2. (a) In Jesus’ case, what did the traveling abroad of the wealthy man picture, and to whom did he go? (b) With what did the Master return?

² Since the wealthy man in the parable pictures Jesus Christ, the man’s traveling abroad for a long trip pictures Jesus going to the one Source of the special joy that he had in view. To whom, then, did he go? Hebrews 12:2 tells us: “We look intently at the Chief Agent and Perfecter of our faith, Jesus. For the joy that was set before him he endured a torture stake, despising shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Yes, indeed, Jehovah God is the Source of that joy. It was to him that Jesus went away, leaving his faithful disciples here on earth entrusted with his “talents.” The Master returned with “many things” that he had not had when he committed the eight silver talents to his three slaves. An earlier parable given by Jesus, the parable of the “ten minas,” specifies that what he came back with was “kingly power.”​—Luke 19:12-15.

4. After being enthroned as King, why did Jesus Christ have a special basis for inviting his faithful “slaves” into a joyful condition?

⁴ If, then, it was a joyful occasion when he merely presented himself to Jerusalem’s inhabitants as the one anointed with Jehovah’s spirit for the kingship, how much more was it the case when he was actually enthroned as King at the close of the Gentile Times in 1914? It was a most joyful occasion for him. Then, indeed, he did enter into a joy never experienced before. On settling accounts, he could therefore say to the disciples whom he judged to be “good and faithful”: “You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things. Enter into the joy of your master.” (Matthew 25:21) There was now a new joy in which his approved “slaves” could share. What a reward!

5. (a) The apostle Paul was an ‘ambassador’ for Christ at what stage of affairs? (b) But today the anointed remnant are “ambassadors” for Christ after what development?

⁵ In 1919 the anointed disciples of the reigning King, Jesus Christ, did enter into an approved condition, and this was attended with immense joy on their part. Nineteen centuries earlier the apostle Paul wrote to his fellow believers to tell them of their exalted position: “We are therefore ambassadors substituting for Christ.” (2 Corinthians 5:20) That was written when Jesus was yet merely the heir apparent with the prospect of receiving “the kingdom of the heavens.” (Matthew 25:1) So, then, he needed to sit at God’s right hand and to wait there for the day of inauguration. But now, since 1919, the approved remnant have been “ambassadors” sent forth by One actually reigning as King. (Hebrews 10:12, 13) This fact was specially called to the attention of the International Bible Students at the Cedar Point, Ohio, convention in 1922.