Articles, Bible Questions and Discipleship Guides

Doug wrote to our ministry with this question:

When a baby dies and goes to heaven, does it remain an infant for eternity? Or if a very old person dies and goes to heaven, will he/she remain elderly? 

Doug, you've touched on a tender and thought-provoking question. It's one that believers often wrestle with. When a baby dies and goes to heaven, does it remain a baby, or will he/she be mature? Conversely, will a feeble elderly person remain feeble?"

The Bible does not provide a definitive answer to this question. God leaves it to us to form theological interpretations and personal beliefs. My perspective is that in heaven, every believer, regardless of their earthly age at death, is brought to a place of maturity, wholeness, and perfection, maturity, and perfection. Here are some principles I base my view on.

1. The Nature of Heavenly Existence:

In heaven, the limitations and sufferings of earthly life, such as pain, sickness, and death, are no more (Revelation 21:4). This transformation suggests a state of existence that's beyond our current understanding and physical limitations. In 1 Corinthians 15:42-44, Paul describes the resurrection body as being sown in dishonor and raised in glory, sown in weakness and raised in power, sown a natural body and raised a spiritual body. This indicates a significant transformation from our earthly existence.

2. Perfection and Maturity in Christ:

The belief that infants and the elderly will be vibrant and mature in heaven is grounded in the idea that heaven is a place of perfection. Ephesians 4:13 speaks of reaching "to mature manhood, to the measure of the stature of the fullness of Christ." In heaven, that early goal will be realized. Everyone in heaven, regardless of their earthly age at death, will be brought to this fullness in Christ, which includes spiritual maturity and perfection.

3. The Continuity of Identity:

An essential aspect of this viewpoint is the continuity of personal identity. The child who enters heaven is the same person, yet without the earthly constraints of developmental stages. In heaven, their identity is not lost but is fulfilled in the most perfect way.

4. God's Love and Justice:

This perspective also reflects the love and justice of God. It reassures believers that infants and young children, who were incapable of understanding and responding to the Gospel in their earthly life, are lovingly brought to a state of maturity and perfection in God’s presence. Yes, babies who die do go to heaven. God’s mercy and grace extend to these little ones in a way that aligns with His loving nature. For parents and loved ones who have experienced the heart-wrenching loss of a child, this belief offers a deep comfort. It's a reassurance that their child is not only safe in the presence of God but is also experiencing the fullness of life that God intends for all His children.

5. Heavenly Activities: Praise and Worship

A final aspect to consider is the nature of what we do in heaven. Heaven is described as a place of praise and worship of God. The Bible describes a banquet table of fellowship and celebration. The activities of heaven require a level of maturity that infants do not possess in their earthly form. The belief that babies reach maturity in heaven also aligns with the idea that they will actively participate in these essential heavenly activities. In a state of perfected maturity, all inhabitants of heaven, regardless of their age at death, would be fully capable of understanding, appreciating, and engaging in the worship and glorification of God.

This participation in heavenly worship not only speaks to the maturity and understanding they would possess but also to the joy and fulfillment they would experience. Worship in heaven is an expression of direct, unobstructed communion with God, something that a mature, glorified state would facilitate. Thus, the belief that deceased infants grow to maturity in heaven addresses a logical necessity for participation in heavenly worship and reflects a beautiful aspect of God's redemptive plan, where every soul experiences the fullness of joy in His presence.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, while the Bible does not provide explicit details about the state of infants and the elderly in heaven, the belief that they are mature and perfected in heaven offers a comforting and hopeful perspective. It aligns with the broader biblical themes of resurrection, transformation, and the perfecting work of Christ. This view offers solace to grieving families and upholds the profound truth of God’s love and grace, extended to all, regardless of their age or earthly experiences.