1. Why was Jesus “overjoyed in the holy spirit”? (See opening picture.)

TRY to imagine what it must have been like to see Jesus when he was “overjoyed in the holy spirit.” Perhaps he had a big smile on his face and his eyes were full of excitement. But why? He had just sent 70 of his disciples to preach the good news of God’s Kingdom. Because there were many powerful enemies of the good news, he was eager to find out how his disciples would handle their assignment. These enemies included the scribes and Pharisees, who were very educated and smart. They wanted people to view Jesus as simply a carpenter and to view his disciples as “uneducated and ordinary men.” (Acts 4:13; Mark 6:3) Even so, when the disciples returned from their assignment, they were filled with joy. They had preached despite opposition, even from demons! Why were they able to stay joyful and courageous?​—Read Luke 10:1, 17-21.

2. (a) How were Jesus’ disciples like children? (b) What helped Jesus’ disciples to understand deep Bible truths?

² Jesus said to Jehovah: “I publicly praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and intellectual ones and have revealed them to young children. Yes, O Father, because this is the way you approved.” (Matthew 11:25, 26) Why did Jesus call his disciples young children? Because unlike the scribes and Pharisees, who were well-educated and who thought that they were wise, Jesus’ disciples were willing to be taught like children. They learned to be humble, not proud. (Matthew 18:1-4) Because they were humble, Jehovah used his holy spirit to help them understand deep Bible truths. But the proud Jewish religious leaders remained blinded by Satan and by their own pride.

3. What will we discuss in this article?

³ No wonder Jesus was so joyful! He was happy to see how Jehovah made known deep Bible truths to humble people regardless of their education. This way of teaching is approved by God, and God has not changed. How does he show that he still approves of this way of teaching? In this article, we will learn how Jehovah makes known deep Bible truths to humble people today.

EXPLAINING DEEP TRUTHS TO ALL

4. In what ways has the simplified edition of The Watchtower been a gift?

⁴ In recent years, God’s organization has highlighted the importance of teaching in a simpler and clearer way. Let us discuss three examples. First, there is the simplified edition of The Watchtower.a (See footnote.) It is a gift that has helped many, including those who have difficulties with reading or with language. Families find that because of the simplified edition, their children understand The Watchtower better. Many have written letters of appreciation. One sister said that she used to be afraid to comment at the Watchtower Study. But not anymore! After using the simplified edition, she wrote: “I now comment more than once, and the fear is gone! I thank Jehovah and you.”

5. What are some benefits of the revised edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures?

⁵ Second, there is the revised edition of the New World Translation of the Holy Scriptures, released in English at the annual meeting on October 5, 2013.b (See footnote.) Many scriptures now use fewer words, yet their meaning has not changed and they are easier to understand. For example, Job 10:1 went from 27 words to 19, and Proverbs 8:6 went from 20 words to 13. Both verses are clearer in the new edition. One anointed brother who has been serving Jehovah faithfully for many years said, “I just read the book of Job in the new edition, and I feel as if I understand it for the first time!” Many have said something similar.

6. How do you feel about our clearer understanding of Matthew 24:45-47?

⁶ Third, think about some of the recent improvements in our understanding of certain scriptures. For example, a clearer understanding of “the faithful and discreet slave” was published in the July 15, 2013, Watchtower. (Matthew 24:45-47) That article explained that the faithful slave is the Governing Body. And the “domestics” are those of the anointed and of the “other sheep,” who are all fed by the faithful slave. (John 10:16) We enjoy learning about these truths and are happy to teach them to others! In what other ways has Jehovah shown that he approves of teaching that is simple and clear?

A SIMPLER EXPLANATION OF BIBLE ACCOUNTS

7, 8. What are some examples of Bible accounts that represented something greater in the future?

⁷ If you have been serving Jehovah for many years, you have likely noticed a change in the way our literature explains some Bible accounts. In the past, it was common to say that some accounts represented something greater in the future. The account itself was called the type. What the type represented was called the antitype. Are there good reasons for explaining Bible accounts in this way? Yes. For example, Jesus referred to “the sign of Jonah the prophet.” (Read Matthew 12:39, 40.) Jesus explained that the time that Jonah spent in the belly of the fish represented the time that Jesus would spend in the grave.

⁸ There are other Bible accounts that represented something greater in the future. The apostle Paul described several of them. For example, Abraham’s relationship with Hagar and Sarah represented Jehovah’s relationship with the nation of Israel and the heavenly part of God’s organization. (Galatians 4:22-26) In a similar way, the tabernacle, the temple, Atonement Day, the high priest, and other elements of the Law were “a shadow of the good things to come.” (Hebrews 9:23-25; 10:1) It strengthens our faith when we study these Bible accounts and what they represent. But does that mean that every person, event, and object described in the Bible represents someone or something?

9. In the past, how was the Bible account of Naboth explained?

⁹ In the past, our literature often explained that each person, event, or object in some accounts represented someone or something. For example, wicked Queen Jezebel had Naboth executed so that her husband, Ahab, could take Naboth’s vineyard. (1 Kings 21:1-16) In 1932, The Watchtower explained that Ahab and Jezebel represented Satan and his organization, that Naboth represented Jesus, and that Naboth’s death represented Jesus’ execution. However, in 1961, the book “Let Your Name Be Sanctified” said that Naboth represented the anointed and Jezebel represented Christendom. Also, Naboth’s persecution by Jezebel represented the persecution of the anointed during the last days. For many years, these explanations have strengthened the faith of God’s people. So why are we explaining things differently now?

10. (a) In what way is the faithful slave more cautious when explaining certain Bible accounts? (b) What does our literature focus more on today?

¹⁰ Over the years, Jehovah has helped “the faithful and discreet slave” to become more discreet, or cautious. In what way? Now the faithful slave is careful to say that a Bible account represents something greater only when there is a clear Scriptural reason to do so. Some older explanations about types and antitypes were difficult to understand, to remember, and to apply. Most important, when too much focus was put on the possible greater meanings of Bible accounts, the moral or practical lessons were lost. So, today our literature focuses more on simple, practical lessons about faith, endurance, godly devotion, and other valuable qualities that we can learn from Bible accounts.c​—See footnote.

11. (a) How do we now understand the account about Naboth, and how does his example help us? (b) In recent years, why has our literature rarely mentioned types and antitypes? (See “Questions From Readers” in this issue.)

¹¹ Our understanding of the account of Naboth is clearer and simpler now. Naboth did not die because he represented Jesus or the anointed. Instead, he died because he was determined to stay faithful to God. He remained obedient to Jehovah’s Law despite severe persecution from a powerful ruler. (Numbers 36:7; 1 Kings 21:3) What a good example for all of God’s servants today who may have to endure similar persecution. (Read 2 Timothy 3:12.) All Christians can understand, remember, and apply that lesson and strengthen their faith.

12. (a) What should we not conclude about Bible accounts? (b) Why are we able to have clear explanations of even deep things? (See footnote.)

¹² Should we conclude that Bible accounts have only practical lessons and no other meaning? No. But instead of explaining some Bible accounts as types and antitypes, our publications now focus more on how one Bible account relates to another. For example, Naboth’s integrity despite persecution and death does remind us of the integrity of Christ and the anointed. However, we are also reminded of the integrity of many of the “other sheep.” We can clearly see how Jehovah is teaching us in a simple way.d​—See footnote.

A SIMPLER EXPLANATION OF JESUS’ ILLUSTRATIONS

13. What examples show that we now explain some of Jesus’ illustrations in a simpler, clearer way?

¹³ Jesus Christ was the greatest Teacher who ever lived. He loved to use illustrations, or examples, to teach. (Matthew 13:34) Illustrations are effective because they explain difficult ideas in a simple way that can make us think and can affect our heart. Over the years, our literature has explained Jesus’ illustrations in a simpler and clearer way. For example, The Watchtower of July 15, 2008, helps us to understand more clearly Jesus’ illustrations of the leaven, the mustard seed, and the dragnet. Now we can see that these illustrations refer to God’s Kingdom, which has helped many people to reject this wicked world and to become disciples of Christ.

14. (a) How did we explain the parable of the kind Samaritan? (b) How do we understand Jesus’ parable now?

¹⁴ How can we understand the more detailed stories, or parables, that Jesus told? Some of these stories are symbolic or prophetic. Others teach a practical lesson. But how can we know which stories are symbolic and which are not? Over the years, the answer has become clearer. For example, think about the way we used to explain Jesus’ parable of the kind Samaritan. (Luke 10:30-37) In 1924, The Watch Tower said that the Samaritan represented Jesus and that the road that ran downhill from Jerusalem to Jericho represented the worsening condition of humans since the rebellion in Eden. Also, the thieves on the road represented large corporations and greedy businessmen, and the priest and the Levite represented Christendom. But today, our literature uses that illustration to remind all Christians not to be prejudiced. We must help all those in need, especially by helping them to learn the truth about God. It brings us joy to see how Jehovah makes the truth clear.

15. What will we discuss in the next article?

¹⁵ In our next article, we will discuss Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins. (Matthew 25:1-13) How did Jesus want his followers in the last days to understand that powerful illustration? Does every person, object, or event in the illustration represent someone or something greater in the future? Or did he want us to learn practical lessons that would help us during the last days? Let us see.

1, 2. (a) What did Jesus reveal about the last days? (b) What questions will we discuss?

TRY to imagine Jesus sitting on the Mount of Olives overlooking the temple in Jerusalem. He is with four of his apostles, Peter, Andrew, James, and John. They pay close attention to Jesus as he tells them a thrilling prophecy about the future. The prophecy reveals what would happen during the last days of this wicked world when Jesus would rule in God’s Kingdom. Jesus tells them that during that exciting time, his “faithful and discreet slave” would represent him on earth and would give his followers spiritual food at the proper time.​—Matthew 24:45-47.

² Next, in that same prophecy, Jesus tells the parable of the ten virgins. (Read Matthew 25:1-13.) In this article, we will discuss these questions: (1) What is the parable’s basic message? (2) How have faithful anointed ones applied the parable’s counsel, and what are the results? (3) How can each of us benefit from Jesus’ parable today?

WHAT IS THE PARABLE’S MESSAGE?

3. In the past, how has our literature explained the parable of the ten virgins, with what possible result?

³ In the previous article, we learned that in recent years, the faithful slave has adjusted the way certain Bible accounts are explained. The faithful slave now focuses more on practical lessons and less on possible symbolic or prophetic meanings. Take, for example, Jesus’ parable of the ten virgins. Our literature used to say that the lamps, the oil, and the flasks represented something or someone. Is it possible that by focusing on small details, the simple, urgent message of the parable was lost? The answer to that question is important.

4. In the parable, how do we know (a) who is the bridegroom? (b) who are the virgins?

⁴ Let us examine the basic message in Jesus’ parable. First, think about the characters in the parable of the ten virgins. Who is the bridegroom? Jesus. We know this because earlier, Jesus referred to himself as the bridegroom. (Luke 5:34, 35) Who are the virgins? They are the “little flock” of anointed Christians. How do we know? In the parable, the virgins must be ready with their lamps lit when the bridegroom comes. Now note what Jesus said to his anointed followers: “Be dressed and ready and have your lamps burning, and you should be like men waiting for their master to return from the marriage.” (Luke 12:32, 35, 36) In addition, both the apostle Paul and the apostle John compared Christ’s anointed followers to chaste virgins. (2 Corinthians 11:2; Revelation 14:4) So we can see that the counsel and warning found at Matthew 25:1-13 is directed to Jesus’ anointed followers.

5. How did Jesus reveal the time period when his parable would apply?

⁵ Next, what time period does Jesus’ counsel apply to? What Jesus said near the end of the parable helps us to know. He said: “The bridegroom came.” (Matthew 25:10) In the July 15, 2013, Watchtower, we learned that Jesus’ prophecy in Matthew chapters 24 and 25 refers eight times to Jesus’ “coming.” When Jesus refers to his “coming,” he is referring to the time during the great tribulation when he comes to judge and destroy this wicked world. So we can conclude that Jesus’ parable applies to the last days, but he will “come” during the great tribulation.

6. What is the basic message of the parable?

⁶ What basic message do we learn from this parable? Remember the context of the Bible account. In Matthew chapter 24, Jesus discussed “the faithful and discreet slave.” That slave would be a small group of anointed men who would take the lead among Christ’s followers during the last days. Jesus warned those men that they must remain faithful. In the next chapter, Jesus uses the parable of the ten virgins to counsel all his anointed followers in the last days. The message was to “keep on the watch” so that they would not lose their heavenly reward. (Matthew 25:13) Let us now examine the parable and see how the anointed have applied the counsel.

HOW HAVE THE ANOINTED APPLIED THE COUNSEL OF THE PARABLE?

7, 8. (a) Why were the discreet virgins ready? (b) How are the anointed prepared?

⁷ In the parable, Jesus emphasizes that unlike the foolish virgins, the discreet virgins were ready when the bridegroom came. Why? Because they were prepared and watchful. All ten virgins needed to remain alert and to keep their lamps burning during the night. Unlike the foolish virgins, the five discreet virgins were prepared because they brought extra oil along with their lamps. How have faithful anointed Christians prepared for Jesus’ arrival?

⁸ The anointed are prepared to fulfill their assignment until the end. They realize that their service to God will require giving up material comforts found in Satan’s world, but they are willing to do so. They are determined to serve Jehovah loyally, not because the end is near, but because they love him and his Son. They keep their integrity and do not allow the world’s materialistic, immoral, and selfish attitudes to affect them. Like the discreet virgins who were ready with their lamps, the anointed continue shining brightly, patiently waiting for the arrival of the Bridegroom, even if he may seem to be delayed.​—Philippians 2:15.

9. (a) What warning did Jesus give about drowsiness? (b) How have the anointed responded to the shout: “Here is the bridegroom”? (See also footnote.)

⁹ The discreet virgins were also ready for the bridegroom’s arrival because they were watchful. But in the parable, all ten virgins “became drowsy and fell asleep” while waiting for the bridegroom who seemed to be delayed. So is it possible for anointed Christians today to “fall asleep,” that is, to become distracted while waiting for Christ’s arrival? Yes. Jesus knew that even a person who is willing and eager could become weak and distracted while waiting for his arrival. So faithful anointed Christians have worked even harder to keep on the watch. How so? In the parable, all ten virgins responded to the shout: “Here is the bridegroom!” But only the discreet virgins remained watchful. (Matthew 25:5, 6; 26:41) Similarly, during the last days, faithful anointed Christians have responded to the shout: “Here is the bridegroom!” They have accepted the strong evidence that Jesus is about to come, and they are ready for his arrival.a (See footnote.) Let us next examine the end of Jesus’ parable, which focuses on a specific time period.

REWARD FOR THE DISCREET AND PUNISHMENT FOR THE FOOLISH

10. What might we ask about the conversation between the discreet virgins and the foolish virgins?

¹⁰ Near the end of the parable, the foolish virgins ask the discreet virgins to give them oil for their lamps. But the discreet virgins refuse to help. (Read Matthew 25:8, 9.) But when have faithful anointed Christians ever refused to help someone in need? Remember the time period that the parable applies to. Jesus, the Bridegroom, comes to judge near the end of the great tribulation. So it is likely that the conversation refers to what happens just before the end of the great tribulation. Why do we say so? Because by that time, the anointed will have received their final sealing.

11. (a) What will happen just before the start of the great tribulation? (b) What did the discreet virgins mean by telling the foolish virgins to go and buy oil?

¹¹ So, then, before the great tribulation starts, all the faithful anointed on earth will have received their final sealing. (Revelation 7:1-4) From then on, it is certain that they will go to heaven. But think about the years before the great tribulation. What would happen to anointed ones who did not keep on the watch and became unfaithful? They would not receive a final sealing. By that time, other faithful Christians would be anointed. Once the tribulation begins, the foolish ones may be shocked to see Babylon the Great destroyed. It may only be then that they realize they are not ready for Jesus’ arrival. At that time, what would happen if they asked for help? The answer is in the parable. The discreet virgins refused to give their oil to the foolish virgins and instead told them to go and buy oil. Since it was “in the middle of the night,” there was no one to sell oil to them. It was too late!

12. (a) During the great tribulation, what will happen to any who were once anointed but who became unfaithful before the final sealing? (b) What will happen to those who are like the foolish virgins?

¹² During the great tribulation, faithful anointed ones cannot help anyone who became unfaithful. It will be too late. So, what will happen to the unfaithful? Notice what happened to the foolish virgins who went off to buy oil: “The bridegroom came. The virgins who were ready went in with him to the marriage feast, and the door was shut.” When Jesus comes in his glory near the end of the great tribulation, he will gather the faithful anointed ones to heaven. (Matthew 24:31; 25:10; John 14:1-3; 1 Thessalonians 4:17) However, Jesus will reject the unfaithful ones. Like the foolish virgins, they may say: “Sir, Sir, open to us!” But how will Jesus respond? Sadly, he will give them the same answer that he will give to many goatlike ones: “I tell you the truth, I do not know you.”​—Matthew 7:21-23; 25:11, 12.

13. (a) Why is there no need to conclude that many of Christ’s anointed followers will become unfaithful? (b) Why can we say that Jesus’ parable reveals his confidence in anointed Christians? (See opening picture.)

¹³ Was Jesus saying that many of the anointed will become unfaithful and need to be replaced? No. In Matthew chapter 24, we read that Jesus warned the faithful and discreet slave not to turn into an evil slave. This did not mean that he expected to see that happen. Similarly, the parable of the ten virgins is a warning. Just as five virgins were foolish and five were discreet, each anointed Christian must choose to be prepared and watchful. Otherwise, he or she could become foolish and unfaithful. Paul gave a similar warning to his anointed brothers and sisters. (Read Hebrews 6:4-9; compare Deuteronomy 30:19.) His warning was direct, but he also had confidence that his brothers and sisters would receive their reward. The warning in the parable of the ten virgins reveals that Jesus had similar confidence in the anointed. He knows that each of his anointed servants can remain faithful and receive the wonderful reward!

HOW CAN CHRIST’S “OTHER SHEEP” BENEFIT?

14. Why can the “other sheep” also benefit from the parable of the ten virgins?

¹⁴ Jesus’ parable was directed to anointed Christians. But can the “other sheep” also benefit from Jesus’ parable? (John 10:16) Yes! The message of the parable is simple: “Keep on the watch.” And Jesus once said: “What I say to you, I say to all: Keep on the watch.” (Mark 13:37) Jesus requires that all his disciples be prepared and watchful. And all Christians can imitate the good example of the anointed, who put the ministry first in their lives. Remember that the foolish virgins asked the discreet virgins to give them some of their oil. Their request was not granted. That reminds us that it is up to each of us to remain faithful to God, to be prepared, and to keep on the watch. No one can do that for us. Each of us is accountable to the righteous Judge, Jesus Christ, who is coming soon. So we must be ready!

15. Why is the marriage of Christ and his bride thrilling for all true Christians?

¹⁵ All Christians are thrilled about the marriage that is mentioned in Jesus’ parable. In the future, after the war of Armageddon, anointed Christians will become Christ’s bride. (Revelation 19:7-9) Everyone on earth will then benefit from that marriage in heaven. Why? Because it guarantees a perfect government for all humans. Whether we hope to live forever in heaven or on earth, let us stay determined to be prepared and keep on the watch. If we do so, we can enjoy the wonderful future that Jehovah has prepared for us!

In the past, our publications often mentioned types and antitypes. However, in recent years, this is rarely done. Why?

The Watchtower of September 15, 1950, gave a definition of a “type” and an “antitype.” It explained that a type is a person, an event, or an object that represents someone or something greater in the future. An antitype is the person, event, or object that the type represents. A type was also called a shadow, and an antitype was called a reality.

In the past, our publications said that faithful men and women such as Deborah, Elihu, Jephthah, Job, Rahab, Rebekah, and many others were types who represented either the anointed or the “great crowd.” (Revelation 7:9) For example, we said that Jephthah, Job, and Rebekah represented the anointed and that Deborah and Rahab represented the great crowd. However, in recent years, we have not made similar comparisons. Why is that?

The Scriptures do teach that some Bible characters are types that represent someone or something greater in the future. For example, at Galatians 4:21-31, the apostle Paul refers to “a symbolic drama” that involves two women. The first woman is Hagar, Abraham’s slave girl. Paul explains that she represented the nation of Israel, which was bound to Jehovah by the Mosaic Law. The second woman is “the free woman,” Sarah, Abraham’s wife. She represented God’s wife, which is the heavenly part of God’s organization. Paul also mentions the many similarities between the king-priest Melchizedek and Jesus. (Hebrews 6:20; 7:1-3) In addition, Paul compares the prophet Isaiah and his sons to Jesus and the anointed Christians. (Hebrews 2:13, 14) Jehovah inspired Paul to make all these comparisons, so we can be sure that these types and antitypes are accurate.

However, even when the Bible shows that a person is a type, we should not assume that every detail or event in that person’s life represents something greater in the future. For example, Paul explains that Melchizedek represents Jesus. Yet, Paul does not mention the time that Melchizedek brought out bread and wine for Abraham after he defeated four kings. So there is no Scriptural reason to search for a hidden meaning in that event.​—Genesis 14:1, 18.

Some writers in the centuries after Christ’s death made a serious mistake. They made almost every Bible account a type. The International Standard Bible Encyclopaedia describes the teachings of Origen, Ambrose, and Jerome, explaining: “They sought for types, and of course found them, in every incident and event, however trivial, recorded in Scripture. Even the most simple and commonplace circumstance was thought to conceal within itself the most [hidden] truth . . . , even in the number of fish caught by the disciples on the night the risen Saviour appeared to them​—how much some have tried to make of that number, 153!”

Another writer, Augustine of Hippo, explained that the Bible account in which Jesus fed 5,000 men with five barley loaves and two fish had a symbolic meaning. He said that the five barley loaves represented the first five books of the Bible. And because barley was thought to be inferior to wheat, this meant that the “Old Testament” was inferior to the “New Testament.” Also, he explained that the two fish represented a king and a priest. Another scholar explained that Jacob’s buying Esau’s birthright with a bowl of red stew represented Jesus’ buying the heavenly hope for mankind with his red blood!

If those explanations seem hard to believe, you can understand the problem. Humans cannot know which Bible accounts represent something greater and which do not. Therefore, what is the wise thing to do? When the Scriptures teach that a person, an event, or an object represents something greater in the future, we accept that explanation. However, we should not give a symbolic meaning to a Bible account when there is no Scriptural reason to do that.

How, then, can we benefit from details and accounts that we read in the Bible? The apostle Paul wrote: “All the things that were written beforehand were written for our instruction, so that through our endurance and through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope.” (Romans 15:4) Paul was writing to the anointed Christians in the first century, telling them how they could benefit from Bible accounts. However, since that time, all Christians, including the “other sheep,” have benefited from the lessons found in the Scriptures.​—John 10:16; 2 Timothy 3:1.

Most Bible accounts, therefore, do not apply to only the anointed, the “other sheep,” or Christians during one specific time in history. Instead, most Bible accounts have benefited all of God’s servants, both in the past and present. For example, Job’s suffering does not represent only the suffering of the anointed during World War I. Many of God’s people, both men and women, both of the anointed and of the “other sheep,” have suffered like Job and have benefited from studying that account. They “have seen the outcome Jehovah gave, that Jehovah is very tender in affection and merciful.”​—James 5:11.

In our congregations today, we find faithful older women who are loyal like Deborah, as well as young elders who are wise like Elihu. We also find pioneers who have zeal and courage similar to that of Jephthah, as well as faithful men and women who are patient like Job. We are very thankful that Jehovah made sure that “all the things that were written beforehand” are available for us today, so that “through the comfort from the Scriptures we might have hope”!

So for these reasons, we do not try to find a symbolic meaning or future fulfillment in every Bible account. Instead, our literature now focuses more on teaching valuable lessons from the Scriptures.

1, 2. Why did Jesus tell the parable of the talents?

JESUS told the parable of the talents to make clear to his anointed followers what their responsibility is. But that parable affects all of Jesus’ disciples. So whether we have the hope of living in heaven or on earth, we need to understand the meaning of this parable.

² When did Jesus tell the parable? It was while he was giving his disciples a sign that would show that he had become King and that the time of the end had begun. (Matthew 24:3) So the parable of the talents is part of that sign and is being fulfilled in our time.

3. What do we learn from the parables in Matthew chapters 24 and 25?

³ When Jesus told the parable of the talents, he told three other parables that were also part of the sign of the time of the end. All these parables describe specific qualities that his followers must have. We can read these parables at Matthew 24:45 to 25:46. The first parable is about the faithful slave, the small group of anointed ones who have the responsibility to teach Jehovah’s people. They need to be faithful and discreet.a (See footnote.) The following parable is about the ten virgins. In it, Jesus warned all the anointed ones that they would need to be prepared and watchful because they would not know the day or the hour when he would come.b (See footnote.) Next, Jesus told the parable of the talents to teach all the anointed ones that they would need to work hard in caring for their Christian responsibilities. Then, Jesus told the parable of the sheep and the goats, which focuses on those who would have the hope of living on earth. He emphasized that they must be loyal and do all they can to help his anointed brothers.c (See footnote.) This article will explain the meaning of the parable of the talents.

A MAN GIVES HIS SLAVES A LOT OF MONEY

4, 5. Whom does the man in the parable refer to, and what is a talent?

⁴ Read Matthew 25:14-30. In the parable of the talents, Jesus talked about a man who went on a journey. In a similar parable, Jesus spoke about a man who went on a journey to become a king.d (See footnote.) (Luke 19:12) Our publications have said for many years that in both parables this man refers to Jesus, who went to heaven in the year 33. But Jesus did not immediately become King when he went to heaven. He waited until 1914, when his enemies were “placed as a stool for his feet.”​—Hebrews 10:12, 13.

⁵ Jesus said that the man in the parable had eight talents. That was a lot of money.e (See footnote.) Before the man went away, he gave this money to his slaves. He told them to use it to make more money for him. Just as the money was very valuable to that man, there was something that was very valuable to Jesus. What was that? It was the work he did while he was on earth.

6, 7. What do the talents refer to?

⁶ The preaching work was very important to Jesus. As a result of his preaching, many became his disciples. (Read Luke 4:43.) But he knew that there was more work to do and that more people would accept the good news. In fact, he told his disciples: “Lift up your eyes and view the fields, that they are white for harvesting.” (John 4:35-38) A good farmer would not abandon a field that was ready to be harvested. Jesus had the same attitude. So just before he returned to heaven, Jesus commanded his followers: “Go, therefore, and make disciples.” (Matthew 28:18-20) In this way, Jesus gave them a precious treasure, the important responsibility to preach.​—2 Corinthians 4:7.

⁷ Like the man who gave his money to his slaves, Jesus gave his anointed followers the work of making disciples. (Matthew 25:14) So the talents refer to the responsibility to preach and make disciples.

8. Even though each slave received a different amount of money, what did the master expect?

⁸ Jesus said that the master gave five talents to the first slave, two talents to the second slave, and one talent to the third slave. (Matthew 25:15) The master gave each slave a different amount of money, but he expected all of them to do their best to make more money for him. In the same way, Jesus expected his anointed followers to do their best in the preaching work. (Matthew 22:37; Colossians 3:23) At Pentecost in the year 33, Jesus’ followers began making disciples of people of all nations. And when we read the Bible book of Acts, we see clearly how hard they worked.f (See footnote.)​—Acts 6:7; 12:24; 19:20.

THE SLAVES USE THE TALENTS IN THE TIME OF THE END

9. (a) What did the two faithful slaves do with the money, and what do we learn from that? (b) What must those who hope to live on earth do?

⁹ The first two slaves, who used their master’s money well, refer to the faithful anointed brothers and sisters during the time of the end. Especially since 1919, they have been doing their best in the preaching work. In the parable, each of the two slaves received a different amount of money, but this does not mean that there are two different groups of faithful anointed ones. Both slaves worked hard and doubled the money. But are the anointed the only ones who must work hard in the preaching and teaching work? No. Jesus’ parable of the sheep and the goats teaches us that those who hope to live forever on earth must help his anointed brothers with the preaching work and be loyal to them. They feel that it is an honor to help them. Yes, Jehovah’s people are “one flock,” and they all work hard to preach and make disciples.​—John 10:16.

10. What is one part of the sign that proves we are living in the time of the end?

¹⁰ Jesus expects all his followers to work hard to make more disciples. That is what his disciples did in the first century. In this time of the end, when Jesus’ parable about the talents is being fulfilled, are his followers doing this work? Yes, never before have so many people heard the good news and become disciples! Because of the hard work that is being done by all of Jesus’ followers, hundreds of thousands of people are getting baptized each year. And they too join in the preaching work. All this activity and the good results clearly show that the preaching work is an important part of the sign Jesus gave about the time of the end. No doubt, Jesus is pleased with his workers!

WHEN WILL THE MASTER COME?

11. How do we know that Jesus will come during the great tribulation?

¹¹ Jesus said: “After a long time, the master of those slaves came and settled accounts with them.” (Matthew 25:19) The Master, Jesus, will do this toward the end of the great tribulation. How do we know that? In his prophecy found in Matthew chapters 24 and 25, Jesus said many times that he is coming. For example, he said that people “will see the Son of man coming on the clouds of heaven.” This refers to the time during the great tribulation when Jesus will judge people. He also warned his followers living in the time of the end to be watchful. He said: “You do not know on what day your Lord is coming” and, “The Son of man is coming at an hour that you do not think to be it.” (Matthew 24:30, 42, 44) So in the parable of the talents, Jesus was also referring to the time when he will come to judge people and destroy Satan’s world.g​—See footnote.

12, 13. (a) What does the master say to the two slaves, and why? (b) When do anointed ones receive their final sealing? (See also the box “Judged As Worthy When They Die.”) (c) What reward will those who supported the anointed receive?

¹² When the master came back from his journey, he saw that the slave with five talents had earned five more and the slave with two talents had earned two more. The master told each of them: “Well done, good and faithful slave! You were faithful over a few things. I will appoint you over many things.” (Matthew 25:21, 23) What will the Master, Jesus, do when he comes in the future?

¹³ Just before the great tribulation, God will give his final approval to the hardworking anointed ones who are still on earth at that time. This is their final sealing. (Revelation 7:1-3) Then, before Armageddon, Jesus will reward them by raising them to heaven. But what about those with the hope of living on earth who supported the anointed in the preaching work? They will have been judged as sheep. And they will be rewarded with life on earth under the rule of God’s Kingdom.​—Matthew 25:34.

A WICKED AND LAZY SLAVE

14, 15. Was Jesus saying that many anointed ones would become wicked and lazy? Explain.

¹⁴ The parable also mentions the slave who had one talent. He did not use it to make more money for his master or put it in the bank to earn interest. Instead, he buried the money. The master said that the slave was wicked and lazy. He took the talent away from the wicked slave and gave it to the first slave. Then he threw the wicked slave out “into the darkness,” and there the slave cried in despair.​—Matthew 25:24-30; Luke 19:22, 23.

¹⁵ When Jesus said that one of the three slaves was wicked and lazy, he did not mean that one third of the anointed ones would be like that slave. We know this by comparing this parable with two others. In the parable of the faithful and discreet slave, Jesus mentioned an evil slave who persecuted the other slaves. Jesus did not mean that those who are part of the faithful and discreet slave would become evil. Instead, he was warning those anointed ones that they should not become like the evil slave. Then, in the parable of the ten virgins, Jesus mentioned five foolish virgins. He was not saying that half of those who are anointed would be foolish. Instead, Jesus was warning about what would happen if they were not prepared and watchful.h (See footnote.) Similarly, in the parable of the talents, Jesus was not saying that many of the anointed ones during the last days would be wicked and lazy. No, he was warning the anointed ones not to become like a wicked slave but to continue working hard in the preaching work.​—Matthew 25:16.

16. (a) What two lessons do we learn from the parable of the talents? (b) How has this article helped us to understand the parable of the talents? (See the box “How Should We Understand the Parable of the Talents?”)

¹⁶ What two lessons do we learn from the parable of the talents? First, Jesus gave his anointed disciples a precious treasure, the important responsibility to preach and make disciples. Second, Jesus expects all of us to work hard in the preaching work. If we endure faithfully in this work and remain obedient and loyal to Jesus, we can be sure that he will reward us.​—Matthew 25:21, 23, 34.

1, 2. (a) What parables did Jesus tell his close friends? (See opening picture.) (b) What do we need to know about the parable of the sheep and the goats?

JESUS was talking to his close friends Peter, Andrew, James, and John about something very interesting. After telling them the parables of the faithful and discreet slave, the ten virgins, and the talents, Jesus told his friends another parable. In it, he spoke about a time when “the Son of man” will judge “all the nations.” He said that “the Son of man” will separate people into two groups, one described as the sheep and the other as the goats. And he described an important third group, the King’s “brothers.”​—Read Matthew 25:31-46.

² Like the apostles, Jehovah’s servants in our time have also been interested in this parable because the lives of people are involved. Jesus said that some will receive everlasting life but that others will be destroyed. This is why it is very important that we know what the parable means and what we must do to receive everlasting life. So in this article, we will answer the following questions: How has Jehovah helped us to understand this parable? How do we know that the parable emphasizes the preaching work? Who should preach? And why is it important for people to be loyal now to “the King” and his “brothers”?

HOW HAS JEHOVAH HELPED US TO UNDERSTAND THE PARABLE?

3, 4. (a) What do we need to know to understand this parable? (b) In 1881, how did the Watch Tower explain this parable?

³ To understand what the parable of the sheep and the goats means, we need to know (1) who is “the Son of man,” or “the King,” who are the sheep and the goats, and who are the King’s “brothers”? (2) when does “the Son of man” separate, or judge, the sheep and the goats? and (3) why are some called sheep and others called goats?

⁴ In 1881, the Watch Tower said that “the Son of man,” or “the King,” is Jesus. And it explained that the King’s “brothers” were not only those who will rule in heaven with Jesus but also all people who will live on earth when they become perfect. The Watch Tower said that people would be separated during the Thousand Year Rule of Christ and that those who imitated God’s love in everything they did would be called sheep.

5. In 1923, how did God’s people understand the parable?

⁵ Later, Jehovah helped his people to understand this parable more clearly. In 1923, the Watch Tower of October 15 said that “the Son of man” is Jesus. But then it used Bible verses to explain that the “brothers” in the parable refer only to those who will rule with Jesus and that they would all be in heaven during the Thousand Year Rule. It also said that the sheep refer to those who will live on earth under the rule of Jesus and his brothers. And since the parable says that these ones help the King’s brothers, the separating, or judgment, would need to happen while these anointed brothers of Jesus are still on earth, before the Thousand Year Rule begins. The article also said that the sheep would be those who believe in Jesus and who believe that the Kingdom will bring a better life.

6. In 1995, how did our understanding of the parable change?

⁶ For many years we thought that people were judged by means of the preaching work in this time of the end. If they accepted our message, they were sheep, and if they rejected the message, they were goats. But in 1995 the way we understood the parable changed. The Watchtower compared Matthew 24:29-31 (read) with Matthew 25:31, 32 (read), and explained that Jesus will judge people during the great tribulation when the Son of man “comes in his glory.”a​—See footnote.

7. What does the parable mean?

⁷ Today, we understand the parable of the sheep and the goats clearly. We know that “the Son of man,” or “the King,” is Jesus. The King’s “brothers” are those who are anointed with holy spirit and who will rule in heaven with Jesus. (Romans 8:16, 17) “The sheep” and “the goats” are people from all nations. They will be judged toward the end of the great tribulation that will soon begin. And we know that Jesus will judge people according to how they have treated the anointed ones who are still on earth. We are so grateful that Jehovah has helped us over the years to understand this parable and the other parables in Matthew chapters 24 and 25!

THE PARABLE TEACHES US THAT THE PREACHING WORK IS VERY IMPORTANT

8, 9. Why did Jesus call the sheep “righteous”?

⁸ Jesus did not use the words “preach” or “preaching work” in the parable of the sheep and the goats. So how do we know that the parable teaches us that the preaching work is very important?

⁹ To find the answer, we first have to remember that Jesus was teaching a lesson by means of a parable. He was not talking about real sheep and goats. So in the same way, he did not mean that every person who will be judged as a sheep should give food and clothes to the anointed, look after them when they are sick, or visit them in prison. No, Jesus described the sheep as “righteous” because they view the anointed as his brothers and because they are loyal to the anointed during these difficult last days.​—Matthew 10:40-42; 25:40, 46; 2 Timothy 3:1-5.

10. How can the sheep help Christ’s brothers?

¹⁰ When Jesus gave the parable of the sheep and the goats, he had been talking about what would happen in the time of the end. (Matthew 24:3) For example, he said: “This good news of the Kingdom will be preached in all the inhabited earth.” (Matthew 24:14) And then, just before he spoke about the sheep and the goats, he gave the parable of the talents. Jesus told this parable to teach the anointed ones that they must work hard in the preaching work. But there are only a small number of them left on earth, and there is so much work to do! The anointed have been told to preach to “all the nations” before the end. As we learn in the parable of the sheep and the goats, “the sheep” help Jesus’ brothers. And one of the best ways they can do this is to help Jesus’ brothers with the preaching work. But is it enough just to donate money for the work or to encourage them to do the preaching work?

WHO SHOULD PREACH?

11. What question might some ask, and why?

¹¹ Today, there are eight million disciples of Jesus, and most of them are not anointed. Jesus did not give them the talents. He gave the talents to his anointed brothers. (Matthew 25:14-18) So some may ask, ‘If Jesus did not give them the talents, do they really need to preach?’ Yes. Let us see why.

12. What do we learn from Jesus’ words found at Matthew 28:19, 20?

¹² Jesus commanded all his disciples to preach. After Jesus was resurrected, he told his followers to “make disciples” and to teach them “all the things” he had commanded. So these disciples also had to obey Jesus’ command to preach. (Read Matthew 28:19, 20.) It is clear that all of us must preach, whether we hope to live in heaven or on earth.​—Acts 10:42.

13. What do we learn from the vision that John saw?

¹³ From the book of Revelation, we learn that the preaching work would be done both by the anointed and by others. Jesus gave the apostle John a vision of a “bride” who invites people to come and drink water that gives life. The bride refers to the 144,000 anointed ones who will rule with Jesus in heaven. (Revelation 14:1, 3; 22:17) The water refers to Jesus’ ransom sacrifice that will help people to have life without sin and death. (Matthew 20:28; John 3:16; 1 John 4:9, 10) Anointed ones zealously teach people about the ransom and how they can benefit from it. (1 Corinthians 1:23) But the vision mentions another group of people who are not anointed but who have the hope of living on earth. They too are commanded to tell people: “Come!” And they obey that command by teaching others the good news. So this vision shows that all those who accept the message of the good news must preach to others.

14. How do we obey “the law of the Christ”?

¹⁴ All who obey “the law of the Christ” must preach. (Galatians 6:2) Jehovah expects all who worship him to obey the same laws. In the past, he expected both Israelites and foreigners living with them to obey his laws. (Exodus 12:49; Leviticus 24:22) Of course, today we do not need to obey all the laws given to the Israelites. Instead, whether we are anointed or not, we must obey “the law of the Christ.” One of the most important things Jesus taught us is to love. (John 13:35; James 2:8) We must love Jehovah, Jesus, and people. And the best way we show that love is by telling people about the good news of the Kingdom.​—John 15:10; Acts 1:8.

15. Why can we say that Jesus commanded all his disciples to preach?

¹⁵ What Jesus said to a few of his disciples can sometimes refer to many disciples. For example, Jesus made a covenant with just 11 of his disciples and promised them that they would rule in his Kingdom. But 144,000 will rule with him. (Luke 22:29, 30; Revelation 5:10; 7:4-8) And after Jesus was resurrected, only a few of his disciples heard his command to preach. (Acts 10:40-42; 1 Corinthians 15:6) But all of Jesus’ disciples in the first century obeyed that command. (Acts 8:4; 1 Peter 1:8) Today, too, we know that we must preach, even though we have not heard Jesus’ voice telling us to do this work. In fact, there are eight million of us doing the preaching work. We know that by preaching, we show that we truly have faith in Jesus.​—James 2:18.

NOW IS THE TIME TO BE LOYAL

16-18. How can we loyally help Christ’s brothers, and why should we do this now?

¹⁶ Satan is fighting more and more against Christ’s anointed brothers who are still on earth, and he knows that he has only “a short period of time” left. (Revelation 12:9, 12, 17) But despite Satan’s attacks, the anointed continue to lead the preaching work and more people than ever before are hearing the good news. Clearly, Jesus is with the anointed, and he is guiding them.​—Matthew 28:20.

¹⁷ We feel that it is an honor to help Christ’s brothers by preaching. We also help by donating money and working hard to build Kingdom Halls, Assembly Halls, and branch offices. When we loyally obey the elders and other brothers appointed by “the faithful and discreet slave,” we show that we want to help Christ’s brothers.​—Matthew 24:45-47; Hebrews 13:17.

¹⁸ Soon the remaining anointed ones will receive the final sealing. Then the angels will let go of “the four winds of the earth,” and the great tribulation will begin. (Revelation 7:1-3) Before Armageddon begins, Jesus will take the anointed to heaven. (Matthew 13:41-43) So if we want to be judged as sheep when Jesus comes, now is the time to be loyal to Christ’s anointed brothers.

Some servants of God who are single have said something similar. They know that Jehovah wants his servants to marry “only in the Lord,” that is, to marry only true Christians. (1 Corinthians 7:39) So why do some Christians say these things?

WHY SOME HAVE DOUBTS

Christians who say these things may feel that there are more single sisters than single brothers. In many countries, this is true. For example, in Korea, 57 percent of single Christians are sisters and 43 percent are brothers. And in Colombia, 66 percent of Christians are sisters and 34 percent are brothers.

In some places, parents who are not Witnesses may demand a lot of money or other expensive gifts when their daughters get married. And some single brothers may not be able to afford these gifts. As a result, some sisters worry about whether they will ever be able to find a Christian husband.a​—See footnote.

CONFIDENCE IN JEHOVAH IS ESSENTIAL

If you have ever had similar feelings, you can be sure that Jehovah understands your situation and knows exactly how you feel.​—2 Chronicles 6:29, 30.

Still, in the Bible, Jehovah commands us to marry only in the Lord. Why? Because he knows what is best for us and he wants to protect us. He does not want us to make bad choices that will hurt us or make us unhappy. In Nehemiah’s day, many Jews were marrying women who did not serve God. So Nehemiah mentioned the bad example of Solomon. He “was loved by his God, so that God made him king over all Israel. But the foreign wives caused even him to sin.” (Nehemiah 13:23-26) Jehovah knows that his reminders are good for us, and that is why he has directed Christians to marry only in the Lord. (Psalm 19:7-10; Isaiah 48:17, 18) We are very thankful that he gives us counsel that is loving and reliable. When we obey Jehovah as our Ruler, we accept that he has the right to tell us what to do.​—Proverbs 1:5.

Surely, you do not want to become “unevenly yoked,” that is, to marry someone who does not love Jehovah. That person could cause you to stop serving God. (2 Corinthians 6:14) God’s counsel always works, and many Christians today have wisely chosen to obey Jehovah. However, others have chosen differently.

STILL REALISTIC

A sister in Australia named Maggy began dating someone who was not a true Christian.b (See footnote.) She says: “I missed a lot of meetings just to be with him. My spirituality dropped drastically.” Another young woman in India named Ratana dated a classmate who started studying the Bible. However, he only studied the Bible so that he could date her. Eventually, she stopped serving Jehovah and joined another religion so that she could marry him.

Ndenguè from Cameroon was 19 years old when she married a man who did not serve Jehovah. Before their wedding, he promised that she could continue to be a Witness. However, two weeks after their wedding, he told her that she was not allowed to go to congregation meetings. She says: “I found myself lonely and weeping. I realized that I had lost control of my life. I felt constant remorse.”

It is true that some Christians have married a mate who does not serve Jehovah but who is still kind and fair. However, even if your mate who did not serve Jehovah was kind, how would your relationship with Jehovah be affected? How would you feel knowing that you did not listen to the counsel he gave for you to be happy? And most important, how would Jehovah feel about what you have done?​—Proverbs 1:33.

Brothers and sisters around the world who have obeyed Jehovah’s counsel to marry “only in the Lord” are convinced that this is the best decision. Single brothers and sisters are determined to make Jehovah happy by marrying someone who worships him. Michiko from Japan was determined to obey God even though her relatives tried to convince her to marry someone who did not love Jehovah. And it was hard for her to watch some of her friends marry true Christians while she remained unmarried. She says: “I kept telling myself that since Jehovah is a ‘happy God,’ our happiness does not depend on whether we are married or not. I also believe that he grants us the desires of our heart. So if we cannot find a mate even though we want to marry, it is best for us to stay single for the time being.” (1 Timothy 1:11) Later on, Michiko married a fine brother, and she is happy that she listened to Jehovah’s counsel.

There also are some brothers who have waited to find the right person to marry. For example, Bill from Australia admits that at times he was attracted to women who were not Witnesses. However, he did not get too friendly with any of them because he did not want to start a relationship that would result in his becoming “unevenly yoked” with an unbeliever. Over the years, he was also interested in a few sisters, but they did not feel the same way about him. Bill waited 30 years until he found a Christian woman who had similar goals. He says: “I have no regrets. I feel blessed because we go out in the ministry together, study together, and worship together. I am happy to meet and associate with my wife’s friends because they are all fellow worshippers of Jehovah. We work on our marriage using Bible principles.”

WHILE WAITING ON JEHOVAH

What can you do while you trust in Jehovah’s counsel and wait for a husband or a wife who serves him? You can think about why you are not married. If you feel that it is because you want to obey Jehovah’s command, then you can be sure that this makes Jehovah happy. (1 Samuel 15:22; Proverbs 27:11) Also, continue to pray to Jehovah regularly and tell him exactly how you feel. (Psalm 62:8) As you do your best to resist temptation and fight wrong desires, your relationship with Jehovah will be strengthened day by day. You can be confident that Jehovah cares about your desires and your needs because you are precious to him. He does not promise anyone a husband or a wife. But if marriage is what you really need, Jehovah knows the best way to satisfy your needs.​—Psalm 145:16; Matthew 6:32.

At times you may feel like David, who said: “Do answer me quickly, O Jehovah; my strength has come to an end. Do not hide your face from me.” (Psalm 143:5-7, 10) Do not give up. Give Jehovah time to show you what he wants you to do. Listen to Jehovah by reading the Bible and meditating deeply on what you have read. This will help you know what Jehovah requires of you and how he has helped his servants in the past. By listening to him, you will have the confidence to keep obeying him.

What else can you do to remain happy and busy while you are single? You can work on strengthening your relationship with Jehovah and developing a good reputation. You can also learn to be generous, hardworking, easy to get along with, and loyal to Jehovah. These qualities are necessary for a happy marriage. (Genesis 24:16-21; Ruth 1:16, 17; 2:6, 7, 11; Proverbs 31:10-27) Seek first the Kingdom by staying busy in the ministry and in your congregation. These things will protect you from making unwise decisions. Bill says of the years that he was single: “They passed so quickly! I used the time in Jehovah’s service as a pioneer.”

Jehovah’s command to marry “only in the Lord” is not old-fashioned or out-of-date. By choosing to marry a true Christian, we honor Jehovah and we will be happy. The Bible says: “Happy is the man who fears Jehovah, who takes great pleasure in his commandments. Wealth and riches are in his house, and his righteousness continues forever.” (Psalm 112:1, 3) So be determined to obey God’s command to marry “only in the Lord.”