There are still on earth those prospective members of that heavenly Kingdom who are in the service of that government. During this most critical period of all human history, these servants of “the kingdom of the heavens” are being called to account. They have to settle with the government as to how they have used the valuable things entrusted to them.

2. Why should we be very interested in a certain parable as told by the “Prince of Peace”?

² To illustrate this matter, the foremost representative of that “kingdom of the heavens” long ago related a parable, or an illustration. This should interest us today, for the “Prince of Peace” included it in his long-range prophecy concerning “the sign” that would mark his “presence” in the Kingdom with full authority to rule. (Matthew 24:3) We today are inextricably involved with the consequences that follow the fulfillment of the prophetic parable, since our continued existence, our very life, is involved. So here now is the way that the “Prince of Peace” told the parable to his apostles a few days before his sacrificial death on Calvary.

For it is just as when a man, about to travel abroad, summoned slaves of his and committed to them his belongings.

—Matthew 25:13-30.