~ Children In Heaven ~ 2 Cor 1:3-4

[rescuedbyChrist]

There have been so many threads on this one topic. Bottom line...this is not addressed in God's Word. We simply do NOT know if all children will be raptured. It's all just speculation.

I tend to agree with Hal on this, but it's just speculation on my part too. LaHaye and Jenkins were just speculating too when they had children of unbelievers raptured in their Left Behind movie. It's just not Biblical to suggest, as a matter-of-fact, that all children will be raptured. We're relying on our own understanding here, which we're not supposed to do.

I also don't get how one can draw the conclusion that because a child is not raptured, he is going to Hell. What does one have to do with the other? I believe there's ample evidence in Scripture that children under the age of accountability go to heaven when they die. If a child dies in the Tribulation, he will go to heaven. There will be children born during the Tribulation; these children will have to endure the judgments. Why do we think that the child of unbelievers will be raptured, but the child born the day after or the week after the rapture to unbelievers is just stuck here on earth? I cannot reconcile in my mind all children being raptured. It doesn't make any sense to me. But...I am only speculating like everyone else is....

I believe as you. I also think it will be part of the delusion. Some "Christians" will be left behind. Not all children will disappear. It will be harder to explain. Just my thoughts.

[kgreen20]

For the same reason, OneDayNearer, that children who have already died will escape the Tribulation. Is it fair that they should get the escape it when children conceived after the Rapture won't get to? For that matter, is it fair that we, the Church, are going to get to escape 7 years of God's wrath when those who have failed to accept His mercy won't be allowed to? In truth, though, we will get to escape enduring His wrath, and thankfully, so will every child who is below the age of being able to decide. The only ones who will have to endure it are those above that age who are left behnid, and those who are conceived and born afterward.

[OneDayNearer]

For the same reason, OneDayNearer, that children who have already died will escape the Tribulation. Is it fair that they should get the escape it when children conceived after the Rapture won't get to? For that matter, is it fair that we, the Church, are going to get to escape 7 years of God's wrath when those who have failed to accept His mercy won't be allowed to? In truth, though, we will get to escape enduring His wrath, and thankfully, so will every child who is below the age of being able to decide. The only ones who will have to endure it are those above that age who are left behnid, and those who are conceived and born afterward.

What are you responding to? I didn't ask a question.

[jayna]

This will not be forever.There is coming a day at the last trump,the Lord is going to descend out of the clouds and he is going to have our children with him!We will be changed and we will meet the Lord in the air!We will never suffer over their deaths,ever again.

Revelation 21:4 He will wipe every TEAR from their eyes.There will be no more DEATH or MOURNING or CRYING or PAIN,for the old order of things has passed away.
Revelation 21:5 He who was seated on the throne said," I am making everything new!" Then he said," Write this down,for these words are Trustworthy and True."

Thank you Lucinda, I needed that!!

[kgreen20]

I'm going to copy and paste below something I said on another thread a few years ago, as it pertains to the subject of this thread. (With a correction, as I just noticed a typo I made on that other thread.)

I firmly believe that children who die before they're old enough to understand the concept of sin and the need for salvation go to Heaven, regardless of whether their parents are in a relationship with Jesus or not. Needless to say, they will be resurrected when God Raptures all living Christians and resurrects all dead Christians. No exceptions, even if their parents died lost.

Third, I believe that the requirements for taking part in the Rapture are the same as those for getting saved. If you're saved, born again, redeemed--take your pick!--you will be caught up. You might be caught in up a backslidden state, but you will be caught up.

Once more, here is where the age of accountability comes into play. Since I believe the requirements for getting saved (and then being resurrected, if you die) and the requirements for getting Raptured are one and the same, and since I believe that children who die before the age of accountability go to Heaven and will be resurrected when the time comes (even if their parents are lost), then I also believe that all living children below that age will be Raptured when the trumpet blows, whether their parents are saved or not. To say otherwise is to say that a child can ride to Heaven on his parents' coattails, and as I said above, that, the Bible says, simply cannot be done. Either he accepts Jesus and goes to Heaven, or he's too young to accept Jesus and therefore is counted innocent in God's eyes (and thus gets Raptured if alive, or resurrected if dead). Remember, the moment when the trumpet blows is a package deal, the end of a dispensation. It is the moment when all who died in Christ and all who lived in Christ, from Pentecost on, will be given new resurrection bodies. (Those who lived in the Old Testament era and the early New Testament era before the Church became reality, and the Tribulation believers who die, must wait till Jesus comes back before they can get theirs.) That certainly includes all children under the age of accountability who have lived in the Age of Grace from its beginning until now. God does not have 2 sets of requirements for participating in the resurrection of dead Christians and for participating in the Rapture of living ones--they are one and the same. For children too young to understand as well as for older believers, regardless of whether their parents know or knew Jesus or not.

Now--for those of you who believe that innocent young children whose parents are unsaved can expect to bear the blast and fury of God's wrath in the Tribulation instead of being counted innocent in God's eyes, go ahead! (And I know that some of you do believe that. Apparently, so does Hal, sad to say. )

[Lucinda]

Thank you Lucinda, I needed that!!

me too Jayna,all of us need it.Hard, not anything I'd ever want another person to bear but we do carry this and I thank the Lord for all of you

[Caveman]

Here's a verse I haven't seen posted regarding the Rapture and children,
whether it helps in the discussion or not, idunno

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children,
and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,
Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:
wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Joel 2:15-17

Personally I hope ALL children will be raptured, as for pets... I choose to believe that I will once again enjoy the company of all 20 or so of my best buds in Heaven.

[kgreen20]

I believe they will be, Caveman.

[Lucinda]

I just don't understand
How can this even be an issue?
An innocent child will be Raptured.Do people really believe that Jesus would leave a child behind?According to the Bible,that is not the nature of Jesus.In fact he got on to the disciples and told them that the kingdom of Heaven was made up for little children.

[kgreen20]

He sure did. I quoted that in an earlier reply on this thread.

[cocopea9052]

Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children,
and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,
Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:
wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Joel 2:15-17

Caveman,

Wow, I never notice this quote before--would all agree this makes it crystal clear?

[acceptedintheBeloved]

Originally Posted by Caveman
Blow the trumpet in Zion, sanctify a fast, call a solemn assembly:
Gather the people, sanctify the congregation, assemble the elders, gather the children,
and those that suck the breasts: let the bridegroom go forth of his chamber, and the bride out of her closet.
Let the priests, the ministers of the LORD, weep between the porch and the altar, and let them say,
Spare thy people, O LORD, and give not thine heritage to reproach, that the heathen should rule over them:
wherefore should they say among the people, Where is their God?
Joel 2:15-17

Caveman,

Wow, I never notice this quote before--would all agree this makes it crystal clear?

Well, not exactly, I don't think... it is my understanding that this passage is about "the Day of the Lord" (which is the tribulation period)... and what I mean is, I don't believe the Church is described in this passage. (See all of Joel 2 and Joel 3, also, as well as Joel 1:14-15)

I believe Joel 2:15-17 could be referring to the end of the tribulation period (but I tend to think it is simply describing the whole trib period, if that makes any sense, sort of like an overview maybe ), but this passage is describing Israel, and not our rapture.
JMHO

And yes, I do believe there will be children conceived and born after the rapture of the Church, as I've stated previously. That's the way I see it.

[cocopea9052]

Well, not exactly, I don't think... it is my understanding that this passage is about "the Day of the Lord" (which is the tribulation period)... and what I mean is, I don't believe the Church is described in this passage. (See all of Joel 2 and Joel 3, also.)

I believe Joel 2:15-16 may be referring to the end of the tribulation period, but this passage is describing Israel, and not our rapture. JMHO

And yes, I do believe there will be children conceived and born after the rapture of the Church, as I've stated previously. That's the way I see it.

Accepted

Bummer!...I hadn't thought of that You know it's just so frustrating to me to see threads like this. I mean over some 2000 post in the one about Children in Heaven, and at least once a week someone will post a question about their pets. My son is 20 and saved and I have never had a pet, but my heart really goes out to those who just don't know.

I sure wish the bible did make it crystal clear. Pets are so very important to people and children of course more so. Yet, even the age of accountability is not clearly defined in the bible. I was always taught that if something is not in the bible then is is not important for us to know now.....but how can one argue the importance of these to humans as we exist? Yes, I understand that when we get to Heaven, we will think in ways unimaginable now....but that is of little comfort to those who have these unanswered questions. I don't understand why God didn't just tell us?

There is an entire book in the bible devoted to genealogy....family...and this can't be made clear ....I'm sorry, that just saddens me.

And even with pets-- I mean are pets in the bible in the way we have them today? Seems most animals were used for work, labor, transportation, slaughter, sacrifice and food. Even the word "dog" is used in a derogatory fashion. Is there any example in the bible of someone having a pet --a animal they loved and cared for and worried about should they have died?

Is there definitive scripture that answers both questions?

[acceptedintheBeloved]

How about the Shepherd with His sheep. Not exactly a pet, I know...

[cocopea9052]

How about the Shepherd with His sheep. Not exactly a pet, I know...

...well now that really is a good answer and did make me smile...

[acceptedintheBeloved]

The thought of it makes me smile, too.

[Faith&Hope]

Thank you for your prayers. The deposition went well. PTL!!
Now it's wait and see what the next step will be. Continued Prayers.
Trusting God.

[Lucinda]

Thank you for your prayers. The deposition went well. PTL!!
Now it's wait and see what the next step will be. Continued Prayers.
Trusting God.

Good! Still praying for you friend

[jayna]

Thank you for your prayers. The deposition went well. PTL!!
Now it's wait and see what the next step will be. Continued Prayers.
Trusting God.

I'm so thankful!!

[rescuedbyChrist]

Accepted

Bummer!...I hadn't thought of that You know it's just so frustrating to me to see threads like this. I mean over some 2000 post in the one about Children in Heaven, and at least once a week someone will post a question about their pets. My son is 20 and saved and I have never had a pet, but my heart really goes out to those who just don't know.

I sure wish the bible did make it crystal clear. Pets are so very important to people and children of course more so. Yet, even the age of accountability is not clearly defined in the bible. I was always taught that if something is not in the bible then is is not important for us to know now.....but how can one argue the importance of these to humans as we exist? Yes, I understand that when we get to Heaven, we will think in ways unimaginable now....but that is of little comfort to those who have these unanswered questions. I don't understand why God didn't just tell us?

There is an entire book in the bible devoted to genealogy....family...and this can't be made clear ....I'm sorry, that just saddens me.

And even with pets-- I mean are pets in the bible in the way we have them today? Seems most animals were used for work, labor, transportation, slaughter, sacrifice and food. Even the word "dog" is used in a derogatory fashion. Is there any example in the bible of someone having a pet --a animal they loved and cared for and worried about should they have died?

Is there definitive scripture that answers both questions?

I have often thought as you. Adam didn't have "a" pet. The animals roamed freely. They weren't on leashes or in cages. I just don't think it will be as it is now. I think it will be more like it was originally intended- the Garden of Eden. That is what is described in the Bible. It looks like it will come full circle.
I don't get the fascination with dressing animals. They weren't made to be dressed. I think of all the money spent on pets buying unnecessary items that could be used to feed the homeless and such. I know people really enjoy taking care of their animals, but I think we need to focus more on taking care of people. I am guilty of this myself.
I really think we all need to think about how we are not being good stewards of our money. And, I am guilty of that myself.