The Ten Virgins

Jesus, the Son of God, told this story. Long ago the people were going to have a marriage. Ten young girls were selected to go with the bride. It was the custom for the bridegroom himself to accompany them all to the marriage.

At this time they were waiting for him to come and get them. Five of the girls were wise and five were foolish. Night came, and the bridegroom did not come. They all lighted their lamps and slept. They thought they were ready to go with him. But the wise girls had extra oil for their lamps, and the foolish ones had none.

In the middle of the night they were all wakened because someone was shouting, "The bridegroom is coming! Go out and meet him!" (Use another voice for this, off-mike, if possible.) They got up and took their lamps. But the foolish girls had no oil, and their lamps had gone out! They ran to get oil, but while they were gone the bridegroom came. Those who were ready went with him to the marriage. When they arrived at the marriage the door was opened and they went inside. Everyone was very happy! (Here put 5 or l0 seconds of wedding music if possible.) Then the door was shut! (Door slam.) (If possible superimpose the last remark on top of the music.)

When the foolish girls arrived, there was no way to enter. They knocked and shouted, "Lord, Lord, open to us!" (If possible have several girls call this off-mike). But he answered them, "Truly, I do not know you." This is the story Jesus told.

My friend, sometime Jesus will return to this earth. Are you ready to meet Him? He will take with Him to heaven those who are ready. But those who are not prepared He will send to the place of fire. God says, "Get ready, for when you are not expecting Jesus He will come." Jesus told us, "Among those who call "Lord, Lord", not everyone will go to God's place. Only those who obey God's words will go there." (If possible it is good to have each of the following quotations said by a different voice). Some will say, "I didn't do many bad things." Some will say, "My parents were Christians." Some will say, "I was a very important man and many people knew me." Some will say, I said many prayers and fasted and gave money." Some will say, "I went to church." Some will say, "I made many sacrifices and honored the dead." But to all Jesus will say, "Truly, I do not know you." If Jesus has not taken the sin from your heart, there is no way to go to God's home. You will have to go to the place of fire, and there will be terrible pain and grinding of teeth. (Put in sound of group wailing in distress.)

Put your trust in Jesus. He will take away your sins and put His Spirit into your heart. (He will live there and be as a light that will not go out.) He will guide you in God's road. Then you will be ready to go with Jesus when He comes. Perhaps you are doing good things, but if your heart is not clean and if you are not truly obeying God's words, you are not ready. You cannot fool God, He sees your heart. There are many who are still waiting in their sins. To all of them, Jesus will say when He comes, "Truly, I do not know you." Will you be one of the wise ones who is prepared to meet Him?