The wedding garment given by the King to all who were brought into the feast was an outward symbol of

election. The Lord had said, `Except your righteousness shall exceed the righteousness of the Scribes and Pharisees,

ye shall in no case enter into the kingdom of the heavens'. `Fine linen is (or represents) the righteous acts of the

saints' (Rev. 19:8). Peter says to the dispersion, `Give all diligence, add to your faith ... give diligence to make your

calling and election sure' (2 Pet. 1:5-11). Just as fruit is the sign of growth and life, so the wedding garment is the

sign of election.

There are other aspects to be considered, and further truth to be discovered along this course which will be the

more clearly understood by continuing the study of the parables rather than by attempting an exhaustive study of this

one. By way of application, it is well for us, although having something very different from the marriage supper of

the Lamb before us either as bride or guests, to remember the exhortation to `walk worthy', and to note particularly

the reference to `reigning', a `crown', and a `prize' in the Prison Epistles.

Matthew 24:32-51

We now approach the concluding set of parables in the Gospel of Matthew.

Two kinds of servants (Matt. 24:32 to 25:30).

A a 24:32-44. FIG TREE AND NOAH.

Coming as a thief while the goodman slept.

`Ye know not what hour your Lord doth come'.

b 24:45-51. THE FAITHFUL AND EVIL SERVANTS.

The one made ruler, the other has his portion with the hypocrites.-

`Weeping and gnashing of teeth'

a 25:1-13. THE WISE AND FOOLISH VIRGINS.

`Ye know neither the day nor the hour'.

b 25:14-30. THE FAITHFUL AND UNPROFITABLE SERVANTS.

The reckoning. The one made ruler, the other cast into outer darkness.-

`Weeping and gnashing of teeth'.

It will be observed that the first two parables are introductory and preparatory to the more important and detailed

parables of chapter 25. The statement that follows the reference to the days of Noah, `Ye know not what hour your

Lord doth come', is echoed in the words that conclude the parable of the Ten Virgins, `Ye know neither the day nor

the hour'. So is it with the other pair. Let us then, while we examine 24:32-44, remember that it is providing a

setting and preparing us for the parable of the Ten Virgins.

The parable divides itself into two parts, both parts leading up to the thought that the day and hour of the coming

of the Son of man are not within the knowledge of man, and therefore watchfulness is imperative. This will be seen

the better if we consider the structure of the parable as follows:

A1 32-35. THE FIG.  Its lessons concerning what may be known.

A1 32,33. a Branch tender, and puts forth leaves.

b Ye know that summer is near.

a When ye shall see all these things.

b Ye know that He is near at the doors.

c This generation will not have passed away.

B1 34,35.

d Till all these things shall have come to pass.

c The heaven and the earth shall pass away.

d But My words shall not pass away.

B1 36.

WHAT NO ONE KNOWS.