christ to begin His journey from heaven to earth at His second coming (Matthew 24:27). What conditions will He find when His feet touch the Mount of Olives in Jerusalem (Zechariah 14:4)? Bible prophecy describes a shockingly fearsome global situation in which human relations have reached the point of overwhelming disorder and brutality (Matthew 24:7-9). (Our booklets, Are We Living in the Time of the End? and Seven Prophetic Signs Before Christ Returns provide more information about this time of chaos leading up to Christ’s return.)

The Bible refers to this as “the time of the end”—the closing period of Satan’s corrupt and calamitous rule on earth (Daniel 12:4, 9). The culmination of the devil’s dominion will be the most unspeakably catastrophic period in human history (Mark 13:19). Jesus prophesied about this distressing time: “For then there will be great tribulation, such as has not been since the beginning of the world until this time, no, nor ever shall be” (Matthew 24:21).

In referring to this monstrous period, Christ posed a compelling question at the conclusion of a parable He taught His disciples in Luke 18. He spoke about a widow who sought intervention from a judge against an adversary. Although the judge ignored the widow’s pleas for a while, her persistence finally convinced him to act on her behalf. Jesus used this story to stress that God will “ . . . avenge His own elect who cry out day and night to Him” (verse 7). But in verse 8 He also states, “Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” (emphasis added throughout).

Bearing up under great distress

Why would Jesus raise this specific question in the context of this parable? To understand, let’s quickly revisit the terrible state of affairs preceding His Second Coming. Living conditions will have deteriorated so badly that the “new normal” will be unlike anything ever experienced on earth. Food will be scarce and as a result, famine will be widespread. War, crime, lawlessness and violence will be pervasive. Disease will ravage families and communities. Animosity will typify many human interactions.

These grim conditions will not only impact the general population but true Christians will likewise be severely affected. How do we know? In Matthew 24:9 we read “ . . . they will deliver you up to tribulation and kill you, and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake.” What will occur as a result? “And then many will be offended, will betray one another, and will hate one another” (verse 10). Furthermore, verses 12-13 say this about God’s people: “And because lawlessness will abound, the love of many will grow cold. But he who endures to the end shall be saved.”

Prayer is an indispensable key to spiritual survival.

What if you have to face these coming dreadful times? How will you respond as society breaks down all around you? Will you stay faithful to God if, for example, you have to flee your home and neighborhood as a refugee from raging military conflict or to escape intense persecution (Matthew 10:23)? How will you deal with these or other troubling situations if God doesn’t respond to your needs at the time you might expect?

An essential key to spiritual survival

How can you and I bear up under such distress? The answer is found at the beginning of Christ’s parable in Luke 18 where He stated, “ . . . men always ought to pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1). Unless we are persistently and deeply prayerful, it will be impossible to remain faithful during that coming, traumatic period. Just as the widow in the parable never ceased imploring the reluctant judge about her situation, neither should we stop asking God to supply our daily needs, increase our spiritual strength and rescue us from evil (Matthew 6:11, 13).

Prayer is an indispensable key to spiritual survival. God will powerfully aid those who obey Him and prayerfully seek His help and strength. The apostle Peter wrote: “For the eyes of the Lord are on the righteous, and His ears are open to their prayers” (1 Peter 3:12).

So, the biblical answer is clear. Spiritual endurance requires that we maintain a strong prayerful relationship with God. Accordingly, let’s now return to Jesus’ closing words in His parable of Luke 18:8 which states, “ . . . when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?”

As Christ prepares for his second coming will you be filled with prayerful, robust, fervent faith? Hebrews 11:1 defines faith as “ . . .  the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen.” Even though faith is a spiritual quality, it is described as having substance, which means it is real and tangible.

Faith is profound trust in God

Genuine faith is proof or confirmation of things we don’t yet have. Faith is not an emotional feeling or sentiment but a profound trust in God that His promises are absolutely dependable (2 Peter 1:4).

Speaking about the patriarch Abraham’s faith, the apostle Paul made this remarkable statement. “He did not waver at the promise of God through unbelief, but was strengthened in faith, giving glory to God, and being fully convinced that what He had promised He was also able to perform” (Romans 4:20-21). We can have precisely the same belief and conviction.

It’s important to understand something else about faith. It cannot be generated from within ourselves. Rather, it is one of God’s precious gifts bestowed to us upon our repentance and baptism (Romans 12:3). God gives us a measure of the very faith of Christ and faith in Christ (Revelation 14:12; Galatians 3:26).

Just as Jesus faithfully trusted His Heavenly Father to guide and empower Him throughout His earthly ministry (Matthew 26:39), so must we trust that God will strengthen and lead us. “But without faith it is impossible to please Him, for he who comes to God must believe that He is, and that He is a rewarder of those who diligently seek Him” (Hebrews 11:6).

Faith not only necessitates that we trust God but take action as well. We must “fight the good fight of faith” (1 Timothy 6:12). But there is more we need to comprehend. Faith can be lost. It can weaken and wither away if it is not treasured and employed (1 Timothy 6:10). Faith cannot remain static or motionless. Rather, it must grow and be nurtured. The apostle Paul stated: “We are bound to thank God always for you, brethren, as it is fitting, because your faith grows exceedingly . . .  (2 Thessalonians 1:3). The apostle Jude encouraged church members to continue “ . . . building yourselves up on your most holy faith, praying in the Holy Spirit” (Jude 20). Our booklet, You Can Have Living Faith provides more information about the power of faith and how to build enduring faith with God’s help.

Will you be found faithful?

So, if we are still alive then, will we possess buoyant, growing faith at the closing days of this tumultuous, evil age? Will you and I be “rich in faith” (James 2:5) even as we experience deception, war, disease, scarcity, hunger, natural disasters, persecution and confusion? Will we be “found faithful” (1 Corinthians 4:2) while humanity teeters on the edge of potential extermination?

How can we endure coming traumatic times? How can we be assured we won’t weaken and abandon God and His way of life? A vital key is to prepare spiritually now. Each day we should cultivate and strengthen our faith by studying the Bible, applying its lessons and diligently praying for God’s guidance and help. Our current trials should not be regarded as simply frustrating annoyances, but as opportunities to enhance our faith and spiritual stamina. Therefore, if later we experience significantly greater troubles, we will have been divinely equipped to endure and overcome (Ephesians 6:10-18).

Part of developing mature faith involves learning and exercising patience. Although God will not allow us to endure troubles beyond what we are personably able to bear (1 Corinthians 10:13), He may choose not to intervene immediately in such trials. Why? To test and strengthen our faith (Acts 14:2). He may want to determine how well we do in “casting all our cares upon Him” (1 Peter 5:7). The apostle Peter wrote insightfully that “ . . . the genuineness of your faith, being much more precious than gold that perishes, though it is tested by fire, may be found to praise, honor, and glory at the revelation of Jesus Christ” (1 Peter 1:7).

Of course, handling such trials is not easy since each of us experience uncertainty at times. Indeed, just as some of the heroes and heroines of faith cited in Hebrews 11 doubted God’s help in distressing times, we do also. Yet, just as they ended up faithful we can too since Christ is steadfast toward us (Matthew 28:20) and the Father will strengthen us “with might through His Spirit” (Ephesians 3:16).

God will complete the good work He began

As we read earlier, Jesus asked, “ . . . when the Son of Man comes, will He really find faith on the earth?” Will He discover patient, faith-filled Christians who will have fully prepared themselves for His coming? The answer is yes! “Then they will see the Son of Man coming in the clouds with great power and glory. And then He will send His angels, and gather together His elect from the four winds, from the farthest part of earth to the farthest part of heaven” (Mark 13:26-27).

Each day we should cultivate and strengthen our faith.

Of course, that day of rescue and reward is not yet here. As we live in this corrupt world, under the sway of Satan the devil (Revelation 12:9), our faith may be tested rigorously. But our faith can also be greatly strengthened while we wait patiently for God’s help and deliverance. As we endure troubles now, let us not be like some who capitulate when upset or crisis occurs (Matthew 13:20-21). Rather, let us always “ . . . pray and not lose heart” (Luke 18:1) while being fully confident “ . . . that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ” (Philippians 1:6). As a result, with the Eternal God’s invincible help, we can be absolutely assured our faith will survive the time of the end.