<p>18:8<i> I say to you, that He will give justice to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of Man comes, shall he find faith on the earth?</i>- &ldquo;Nevertheless&quot;, despite the fact God answers prayer, being far more sensitive to our cries than the unjust judge- it is still a question as to whether there will be faith in prayer in the last days, at the Son of Man's coming. Whilst the article is indeed used, <i>&quot;the </i>faith&quot; doesn't have to mean 'the set of doctrines which comprise the one faith'. It may refer to that, but the article may be used here simply for emphasis. Will He find faith, <i>the </i>kind of faith which there ought to be given His sensitivity to us? The implication is that the experience of answered prayer <i>ought</i> to develop faith, but such will be the spiritual perils of the last days and the lack of serious prayer, that there may well be no faith in the final generation. Lot has just been cited in chapter 17 as an example of the latter day believers- and he was weak in faith, although saved. Likewise even the five wise virgins of the parable are sleeping when they ought to have stayed awake for their Lord's return.</p><p>The theme of prayer continues. Despite the power of prayer in bringing about the Lord's return in vengeance, Lk. 18:9-14 continues in this same context to warn that despite this:<br />- Perhaps the Lord won't find such faith in prayer when he returns<br />- Many will pray but be so sure of their own righteousness that their prayers are hindered<br />- The disciples will tend to despise the little ones in the ecclesia.<br /><i>May we not give way to these latter day temptations</i></p><p>There is the real possibility that when Christ returns, none will hold the faith. Only eight people were truly&nbsp;watching when the flood came; and Peter cites this as an example for us at the time of Christ's return. No wonder there is such emphasis upon the need to watch. If we are the generation which will see Christ's appearing, we will be the only people who never physically die. And we will be those who welcome the Lord Jesus to this earth, who stand ready to welcome Him. This is an honour higher than we probably appreciate. No wonder there is this pressing need in these last days to watch our doctrine, our way of life, <i>to hold on</i> to the great salvation which we have been given in prospect.&nbsp;</p>