Dead Children Are in the Kingdom of God

It is a tragedy that many parents face: Their beloved young child dies. I am here to give you hope and faith: your child is undeniably in the Kingdom of God.

Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven.^{Matthew 19:14 cf. Mark 10:14, Luke 18:16} The kingdom of God is open for the little children. They do not need to understand Jesus, or the world, or anything. If they are little children, you will see them at the resurrection at the last day.

Children are so important to God's will, that Jesus once took a child into his arms and said, Whosoever shall receive one of such children in my name, receiveth me: and whosoever shall receive me, receiveth not me, but him that sent me.^{Mark 9:37 See also Mark 10:15, Luke 18:16}

The kingdom of God is for little children, even if they do not believe in Jesus Christ.

But My Child Had Original Sin, How Can He Be Resurrected? ^{Back to Top ↑}

Some churchmen will say that all children are born with original sin. This foreign theological construction states that because Adam sinned, all human beings are fully sinful. A few churchmen use this concept to say that they must baptize all children. Jesus never said or indicated anything about original sin existing, so you should not be worried about this foreign theological construct. It is a ploy that results in scaring people to join congregations while they have young children.

Rest easy, your child is at peace.

Did My Sin Cause My Child's Death? ^{Back to Top ↑}

Unless you literally murdered your child, it is not your fault that your child died. God does not interfere with the workings of nature. As Jesus said, That ye may be the children of your Father which is in heaven: for he maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust.^{Matthew 5:45} Whether you are good or evil, just or sinful, both nice things and awful things will happen to you and your family.

If your child's death was preventable, then it was due to some human reason. And if your child's death was due to illness, it was due to some physiological reason. In neither of these, did God play a role.

Your child did not die because of your sin.

Did My Child's Sin Cause Their Death? ^{Back to Top ↑}

Likewise, your child did not die because of their own sin. Take this passage from the gospels: There were present at that season some that told him of the Galileans, whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. And Jesus answering said unto them, Suppose ye that these Galileans were sinners above all the Galileans, because they suffered such things? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish. Or those eighteen, upon whom the tower in Siloam fell, and slew them, think ye that they were sinners above all men that dwelt in Jerusalem? I tell you, Nay: but, except ye repent, ye shall all likewise perish.^{Luke 13:1-5}

Death happens to both the wicked and the good, and since Jesus came, sin has no part in deciding when people die.

How Can I Go On Without My Child? ^{Back to Top ↑}

This world is a difficult place, and God isn't here.^{(He's in Heaven. Joshua 2:11, Job 22:12, Psalm 53:2, Ecclesiastes 5:2, Matthew 5:16, 5:45, 5:48, 6:1, 6:9, 7:11, 7:21, 10:32, 10:33, 12:50, 16:17, 18:14, 18:19, 23:9, Mark 11:25-26, Luke 11:2.)} Things like the death of a child should remind you that this world is awful. You should hate it here, just as Jesus said, He that loveth his life shall lose it; and he that hateth his life in this world shall keep it unto life eternal.^{John 12:25 cf. Matthew 10:39, 16:25, Mark 8:35, Luke 9:24, 17:33. See also Matthew 10:37-38, Mark 8:34, Luke 14:26-27}

It was only when the prodigal son hated his life that he was able to listen to the will of his father, and for many of us, it is the same. Take this opportunity to learn about the will of God, and why exactly bad things happen to good people like you.

But do not worry about your dead child. It is the will of God for them to be resurrected at the last day.

Further Resources ^{Back to Top ↑}

If you're asking yourself questions such as, "Where was God?" and "Why did God allow this evil thing?", it may be helpful to learn more about how God sees evil and tragedies for your own peace. Please see:

• God's View of Evil