When a small child or infant is suddenly and tragically taken in death, natural questions arise. “What happens to an infant who dies? Is the child saved? Will the parents see the child in heaven?”
Yes! When a child dies before he reaches the age of accountability, that child is safe. He is with Jesus in heaven. And if you are a Christian, one day you will be with the child and with the Lord (2 Samuel 12:21-23).
Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me; for of such is the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 19:14). Johann Albrecht Bengel, the great theologian, wrote, “He had no children that he might adopt all children.” The words of Jesus are meant to teach that we must have the characteristics of little children in order to enter into the kingdom of God. But the emphasis is very clear that they are a part of God’s kingdom. They have eternal life if they die before they reach the age of accountability.
We know that these children are safe because of the God we worship. He is a God of love, grace, and mercy. We know what happens to children who are taken before they have an opportunity to trust Christ as Savior. They are in heaven with our dear Lord, and we can anticipate being with them someday.