They are the 12 tribes of Israel.....
Jesus said he would come *Like a Thief in the night* so keep watch...
To me this just commands a bit of common sense...
How would one know a thief might be breaking in there home?
They might hear an opening of a door, or maybe a window opening...
They hear..They respond...
If you ignore what happens?
The thief takes what he wants and leaves, and you arise to find that you have been *left* with nothing....
A person who is diligent and aware is always looking out. Always alert to what is happening. Not taking things for granted and not trying to plug in events to preconceived ideas. Blessings.