Parable of the Nobleman

Again the Saviour sought to correct the erroneous idea that the kingdom was immediately to appear, by the use of the following parable as he and the disciples were going up to Jerusalem: “A certain nobleman went into a far country to receive for himself a kingdom, and to return. And he called his ten servants, and delivered them ten pounds, and said unto them, Occupy till I come.... And it came to pass, that when he was returned, having received the kingdom, then he commanded these servants to be called unto him, to whom he had given the money, that he might know how much every man had gained by trading.” ^{41Luke 19:11-15.} In this parable the Lord represents himself by the nobleman. He was to go to a far country—to his Father—and there receive the kingdom, before returning to reign.GSAM 67.2

In response to the question of the disciples, “What shall be the sign of thy coming, and of the end of the world?” ^{42Matthew 24:3.} the Saviour gave them a list of the events that were to transpire down through the great tribulation that should come upon the church, and the definite signs that would occur. When these appeared, they might know that his coming was near, even at the doors, and that the generation that saw them would not pass off the stage of action until he came. ^{43Matthew 24: Luke 21; Mark 13.}GSAM 68.1