You might gaze out over the landscape of modern culture and shake your head in exasperated disgust. But Jesus would challenge you with the same sharp question He posed to His disciples. He told them that soon they would would watch in horror as their fellow Jews would kill the Messiah, persecute His followers, and embroil themselves in apostate rebellion; and then Jerusalem, that Holy City, would be devastated by the siege-works of Roman idolaters. Jesus asked them, “When the Son of Man comes will He find faith on the earth?”
It’s the sort of question grows more uncomfortable the more you ponder it. Christ appeals to heavenly courtroom imagery of Daniel 7, and asks whether there will be any faithful saints who will by prayer prosecute the covenant breaking of both Israel and Rome. In the midst of unravelling, persecution, and widespread abandonment of the faith, Christ calls His saints to persevere in their imprecatory prayers to bring the godless nations to heel.
As we confess our corporate faith in these public songs and prayers, as we shout out the Apostles’ Creed, we do so as a body of soldiers. Your faith can’t be tucked away in some private corner of your inner man. True faith in Christ cannot remain a private affair. It binds you to all those who are Christ’s.
Our corporate profession of faith then is a mighty witness against this unbelieving world. These prayers we pray prosecute our nation for the folly of living as if there is no God. Instead of shrugging your shoulders and wistfully thinking that it would sure be nice for more people to follow Christ, you are confronted by your Lord with that same question He posed to His disciples: when everything unravels, and the time for judgement against an ungodly nation arises, will you be amongst those who are found faithfully pleading for God to avenge His elect speedily?
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