Children in Heaven
- Thread starter Rose
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bobinfaith
Well-known member
Good morning, Rose;
You ask another good question. I'm not an expert nor qualified to answer this in place of God but can share my personal testimony of the loss of our baby while still in my wife's womb.
Our baby died when my wife was 6 months pregnant in 1985. He was only 3 months from being born and would have been 40 years old in January this year.
I can only rely on my love, trust and hope in God regarding our son. I have all the faith God knows that babies and even little children are not responsible when they can't distinguish between obedience and disobedience, or good from evil.
I believe I will be reunited with our son one day in heaven and I'm at peace with this.
God bless you, Rose, and your entire family.
Bob
You ask another good question. I'm not an expert nor qualified to answer this in place of God but can share my personal testimony of the loss of our baby while still in my wife's womb.
Our baby died when my wife was 6 months pregnant in 1985. He was only 3 months from being born and would have been 40 years old in January this year.
I can only rely on my love, trust and hope in God regarding our son. I have all the faith God knows that babies and even little children are not responsible when they can't distinguish between obedience and disobedience, or good from evil.
I believe I will be reunited with our son one day in heaven and I'm at peace with this.
God bless you, Rose, and your entire family.
Bob
David
Know the Bible
The Bible never provides a theological treatise regarding babies who die. But it does reveal the heart of God, and that is where you will cast your anchor of confidence.
Yes, every man came into the world through Adam. “By one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men.” ~Romans 5:12. That is why babies die. Death entered the world because we’re all in a fallen race of people. However, being born into Adam’s fallen offspring does not equal personally and willfully rejecting revealed truth.
God judges no one by a standard they did not have. “Where no law is, there is no transgression.” ~Romans 4: 15 Judgement in the Bible is connected to knowledge of the law and responding. One cannot sin against what they never knew to be true.
Now look at David’s response when his baby son died. Upon hearing of his death David replied, “I shall go to him, but he shall not return to me.” ~2 Samuel 12: 23 David was confident he would see this baby again. He did not mourn as one who would never be with his son.
Jesus Himself enters the scene and says this, “Suffer the little children to come unto me, and forbid them not: for of such is the kingdom of God” ~Mark 10:14 Jesus did not denounce babies as enemies of God to be cast into hell. He reached out to them as those who were like little believers.
Here is the bigger picture. NO ONE is “innocent” enough to receive salvation. If a baby receives salvation it is NOT because they deserve it. It is because Jesus’ atoning sacrifice was enough and God chose to credit them with it as an act of His perfect justice and mercy. ALWAYS by grace.
“So shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” ~Genesis 18: 25 God is not mistaken about who enters heaven. He is not condemning people unjustly. He is handling souls with care.
Scripture may not define every detail, but it gives you what is much better. It reveals the character of God. And when you know His character, you can trust His actions completely.
Just a few hours after I posted the question, I saw on face book a post by Evang Bright Ikedichi -
Here's what he said verbatim:
"WILL GOD SEND A CHILD TO HELL?? THIS TRUTH WILL SHOCK YOU.
What happens to a child who dies
This is one of the most painful and most debated questions in Christianity. People argue about it. Some speak from fear. Some speak from tradition. Some speak from emotion. But what does Scripture actually reveal
Let us go deep. Not shallow answers. Not emotional reactions. But the heart of God.
First we must understand something clearly. Hell was never created for children. According to Matthew 25 verse 41, hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. It was not designed for innocent little ones. It was designed for rebellion against God.
Now here is where many people get confused. They say all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God according to Romans 3 verse 23. That is true. Humanity is born into a fallen world because of Adam. But there is a difference between having a sinful nature and being morally accountable for sin.
A baby does not consciously reject God. A toddler does not understand repentance. A small child does not fully grasp good and evil the way an adult does. Accountability requires understanding.
In Deuteronomy 1 verse 39, God spoke about the children of Israel and said their little ones who did not yet know good from evil would enter the Promised Land. Notice that phrase. Did not yet know good from evil. That reveals something powerful. There is a stage before moral awareness.
In Isaiah 7 verse 16, Scripture speaks of a child before he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good. Again we see a biblical pattern. There is a point in development where a child does not yet have full moral discernment.
Now let us look at the heart of Jesus. In Mark 10 verse 14, Jesus said let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Jesus did not look at children as candidates for hell. He pointed to them as examples of the kingdom.
When King David lost his infant son in 2 Samuel 12 verse 23, he said I shall go to him but he shall not return to me. David found comfort in the belief that he would see his child again. That statement carries weight.
Now let us address the big question people always ask. At what age does a child become accountable
The Bible does not give a specific number. There is no verse that says at thirteen or at twelve or at seven. The concept many theologians call the age of accountability is not a fixed birthday. It is the moment a person truly understands sin, understands right and wrong, and consciously chooses rebellion or obedience.
For some children that awareness may come earlier. For others later. God judges according to light received. God judges according to understanding. Genesis 18 verse 25 says shall not the Judge of all the earth do right. God is not unjust. He is perfectly righteous.
Here is the deeper truth people avoid. Salvation has always been by grace. Not by mental maturity. Not by intellectual strength. Ephesians 2 verse 8 says by grace you have been saved through faith. A child who has not reached moral accountability is covered by the mercy of God. Not because they earned it. But because God is just and compassionate.
Another important truth is this. God’s character must interpret difficult doctrines. First John 4 verse 8 says God is love. Psalm 145 verse 9 says the Lord is good to all and His mercy is over all His works. Any teaching that paints God as eager to condemn infants contradicts the revealed heart of Scripture.
Now we must be balanced. This does not mean children do not need salvation when they grow to understanding. As they mature and become aware of sin, they too must respond to the gospel. That is why teaching children about Christ is important. That is why guiding them in truth matters.
But to say that a baby who dies is burning in hell is not supported by the full counsel of Scripture. It ignores the justice, mercy, and compassion of God.
The deepest truth is this. God is more loving than we are. More just than we are. More merciful than we are. If even human parents would not torture their child, how much more the heavenly Father.
So do children go to hell if they die before moral accountability
Scripture strongly points to the mercy of God covering them.
Is there a specific age number
No. Accountability is based on understanding, not a birthday.
Will God do what is right
Always.
Teaching Summary
Children who have not reached moral awareness are not morally accountable in the same way adults are
Hell was prepared for rebellion, not innocence
The Bible shows stages before knowing good and evil
There is no fixed age of accountability given in Scripture
God judges according to understanding and light received
God’s character is perfectly just and merciful. "
Here's what he said verbatim:
"WILL GOD SEND A CHILD TO HELL?? THIS TRUTH WILL SHOCK YOU.
What happens to a child who dies
This is one of the most painful and most debated questions in Christianity. People argue about it. Some speak from fear. Some speak from tradition. Some speak from emotion. But what does Scripture actually reveal
Let us go deep. Not shallow answers. Not emotional reactions. But the heart of God.
First we must understand something clearly. Hell was never created for children. According to Matthew 25 verse 41, hell was prepared for the devil and his angels. It was not designed for innocent little ones. It was designed for rebellion against God.
Now here is where many people get confused. They say all have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God according to Romans 3 verse 23. That is true. Humanity is born into a fallen world because of Adam. But there is a difference between having a sinful nature and being morally accountable for sin.
A baby does not consciously reject God. A toddler does not understand repentance. A small child does not fully grasp good and evil the way an adult does. Accountability requires understanding.
In Deuteronomy 1 verse 39, God spoke about the children of Israel and said their little ones who did not yet know good from evil would enter the Promised Land. Notice that phrase. Did not yet know good from evil. That reveals something powerful. There is a stage before moral awareness.
In Isaiah 7 verse 16, Scripture speaks of a child before he knows to refuse the evil and choose the good. Again we see a biblical pattern. There is a point in development where a child does not yet have full moral discernment.
Now let us look at the heart of Jesus. In Mark 10 verse 14, Jesus said let the little children come to me and do not hinder them for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Jesus did not look at children as candidates for hell. He pointed to them as examples of the kingdom.
When King David lost his infant son in 2 Samuel 12 verse 23, he said I shall go to him but he shall not return to me. David found comfort in the belief that he would see his child again. That statement carries weight.
Now let us address the big question people always ask. At what age does a child become accountable
The Bible does not give a specific number. There is no verse that says at thirteen or at twelve or at seven. The concept many theologians call the age of accountability is not a fixed birthday. It is the moment a person truly understands sin, understands right and wrong, and consciously chooses rebellion or obedience.
For some children that awareness may come earlier. For others later. God judges according to light received. God judges according to understanding. Genesis 18 verse 25 says shall not the Judge of all the earth do right. God is not unjust. He is perfectly righteous.
Here is the deeper truth people avoid. Salvation has always been by grace. Not by mental maturity. Not by intellectual strength. Ephesians 2 verse 8 says by grace you have been saved through faith. A child who has not reached moral accountability is covered by the mercy of God. Not because they earned it. But because God is just and compassionate.
Another important truth is this. God’s character must interpret difficult doctrines. First John 4 verse 8 says God is love. Psalm 145 verse 9 says the Lord is good to all and His mercy is over all His works. Any teaching that paints God as eager to condemn infants contradicts the revealed heart of Scripture.
Now we must be balanced. This does not mean children do not need salvation when they grow to understanding. As they mature and become aware of sin, they too must respond to the gospel. That is why teaching children about Christ is important. That is why guiding them in truth matters.
But to say that a baby who dies is burning in hell is not supported by the full counsel of Scripture. It ignores the justice, mercy, and compassion of God.
The deepest truth is this. God is more loving than we are. More just than we are. More merciful than we are. If even human parents would not torture their child, how much more the heavenly Father.
So do children go to hell if they die before moral accountability
Scripture strongly points to the mercy of God covering them.
Is there a specific age number
No. Accountability is based on understanding, not a birthday.
Will God do what is right
Always.
Teaching Summary
Children who have not reached moral awareness are not morally accountable in the same way adults are
Hell was prepared for rebellion, not innocence
The Bible shows stages before knowing good and evil
There is no fixed age of accountability given in Scripture
God judges according to understanding and light received
God’s character is perfectly just and merciful. "
David
Know the Bible
I appreciate what you’re trying to do here. You’re defending the heart of God. That matters. Nobody who knows the Lord wants to picture Him as harsh or unjust toward children.
But here’s where we have to be careful. We don’t protect God’s character by going beyond His Word. We protect it by staying inside it.
Yes, Scripture says hell “was prepared for the devil and his angels” ~Matthew 25:41. Yes, Jesus welcomed children and said, “of such is the kingdom of God” ~Mark 10:14. Yes, Deuteronomy 1:39 speaks of little ones who “had no knowledge between good and evil.” Those are real texts, and they tell us something important about development and discernment.
But at the same time, the Bible is clear that all humanity is fallen in Adam. “By one man sin entered into the world… and so death passed upon all men” ~Romans 5:12. David said, “I was shapen in iniquity” ~Psalm 51:5. So we cannot speak of children as morally neutral or untouched by the fall. That’s not what the text says.
Now here’s the key. The Bible never gives a number. It never says age seven, twelve, or thirteen. It never uses the phrase “age of accountability.” That’s a theological label we use to summarize certain biblical principles. It is not a verse.
What we do know is this: God judges according to truth and light. Jesus said the servant who knew his master’s will is judged more strictly than the one who did not know ~Luke 12:47-48. That tells us accountability is connected to knowledge.
And we also know this: “Shall not the Judge of all the earth do right?” ~Genesis 18:25. That’s the anchor. God is not less compassionate than we are. He is not reckless with judgment. He is perfectly just and perfectly merciful.
So here’s how I would frame it. Scripture gives strong reason for hope regarding those without moral awareness. Scripture reveals God’s heart toward children. But Scripture stops short of giving a formal, defined doctrine that automatically guarantees heaven for every child who dies.
Where God has spoken clearly, we stand firm. Where He has not given full detail, we bow in trust.
That way we uphold both truths at the same time: the seriousness of sin and the goodness of God.
Yesua888
Well-known member
Hi Bob and Hazel,
I am sorry to hear that you lost a son; and I pray that we will get more clarity on this.
I know that this was posted a while back ... I need to say something, and perhaps it requires a share to everyone as a new topic of discussion?
Last night (AU: Sat 28 Feb 2026) I lay on my bed wondering "why are so many little children tortured and sacrificed" ... "why" (with reference to the latest revelations from the Epstein Files" and what has been going on since forever it seems!
Blessings to you and your family
Yesua888
Well-known member
Hi Rose,
Thank you for your amazing response : )
This is a "World View Response" to a questions I posed on the internet (AI responded ... hmmmmm, sorry to those who do not trust AI! Another topic for debate maybe?)
"Spiritual Interpretations of Innate Protection:
While survival instincts in children—such as wariness of strangers or resisting inappropriate touch—are grounded in evolutionary biology and psychology, some interpret these behaviors through a spiritual lens. Various religious and philosophical traditions suggest that a protective awareness may reflect a deeper, innate connection to a divine presence or moral order.
God-Given Protection in Religious Thought:
In Christian teachings, for example, children are often seen as especially close to God, and their instinctive resistance to harm may be viewed as part of divine safeguarding. Scriptures describe God as a protector of children (e.g., Psalm 121, Matthew 18:10), with some believing that angels guard them. The idea that “the Lord protects His children” is a common theme, suggesting that innate caution could be a channel for divine care.
Innate Spirituality and the "God Instinct":
Some theorists propose that humans are born with a spiritual predisposition—a concept supported by ideas like the "God gene" hypothesis, which suggests a genetic inclination toward spirituality. In this view, a child’s natural boundaries and moral intuitions may reflect not just survival mechanisms but also an intrinsic sense of sacredness and self-worth, often interpreted as the "image of God" within.
Balance Between Biology and Belief:
While science explains these instincts as adaptive behaviors for safety, many find meaning in seeing them as both biological and spiritual—evolutionary tools that align with a divine design. This perspective does not replace the psychological understanding but complements it, offering a sense of sacred purpose in natural behaviors.
Ultimately, whether seen as instinct, divine protection, or both, these responses are widely regarded as essential to a child’s well-being. "
Another questions posed:
The exact phrase “the Lord protects His children” does not appear verbatim in the Bible, but the concept is strongly supported by multiple scriptures that emphasize God’s protective care over children.
Key verses include:
I will share a vision that I had about 30 years ago (involving my guardian angel) ...
I was about 3 years of age, where I saw myself at night, under the outside light, playing in the sand (just alongside my parent's bedroom, on the corner of the house). I asked the angel, who he was, and he said "I was the light". I still remember that house, that outside light, the sandy patch and the exact worn and faded toys, that was revealed to me in the vision. I played often like this, and I believe it was to get away from what was happening inside the house. The clarity of the vision is still with me today!
I am going to "hijack" some scripture from another post of David's, about "God Chooses Us" and not the other way around:
The debate about predestination among those who claim Scripture follows fuels passionate discussions yet the essential question remains what the Bible explicitly declares. Ephesians 1: The verses Ephesians 1:4–5 reveal God selected us before the world began and predestined us to become adopted children through Jesus Christ, which means His choice was independent of our actions and based solely on His purpose and grace. Romans 8: Romans 8:29–30 explicitly lists those whom God foreknew as people He also predestinated and called and justified and glorified. This demonstrates God’s sovereign control over salvation rather than random selection or injustice. His actions demonstrate His sovereign plan as He operates according to His own intentions. This is so PROFOUND and simply BEAUTIFUL! It deserves more discussion ...
How interesting is this knowledge, and can it be applied to little children ...
While the precise wording “the Lord protects His children” is not a direct Bible verse, it reflects a well-supported biblical theme: God is a protector of the vulnerable, especially children.
7 times Jesus advocates for protecting children in the Bible
However, questions arise: "why are children kidnapped, tortured, and sacrificed"?
Think about what is being revealed from the Epstein Files ... not to be dismissed or excused, the bible mentions child sacrifice in the Old Testament many times.
Taking a cue from the above verses that I "hijacked", could it be that as "God chose us", He could also predetermine what our purpose is on this Planet at this Time, including martyrdom and sacrifice? I know David, that what is not mentioned or elaborated on in Scripture must be taken in faith in Trust in Him, and I do!
- Ephesians 1:4–5 "For he chose us in him before the creation of the world to be holy and blameless in his sight. In love he predestined us to be adopted as his sons through Jesus Christ, in accordance with his pleasure and will." This passage affirms that God’s choice is eternal, intentional, and rooted in love
- Ephesians 1:11 further reinforces the concept of divine purpose: "In him we were also chosen, having been predestined according to the plan of him who works out everything in conformity with the purpose of his will." This indicates that God not only chooses individuals but also ordains their purpose within His overarching plan.
- Isaiah 46:9-10: “I am God, and there is no other; I am God, and there is none like me, declaring the end from the beginning and from ancient times things that are not yet done.”
Whether taken before birth, young or old ... it is God's Plan ... we carry out his works, we do His will.
No matter how confronting, uncovering and understanding Scripture, can be the only thing to give us clarity and Truth, to set us free from speculation, fear and worry.
Not knowing, not Trusting, is fear ...
Last edited:
bobinfaith
Well-known member
Hello David;
Rose's excellent question pertains to Children in Heaven
I appreciate your outline regarding the verb of this topic. Your posts are well said and an encouraging reassurement from the passages provided.
God bless you, David.
Bob
David
Know the Bible
Scripture never divorces eternal judgment from sin like you are. Scripture clearly states, “the wages of sin is death” (Romans 6:23). Jesus said, “if ye believe not that I am he, ye shall die in your sins” (John 8:24). No one is condemned outside of their sin. Men are still condemned in their sin when they reject Christ.
Christ’s death paid for the sins of every man (1 John 2: 2), but forgiveness is only applied to those who have faith. That is why Jesus says in John 3: 18 the unbeliever is “condemned already.” If sins had no eternal consequence then all the judgment verses would be thrown out, yet Revelation 20:12 states people will be judged according to their works.
The Cross does not declare that sin has no eternal consequence. The Cross displays how evil sin really is because Christ was punished in our place. Those who reject Him stay under that punishment.
Simple identification rule when you hear statements like:
“No one goes to hell because of sin.”
“All sins were already forgiven at the Cross.”
“Sin has no eternal consequences.”
“Judgment is only about rejecting salvation.”
Then you are almost always hearing some form of Free Grace / Hyper-Grace theology.
The following is from Leading The Way’s MY Faith Assistant :
Hyper‑grace (or “Free Grace”) is a false teaching that perverts God’s grace by claiming Christians may willfully continue in sin without repentance. The Bible answers this plainly:
Romans 6:1–2 (ESV): "What shall we say then? Are we to continue in sin that grace may abound? By no means! How can we who died to sin still live in it?"
Jude 1:4 (ESV): "For certain people have crept in unnoticed... ungodly persons, who pervert the grace of our God into sensuality and deny our only Master and Lord, Jesus Christ."
The Gospel frees us from the dominion of sin and calls us to repentance and holiness by the power of the Holy Spirit.
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