Are there babies in heaven?

Are there babies in heaven?

(Submitted by: J. X.)

A. This is one of the more difficult questions to answer, not because the Bible does not present a clear picture of what happens when any of us dies, but because of the emotion and trauma associated with the death of babies and small children. Many people who profess to teach the Bible will answer this question in the affirmative and it is, indeed, the easy way out of answering this question and provides comfort to the parents and family of the child who died. I would assume that your asking this question indicates your desire to hear the Biblical answer to this question.

While having great compassion toward one who would ask this question, the Biblical answer is "no".

Babies, by definition, are without sin. Jesus taught us that little children, free from sin and guile, are the model for those who would enter the kingdom of God.

"People were also bringing babies to Jesus to have him touch them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, 'Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. I tell you the truth, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.'" (Luke 18:15-17, NIV) (see also Matthew 19:13-15 and Mark 10:13-16)

However, the Bible does not teach that anyone who dies will be "going to heaven". The Bible teaches that Heaven is going to come to earth sometime in the future.

"And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea. And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.

"And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God [is] with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, [and be] their God. And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away." (Revelation 21:1-4).

The Bible often refers to those who are dead as "sleeping" (1 Corinthians 11:30; 15:6, 19-20, et al), awaiting the resurrection that will take place at the time of Jesus’ return to this earth.

It is my personal belief that children who die before the age of accountability will be resurrected in the second resurrection (Revelation 20:4-6) along with their parents where they will have the opportunity to grow up in the presence of our Lord and Savior. Their future will be exceedingly bright.