New Testament Stories

Ten Women With Their Lamps

Then the kingdom of heaven will be comparable to ten virgins, who took theirs lamps and went to meet the bridegroom. Matthew 25:11

                              This is a story Jesus told about the kingdom of heaven.

     There were ten young women who were bridesmaids. It was there job to keep their oil lamps bright, so they could light the way for the bridegroom when He came. Then they would all go to the wedding feast together.

     Five of these young women were very wise. They took extra oil for their lamps. But five of them were foolish. They did not take oil to the place where they had waited.

     Now the bridegroom was very late, and the women all fell asleep. Suddenly, they heard someone cry out. "The bridegroom is coming!"

     The wise bridesmaids filled their lamps with oil and the lamps glowed brightly.

     But the foolish women had no light, because they were out of oil.

     "Give us some of your oil!" they said to the others.
     "But then there won't be enough for all of us!" said the wise bridesmaids. "Run to the store and buy some."

     While the foolish bridesmaids were trying to buy oil, the bridegroom arrived with a great crowd of friends. The five wise young women held up their lamps, and walked in front of the bridegroom to light his path to the house.

     Then they all went in and locked the door. Soon the foolish women got back. They pounded on the door and cried, "Let us in!"

     But the bridegroom shouted through the door, " I don't open my door to strangers in the middle of the night."

     When Jesus told this story, He said, "This is the way some people are with God. Be ready when God calls!"