At Luke 18:8, Jesus asks the question "...will he really find the faith on the earth?" However, the NWT is the only Bible translation which inserts "the" into this scripture, yet without using the typical brackets that are utilized when words are inserted for clarity by the NWT translators--and even though the expression "the faith" is not in the original Greek nor appears in any interlinear translations. Does it not seem that the expression "the faith" being used here instead of "faith" is intended to point directly to the ideas conveyed by the Watchtower's teaching of having been appointed in 1919? What might be an explanation for saying Jesus will be looking for "the faith" and not that he will be looking for "faith" on the earth at his return? Finally, can you elaborate on what Jesus will be looking for at his return when he uses the expression "the faith" or "faith" (depending on your determination as to the NWT's handling of Jesus' words), and how we personally can be found by him in this regard?

Actually, the expression “the faith” is used in numerous places in the Greek Scriptures, and not only in the New World Translation but in others as well. For example, Acts 6:7 reads: “Consequently the word of God went on growing, and the number of the disciples kept multiplying in Jerusalem very much; and a great crowd of priests began to be obedient to the faith.” The King James and the NIV as well as other versions I checked all say “the faith” in that particular verse.

1 Corinthians 16:13 also refers to “the faith.” It reads: “Stay awake, stand firm in the faith, carry on as men, grow mighty.” The aforementioned translations also use the same expression.

I am not in a position to say why the Watchtower did not put brackets around [the] at Luke 18:8, but it seems that the NWT is justified in using the term “the faith” since it is used elsewhere in the Bible to denote a specific faith.

As for the import of Jesus words, here is the immediate context of Luke 18:8: “Certainly, then, shall not God cause justice to be done for his chosen ones who cry out to him day and night, even though he is long-suffering toward them? I tell you, He will cause justice to be done to them speedily. Nevertheless, when the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?”

Jesus was discussing his return and judgment day. In the previous verses Jesus foretold of a great separation work that would take place, where one will be taken along and the other abandoned. There are reasons, too numerous to cite here, leading to the conclusion that the separation Jesus was taking about will take place among Christians—sifting out the faithful from the unfaithful. The chosen ones, mentioned in the verse under consideration, are those who pass the test, which Revelation 3:10 refers to as a test that is coming upon the entire world.

In verses 9-13 Jesus followed up his comment about “the faith” with an illustration of two men with contrasting attitudes. One man, a Pharisee, prayed to himself boasting of his assumed righteousness because of his following organizational rituals. The other man, a despised tax collector, begged God to have mercy on him because he was a sinner. Jesus concluded the illustration, saying: “I tell you, this man went down to his home proved more righteous than that man; because everyone that exalts himself will be humiliated, but he that humbles himself will be exalted.”

Since the self-exalted have not been humbled and the lowly have not been exalted, and since the context of Jesus’ illustration has to do with the arrival of the Son of man, it would appear that “the faith” Jesus referred to has to do with each one’s faith in God, as opposed to trusting in an organization or in ourselves.

Like the Pharisee of Jesus’ illustration, many of Jehovah’s Witnesses may be inclined to trust in their own righteousness based upon adherence to organizational works. But during the hour of test it will not matter how long one has served at Bethel or how many hours a publisher has spent in field service. That’s because the organization is going to be shattered.

In view of the unquestioning trust (bordering on idolatry) that so many place in the organization, it is not entirely clear whether Jehovah's Witnesses have the sort of faith that can survive the collapse of the Watchtower. That is what will be determined when the Son of man arrives and initiates the judgment upon the house of God.

No doubt that is why Jesus posed the somewhat discomforting question: “When the Son of man arrives, will he really find the faith on the earth?”