Why did Jesus ask if he will find faith on earth at his second coming?

Jesus' question about finding faith at his Second Coming reveals a concern that humanity might again fail to recognize him, much as they did during his first advent. This is because his return, like his first coming, will be in the flesh, defying literal expectations of a dramatic, visible appearance in the clouds. Spiritual discernment and a humble heart, rather than rigid interpretations, are essential to recognize God's new providence.

Why did Jesus ask if he will find faith on earth at his second coming? This profound question from Jesus reveals a deep concern about humanity's capacity to recognize and receive him upon his return. Understanding this query illuminates the inherent challenges of the Second Coming and underscores our responsibility to prepare our hearts and minds for God's unfolding providence.

The Biblical Foundation: A Pattern of Rejection

Jesus posed this searching question, "When the Son of Man comes, will he find faith on earth?" (Luke 18:8), immediately after sharing the parable of the persistent widow. This was not a rhetorical inquiry but expressed a genuine apprehension rooted in consistent historical patterns. Jesus' question makes sense only if he knew his return would not be a universally acknowledged, glorious appearance in the clouds. Instead, like his first coming, it would be a quiet arrival in the flesh, to be met with suffering and rejection, much like his own experience (Luke 17:25). He foresaw a pattern similar to "the days of Noah," where people were unaware of God's impending judgment until it was too late.

Throughout biblical history, God’s chosen messengers frequently encountered rejection from those who should have welcomed them. The prophets were routinely persecuted and killed, as noted in Matthew 23:37, where Jesus laments, "Jerusalem, Jerusalem, you who kill the prophets and stone those sent to you." Jesus himself, despite fulfilling numerous messianic prophecies, was rejected by the religious leaders and a significant portion of his own people. He wept over Jerusalem, proclaiming, "They will dash you to the ground, you and the children within your walls. They will not leave one stone on another, because you did not recognize the time of God’s coming to you" (Luke 19:44). If the chosen people, with their extensive preparation, prophecies, and fervent longing, failed to recognize Jesus at his first coming, what guarantees recognition at his Second Coming? This historical precedent paints a sobering picture of humanity’s tendency to miss God’s intervention due to preconceived notions or spiritual insensitivity.

Divine Principle's Clarification: The Danger of Misinterpretation

The Divine Principle illuminates the profound reason behind Jesus' concern: the pervasive danger of literalistic misinterpretation of prophecy. At his first coming, many expected a Messiah who would manifest as a conquering king, politically overthrowing Roman rule and restoring Israel's earthly dominion. Their expectations were meticulously shaped by a literal understanding of passages like Isaiah 9:6-7. When Jesus instead appeared as a humble carpenter's son (Matthew 13:55), teaching spiritual transformation and love rather than leading a military campaign, they overwhelmingly rejected him, culminating in his crucifixion. The Old Testament speaks of only one coming of the Messiah, and had Jesus been accepted, no Second Coming would have been necessary.

The Divine Principle warns that the same pitfall awaits believers concerning the Second Coming. Many Christians anticipate a dramatic, literal return "on the clouds of heaven with power and great glory" (Matthew 24:30), expecting an unmistakable supernatural display visible to all. However, Jesus' question makes little sense if his return were to be so obvious; if he came visibly in the clouds, he would not suffer, be ignored, or question finding faith. The prophecies of "coming on the clouds" are metaphorical, signifying a return as the central figure surrounded by faithful believers, much like how "one like a son of man, coming with the clouds of heaven" (Daniel 7:13) was fulfilled by Jesus' birth as a man. Similarly, Elijah, who ascended in a chariot of fire, returned as John the Baptist, born of a woman, not literally in the clouds. Scripture also declares that the Lord of the Second Advent must come in the flesh, as only a physical being can provide both spiritual and physical salvation and complete the work of atonement on Earth (2 John 1:7). If, like his first advent, the manner of his return defies conventional expectations, a literal interpretation will lead to a catastrophic repetition of history. This prophetic warning reveals that a literal, uncritical expectation will blind believers to the true manifestation of God's providence.

Understanding the Deeper Meaning: The Need for Spiritual Discernment

Jesus' question challenges us to cultivate a living relationship with God that transcends fixed expectations. True faith is not merely intellectual assent to doctrines or rigid adherence to a predetermined script, but a dynamic receptivity to God's will, even when it unfolds in unexpected ways. The religious scholars of Jesus' time possessed vast knowledge of scripture and practiced devout observance, yet their lack of spiritual sensitivity and humility prevented them from recognizing God walking among them. Their established traditions and interpretations became barriers rather than pathways to God's new revelation.

For the Second Coming, this demands a radical openness to God’s activity. We must develop hearts that are humble, flexible, and discerning, capable of perceiving God’s presence and work regardless of how it aligns with our preconceived notions. This requires studying Scripture deeply, not just for its literal details, but for its profound spiritual meaning and underlying principles. It involves constant prayer for guidance and discernment, asking God to prepare our spirits to receive His providence. Ultimately, it demands a life dedicated to genuine love, truth, and service, which refines our spiritual senses and makes us attuned to the "still small voice" (1 Kings 19:12) of God's new truth.

Living the Principle

Jesus' question calls for proactive spiritual preparation. 1. Cultivate a humble and open heart, ready to embrace new truth from God. 2. Prioritize personal spiritual growth and discernment over fixed presumptions. 3. Engage in deep scriptural study, seeking spiritual meaning beyond literal interpretation. 4. Live a life of selfless love and righteous action, developing spiritual sensitivity.

These answers explain the Bible in the light of the Divine Principle, the teachings of Reverend Sun Myung Moon. .

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