The Eternal Security of Those Who Die Young

By Mark W. Christy

As any reputable church with a gospel-centered ministry would affirm, salvation can only be had by those who come to throne of God’s mercy by repentance of sin and placing faith in Christ alone. This, however, offers little security for the unborn, babies, and young children who lack any awareness of their sin or any knowledge of their need for a redeemer. For such as these, the Bible does offer some hope through various passages. In this article, these hopeful passages will be carefully examined to determine how each contributes to the eternal security of those who die young.

Though not explicit, David offers the most direct evidence which affirms God’s eternal provision for those who die young. Upon hearing about the death of his child, he exclaimed, “I will go to him, but he will not return to me” (2 Sam 12:23). Given that David understood himself to be saved (cf. 2 Sam 22:2-3), it would seem that David envisioned an eventual reunion with his departed child.

The innocence that David seemed to presume concerning his departed child is further affirmed by Jeremiah’s deliverance of a Word from the Lord spoken against the Israelites for sacrificing their sons on an alter to Baal (19:4-5). In this passage, God Himself calls these male children “innocent” and even refers to these sacrificed children as His children in Ezekiel 16:21.

Along with David’s hopeful remarks and God’s own determination of the young as being His own possession, admittedly weaker evidence for the eternal security of those who die young can be found in the passages where Christ addresses children. In Matthew 18:1-6 and 19:13-15, one learns that Christ ardently loves children and even employs the humility of children in His calling of adults toward humility. While these passages do indeed affirm God’s love for children, they remain woefully inadequate as sources of solid support for the eternal security of departed children.

Beyond David’s encouraging words and those of Christ in regard to children, one can also look to Job for additional support. Fairly close to the onset of his ordeal, Job cursed the day he was born and even wished he had been born stillborn (3:1-16; cf. Eccl 6:3-5). As to what would have happened to him if he had been born stillborn, Job proclaims not that he would have gone to hell, but rather he would be at rest (3:13). From this, one cannot help but conclude that Job did not envision eternal torment for stillborn infants at the very least.

To further build a case on this matter, one is forced to take a more theological approach. The Bible teaches that those who are condemned are those who willfully reject God’s revelation as opposed to the simple ignorance manifested by the young in regard to these matters (Luke 10:16; John 12:48; 1 Thess 4:8). It would seem certain that the young lack the requisite abilities to comprehend God’s revelation, whether it be that which is general or that which is special.

An even stronger theological argument in favor of God’s plan to save children arises from biblical discussion on the formation of children in the womb. According to Scripture, God Himself takes credit for a child’s formation in the womb and his/her destiny (Ps 139:12-16). Speaking of the prophet Jeremiah during the time he was still in his mother’s womb, God already knew him personally, chosen him, sanctified him, and determined his purposes for him. Like Jeremiah, God is fully in control of every child’s (unborn and born) sanctification and eternal future. In other words, the eternal state of any child is not dependent on the parent’s action (e.g., abortion) or the child’s response to the Lord.

In conclusion, it would seem the Scriptures in various ways offer hope for all who die young. While it fails to offer any considerable overt statements on the matter, it completely omits both explicit and implicit comments that would suggest that the young who die do so without hope. Instead, it shows that several major Old Testament figures seemed to have certainty of an eternal hope for the young. This, taken together with God’s determining role in a child’s destiny, Christ’s words regarding children, God’s special concern for the unborn, and the revealed character of God, gives us hope for all of those who depart early in life.