Luke 18:1-8 And He also spoke a parable to them to teach it is always right to pray, and not to faint, saying, A certain judge was in a certain city, not fearing God and not respecting man. And a widow was in that city, and she came to him, saying, Avenge me from my adversary. And for a time he would not. But after these things he said to himself, Even if I do not fear God, and do not respect man, yet because this widow causes me trouble, I will avenge her, that coming in the end she may not subdue me. And the Lord said, Hear what the unrighteous judge says; and will God not at all execute the avenging of His elect, those crying to Him day and night, also being patient over them? I say to you that He will carry out the avenging of them speedily. But the Son of man coming then, will He find faith on the earth?
At face value, this parable is like the comparison to the tax collectors giving gifts to their children (if the unrighteous earthly father’s do it, how much more so will our righteous heavenly Father). Also, Luke tells us that the intention of the parable is to establish the importance of prayer: to teach it is always right to pray, and not to faint. However, I believe this parable has a deeper prophetic meaning directly connected to Yeshua’s return.
Yeshua had just been asked by the Pharisees about when the kingdom of God will come, and He told them that it was in their midst (Luke 17:20-21). After that (Luke 17:22-37), He was explaining to His disciples what signs and events would herald His return and this parable was a continuation of that teaching. So, the discussion subject matter surrounding the parable was end time prophecy, which makes it reasonable to assume that the parable is as well.
There are three main characters in this parable: 1) the unrighteous judge, 2) the widow, and 3) YHWH (our righteous judge).
- The Unrighteous Judge
The judge in the story is the antithesis of YHWH (our righteous judge); I believe this unrighteous judge is the red dragon from Revelation (Satan). The earthly manifestation of the judge is the leopard-like beast of Revelation, which under the power and authority of Satan, immediately began persecuting “the church” once Yeshua was gone. See our study on the beast’s identity, here.
2. The Widow
The widow is “the church”, whose bridegroom was crucified. Yeshua had completed the first contract in the marriage contract, the erusin (אירוסין). The second contract, the nissuin (נשואין), will be at His return. However, the erusin is binding and makes the couple legally married. (See our study on the Marriage Supper of the Lamb, here.) Therefore, when Yeshua was crucified, “the church” became His widow.
I am using the term “the church” here, but the Greek word used in Revelation can also be translated “the assembly”. See our study on the seven churches, here.
There were times over the past 2000 years when the beast appeared to be the defender of “the church”, but ultimately it was her adversary. YHWH will judge “the church’s” adversary at the time appointed for the end.
When the unrighteous judge decided to avenge the church, he said, “because this widow causes me trouble, I will avenge her, that coming in the end she may not subdue me.” Satan and his beast do not want “the church” to subdue them. They began persecuting her immediately after she became a widow, however, once it became apparent that they could not destroy her, they switched tactics. They instead positioned themselves as her defender and leader. In this role, over the centuries, they have deceived many into believing that they are the righteous judge and speak with God’s authority. They have changed times and laws and have led many to the error of lawlessness.
2 Thessalonians 2:3-12 Do not let anyone deceive you in any way, because that Day will not come unless first comes the falling away, and the man of sin is revealed, the son of perditions, the one opposing and exalting himself over everything being called God, or object of worship, so as for him to sit in the temple of God, as God, showing himself that he is a god. Do you not remember that I told you these things, I yet being with you? And now you know the thing holding back, for him to be revealed in his time. For the mystery of lawlessness already is working, only he holding back now, until it comes out of the midst; and then the Lawless One will be revealed, whom the Lord will consume by the spirit of His mouth; and He will bring to nothing by the brightness of His coming; His coming is according to the working of Satan in all power and miracles and lying wonders, and in all deceit of unrighteousness in those being lost because they did not receive the love of the truth in order for them to be saved. And because of this, God will send to them a working of error, for them to believe the lie, that all may be judged, those not believing the truth, but who have delighted in unrighteousness. (This passage requires a whole study of its own!)
Many people believe that “the church” is what needs to be taken out of the way (the rapture) for the Lawless One to be revealed. They use this as evidence for a pre-tribulation rapture. However, “the church” hasn’t been subduing (holding back) the Lawless One, rather the Lawless One has been deceiving and subduing “the church”.
3. YHWH (our Righteous Judge)
YHWH is our Righteous Judge.
2 Timothy 4:8 For the rest, the crown of righteousness is laid up for me, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me in that day–and not only to me, but also to all the ones loving His appearance.
Yeshua says, “…will God not at all execute the avenging of His elect, those crying to Him day and night, also being patient over them? I say to you that He will carry out the avenging of them speedily. But the Son of man coming then, will He find faith on the earth?” Let’s read some scripture that shows this vengeance will come at the time appointed for the end:
Revelation 6:9-11 And when He opened the fifth seal, I saw under the altar the souls of those having been slain for the word of God, and for the witness which they had. And they cried with a great voice, saying, Until when, holy and true Master, do You not judge and take vengeance for our blood, from those dwelling on the earth? And there was given to each one a white robe. And it was said to them that they should rest yet a little time, until might be fulfilled also the number of their fellow slaves and their brothers, those being about to be killed, even as they.
2 Peter 3:9 The Lord is not slow as to the promise, as some deem slowness, but is long-suffering (patient) toward us, not having purposed any of us to perish, but all of us to come to repentance. But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will pass away with rushing sound, and having burned the elements will be dissolved, and earth and the world in it will be burned up.
Isaiah 59:15-21 And the truth is lacking; and whoever turns from evil makes himself a prey. And YHWH saw; and it was evil in His eyes, that there was no justice. And He saw that there was no man, and He was astonished that there was no intercessor. And His own Arm saved for Him; and His righteousness sustained Him. For He put on righteousness like armor, and a helmet of salvation on His head. And He put on robes of vengeance as clothing; and He put on zeal like a mantle. According to works, so He will repay; fury to His foes; recompense to His foes; He will repay recompense to the coasts. So they shall fear YHWH’s name from the sunset and His glory from the sunrise. When the foe comes like a flood, the Spirit of YHWH shall cause him to flee. And the Redeemer comes to Zion, and to those in Jacob who turn from transgression, declares YHWH. As for Me, this is My covenant with them, says YHWH: My Spirit who is on you, and My words which I have put in your mouth, shall not depart out of your mouth, or out of the mouth of your seed, or out of the mouth of your seed’s seed, from now on and forever, says YHWH.
Leviticus 26:23-25 And if you are not instructed by Me by these things, and shall walk contrary to Me then I, I also shall walk contrary to you, and shall smite you, even I, seven times more for your sins; and I will bring a sword on you, executing the vengeance of the covenant, and you shall be gathered to your cities, and I shall send pestilence among you, and you will be given into the hand of an enemy.
Jeremiah 15:15 O YHWH, You know. Remember me and visit me, and take vengeance for me on those who seek to hurt me. Do not take me away in Your long-suffering (patience): know that I bear reproach for You.
Matthew 24:9-13 Then they will deliver you up to affliction, and will kill you; and you will be hated by all nations for My name’s sake. And then many will be offended, and they will deliver up one another, and will hate one another. And many false prophets will be raised and will cause many to err. And because lawlessness shall have been multiplied, the love of many will grow cold. But the one who endures to the end, that one will be saved.
Revelation 12:11 And they overcame him because of the blood of the Lamb, and because of the word of their testimony. And they did not love their soul even until death.
YHWH’s Word speaks often of His vengeance and judgement:
- Leviticus 26:25
- Deuteronomy 32:41
- Psalm 94:1
- Isaiah 1:24; 35:4; 47:3
- Jeremiah 5:29; 51:56
- Ezekiel 25:17
- Micah 5:15
- Nahum 1:2
- Romans 12:19
- Hebrews 10:30
YHWH’s Word speaks often of His Day of Vengeance indicating that He will “carry out the avenging of them speedily.”:
- Deuteronomy 32:35
- Isaiah 34:8; 61:2; 63:4
- Jeremiah 46:10; 51:6
- Luke 21:22
These verses tell us of the end of Satan’s reign on earth and the beginning of Yeshua’s kingdom. “But the Son of man coming then, will He find faith on the earth?“
So, how does this “teach” us “it is always right to pray, and not to faint?” The unrighteous judge was worn down by the widow’s persistent requests. In contrast, the Righteous Judge is not worn down by them, but requires them of her!
The word translated “faint” is Strong’s g1573 ἐκκακέω, ekkakeo: to be utterly spiritless, to be wearied out, exhausted. To lose courage, flag, faint.
Throughout scripture we are encouraged to patiently wait for Yeshua’s return, and to run our race with patient endurance, to not lose courage or give in to spiritual exhaustion. We are to watch and wait for His second coming, while praying. Prayer is communication with YHWH. It is how we give our burdens to Him and it reminds us that He is in control, we are not alone, and it is His will that will be done. This is faith. This is believing in Him. This is salvation.
Here are a few such scriptures, but there are many more!
Revelation 14:9-16 And a third angel followed them, saying in a great voice, If anyone worships the beast and its image, and receives a mark on his forehead, or on his hand, he also shall drink of the wine of the anger of God having been mixed undiluted in the cup of His wrath. And he will be tormented by fire and brimstone before the holy angels and before the Lamb. And the smoke of their torment goes up forever and ever. And those worshipping the beast and its image have no rest night and day, even if anyone receives the mark of its name. Here is the patience of the saints; here are the ones keeping the commands of God, and the faith of Jesus. And I heard a voice out of Heaven saying to me, Write: Blessed are the dead, the ones dying in the Lord from now. Yes, says the Spirit, they shall rest from their labors, and their works follow with them. And I saw; and behold, a white cloud; and on the cloud One sitting, like the Son of man, having on His head a golden crown, and in His hand a sharp sickle. And another angel went forth out of the temple crying in a great voice to the One sitting on the cloud, Send Your sickle and reap, because Your hour to reap came, because the harvest of the earth was dried. And the One sitting on the cloud thrust His sickle onto the earth, and the earth was reaped.
Hebrews 12:1-2 So therefore, we, having so great a cloud of witnesses encircling us, having laid aside every weight and the easily-surrounding sin, let us through patience run the race set before us, looking to the Author and Finisher of our faith, Jesus, who because of the joy set before Him endured the cross, despising the shame, and sat down at the right of the throne of God.
Psalm 130 Out of the depths I have called You, O YHWH. Lord, here my voice; and let Your ears attend to the voice of my prayers. If You will keep iniquities, O Lord, who shall stand? But forgiveness is with You, in order that You may be feared. I wait for YHWH; my soul waits, and I hope for His word. My soul waits for the Lord more than morning-watchers who are watching for the morning. Let Israel hope to YHWH; for with YHWH is mercy; and with Him is abundant redemption; and He shall redeem Israel for all his sins.
Romans 12:9-13 Let love be without dissimulation, shrinking from evil, cleaving to good; in brotherly love to one another living fervently, having gone before one another in honor. As to diligence, not slothful; warm in spirit, serving the Lord; in hope, rejoicing; in affliction, enduring; in prayer, steadfastly continuing, imparting to the needs of the saints; pursuing hospitality.
Galatians 6:9 But we should not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap, if we do not faint.
Psalm 37:1-9 Do not inflame yourself with evildoers; and do not be envious against workers of perversity; for they soon wither like grass and fade like the green herb. Trust in YHWH and do good; live in the land and feed on faithfulness. And delight yourself in YHWH, that He may give you your heart’s desire. Roll your way on YHWH and trust in Him; and He will work. And He will bring forth your righteousness like the light; and your judgment like the noonday. Rest in YHWH and wait patiently for Him; inflame not yourself with him who prospers in this way, with the man practicing evil wiles. Abstain from anger and cease from fury, also do not inflame yourself to do evil. For evildoers shall be cut off; and the ones waiting on YHWH, they shall inherit the earth.
Colossians 3:12 Then put on as the elect of God, holy and beloved, tender feelings of compassions, kindness, humility, meekness, long-suffering (patience),
Conclusion
This parable tells us that we are to patiently wait and pray, enduring persecution for Yeshua’s sake, maintaining our faith, until He returns at the appointed time to establish His millennial kingdom and avenge His elect.
The unrighteous judge was guilty of allowing maltreatment of the widow (up until Emperor Constantine in the fourth century), but the widow could not be destroyed. The unrighteous judge then switched tactics and brought the widow in under its protection, giving her a new home and new leadership (Roman Catholicism). The unrighteous judge deceived the widow into false beliefs (the error of lawlessness) to ensure she would not be able to subdue it when the end times come.
YHWH, the Righteous Judge, will avenge His elect on the unrighteous judge. At the time appointed for the end, Yeshua will return and rescue His elect (those He will find remaining faithful), and destroy the unrighteous judge and ALL who follow its ways.
Matthew 24:13 But the one who endures to the end, that one will be saved.
May you be blessed by this study. Shalom.