ield, or of two women engaged side by side in household duties, the
faithful one shall be taken and the sinner left. "Watch therefore," was
the solemn behest, "for ye know not what hour your Lord doth come." In
explication of this admonishment, the Lord condescended to compare the
suddenness and secrecy of His coming to the movements of a
night-prowling thief; and pointed out, that if a householder had certain
knowledge as to the time of a burglar's predetermined visit, he would
remain on vigilant watch; but because of uncertainty he may be found off
his guard, and the thief may enter and despoil the home.

Again likening the apostles to duly appointed stewards in a great
household,[1160] the Lord spoke of Himself as the householder, saying:
"The Son of man is as a man taking a far journey, who left his house,
and gave authority to his servants, and to every man his work, and
commanded the porter to watch. Watch ye therefore: for ye know not when
the master of the house cometh, at even, or at midnight, or at the
cockcrowing, or in the morning: Lest coming suddenly he find you
sleeping. And what I say unto you I say unto all, Watch." But if the
steward grow negligent because of his master's long absence, and give
himself up to feasting and unlicensed pleasure, or become autocratic and
unjust toward his fellow-servants, his lord shall come in an hour when
least expected, and shall consign that wicked servant to a place among
the hypocrites, where he shall weep bitter tears of remorse, and gnash
his teeth in impotent despair.[1161]

THE NEED OF WATCHFULNESS AND DILIGENCE ILLUSTRATED BY PARABLES.

To more indelibly impress upon the apostles, and, through their
subsequent ministry, upon the world, the absolute need of unceasing
watchfulness and unwavering diligence in preparation for the coming of
the Lord in judgment, Jesus depicted in parables the prospective
condition of mankind in the last times. The first of these illustrative
portrayals is the _Parable of the Ten Virgins_. The only report of it we
have is that given by Matthew,[1162] as follows:

"Then shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten virgins, which
took their lamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom. And five of
them were wise, and five were foolish. They that were foolish took their
lamps, and took no oil with them: but the wise took oil in their vessels
with their lamps. While the bridegroom tarried, they all slumbered and
slept. And at midni