This scripture is well known, well quoted and well used by those who believe that when the Lord comes He will scarecly find saving faith on the earth. They believe there will be very few with true faith in Christ at the end. If this is true then we can hardly expect revival in such days.
While it is true that Christ always contrasted between the "few" and the "many" this is not what this Scripture means. It is not talking about salvation or saving faith. So what is it talking about or what did Christ mean?
First of all Christ is not stating a fact but asking a question. Also the context of this verse is concerning prayer. The previous seven verese are about prayer. In verse 1 it says: "And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint;" So the whole point of the parable which He then relates is concerning praying and not fainting. The parable is about the persistent widow seeking vengence from the unrighteous judge. It was only because of her persistent prayer that he answered her.
Then Christ says: "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him, though he bear long with them? I tell you that he will avenge them speedily." What a promise.
Then He asks His question: "Nevertheless when the Son of man cometh, shall he find faith on the earth?" He is asking 'When He returns will He find this type of faith.' A faith thay lays hold of God and will not let go. A faith in prayer that cries out for vengence night and day against the enemy. A faith that will not faint in prayer.
Because of the darkness and deception of the last days many true believers who are truely born-again will grew weary, tired and faint. Christ is asking 'In this hour are you going to pray night and day asking for vengence against the enemies of your soul?' This little widow is an example to the end day Church to arise and pray, arise and believe, arise and prevail.
Will the Church of the last days just slump down under the darkness and barely scrape through or will she arise and pray? Why does the Lord put such a question to us? Because there is much He wants to do in the last days. There are prayers He wants to answer. I believe that one thing He has promised in this last hour is a last genuine deluge of latter rain in order to bring in one last harvest of souls before His judgement is poured out on the nations. But where are the saints who will prevail against the darkess, discouragements and apathy of this hour in order to ask for such until it comes?
When revival comes His enemies tremble at His presence. Revival is God's vengence on the enemy. Revival shatters the power of Satan, his kingdom and his binding, destroying work which has moved forward undeterred for years and generations Isa.37:20; Ps.102:15-16. We must ask for vengence against the adversary and look for a Holy Ghost revival that will bring deliverance to multitudes.
So far from being a deterrent from expecting revival our text is an encouragement to pray for such.
Lastly He says "though he bear long with them" He will "avenge them speedly." The night may seem long, the delay continual, the enemy wicked, the situation worsening, but hold on Saints of God He will suddenly, speedly, dramatically, completely answer and avenge us of the enemy.