Some Die Once – Many Die Twice [Part 19]
In Part 19 of our series of Blog Posts from our upcoming book titled “One Way or Another Your Eternal Destination is Guaranteed” we are going to look at the question: “Can the Parent Lead the Child to the Decision? – A Child’s Eternal Future.”
A Child’s Eternal Future
The importance for a child’s eternal future cannot be overemphasized! Without question, the time of the Lord’s return to take up all believers at the moment of the Rapture is imminent. Right now, as this is being written, or as you are reading, this incredible prophesied event could happen at any moment. The prophecies of the Old Testament which have been fulfilled have been proven and recorded in secular as well as biblical accounts. Many of today’s unbelievable, shocking occurrences are actually prophesied. The New Testament prophesies are now being fulfilled before our eyes. For example, the rapid moving transgender agenda involves dishonoring bodies with mutilation; cutting off body parts and rearranging God’s creation.
Therefore God also gave them up to uncleanness in the lusts of their hearts, to dishonor their bodies among themselves. Romans 1:24
But indeed, O man, who are you to reply against God? Will the thing formed say to him who formed it, “Why have you made me like this?” Romans 9:20
Thankful for being Created
We all have so many blessings to be thankful for. We owe it to our Creator to make even the discernment of His Word a possibility.
For You [God] formed my inward parts; You covered me in my mother’s womb. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your works, and that my soul knows very well. Psalm 139:13-14
Search me, O God, and know my heart; try me, and know my anxieties; and see if there is any wicked way in me, and lead me in the way everlasting. Psalm 139:23-24
Newborn Child Condemned?
When a child is newly born; when God searches him and tries him, would God find any wicked way in him? Has the newborn broken any of the Ten Commandments? Isn’t he neither wicked nor righteous? Would a just God condemn such a one? Our God Himself tells us He is a just God:
“And there is no other God besides Me, a just God and a Savior; there is none besides Me.” Isaiah 45:21b
If a newborn died in his first two or three days of life, would a just God condemn him? The Savior said:
“Do not marvel at this; for the hour is coming in which all who are in the graves will hear His voice and come forth—those who have done good, to the resurrection of life, and those who have done evil, to the resurrection of condemnation. I can of Myself do nothing. As I hear, I judge; and My judgment is righteous [KJV: Just], because I do not seek My own will but the will of the Father who sent Me.” John 5:28-30
The Judge
It is up to the Father’s will (John 5:22). The Father committed all judgment to His just Son. We do have a just God and Savior as we observe in the following verses:
Which of the prophets did your fathers [Jewish ancestors] not persecute? And they killed those [prophets] who foretold the coming of the Just One, of whom you now have become the betrayers and murderers. Acts 7:52
Finally, brethren, whatever things are true, whatever things are noble, whatever things are just, whatever things are pure, whatever things are lovely, whatever things are of good report, if there is any virtue and if there is anything praiseworthy—meditate on these things. Philippians 4:8
They sing the song of Moses, the servant of God, and the song of the Lamb, saying: “Great and marvelous are Your works, Lord God Almighty! Just and true are Your ways, O king of the saints! Revelation 15:3
Knowledge of Good and Evil
Indeed, God’s Word tells us that He is a just God. And we know the little ones have no knowledge of good and evil; it is one and the same as them not yet being consciously aware of the difference between good and evil. Since Satan fervently desires for us to have this knowledge, he said:
“For God knows that in the day you eat of it your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” Genesis 3:5
The Word “Food”
It is important to look again at the next two verses because this explains that “knowing good and evil” is what when sin commences:
“For God knows that in the day you eat of it [commit the sin] your eyes will be opened, and you will be like God, knowing good and evil.” So when the woman saw that the tree was good for food, that it was pleasant to the eyes, and a tree desirable to make one wise, she took of its fruit and ate. She also gave to her husband with her, and he ate. Genesis 3:5-6
The word food in verse 6 can mean more than something tasty and edible; it can also represent temptations in the world to commit sin:
For all that is in the world—the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life—is not of the Father but is of the world. 1 John 2:16
The Strong’s Concordance says:
“The word fruit in verse 6 can mean more than just a mature edible product of a plant; it can also be the product or result of an action.”
[Source: The New Strong’s Expanded Exhaustive Concordance of the Bible © 2001 by Thomas Nelson Publishers, Greek Dictionary, p. 231, Number 6529].
The Child’s Eternal Future
The children who have not yet been exposed to Satan’s worldly temptations have not known the world’s pleasantries. Moses quoted the LORD (Deuteronomy1:37) in Deuteronomy 1:39
“Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.” Deuteronomy 1:39
Law and Eternity
Of course, the child who has not heard of the Law is not under the Law, but also is without the Law. But when mature enough to know good and evil, then his conscience will get his attention and convict him. And if he never responds with the decision to reject Satan and accept Christ, he will not receive the Holy Spirit and will suffer with the devil’s wishes for all eternity. The Law is so full of common sense and wisdom that it is impossible for a mature person to not realize his own faults.
For as many as have sinned without law will also perish without law, and as many as have sinned in the law will be judged by the law (for not the hearers of the law are just in the sight of God, but the doers of the law will be justified; for when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do the things in the law, these, although not having the law, are a law to themselves, who show the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and between themselves their thoughts accusing or else excusing them) Romans 2:12-15
If a person’s conscience bears witness, and therefore becomes conscious of good and evil, it applies to them who do not know the Law.
Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is sin. James 4:17
For the person who does know the Law and yet disobeys, he needs to pay attention. Have you ever told a lie? … I have (and a lot worse). The Law and my conscience condemned me. But, Halleluiah! I have been forgiven!
for by the law is the knowledge of sin. Romans 3:20b
Admittance into Heaven
At the moment one is mature enough to be conscious that he has broken any one of the Ten Commandments, or has done something offensive or evil, God separates that person from Himself. This means that until forgiveness from God is sincerely asked for, there will be no admittance into heaven. Requesting forgiveness from God must be done with sincerity, but it need not necessarily be audible; He knows our thoughts (Psalm 139:2; Matthew 9:4; 12:25). Considering the word ETERNITY, there is nothing more frightening for a man than to take his last breath and die with unforgiven sins.
Promised Land
There are many examples of shadows, or previews in the Old Testament relating to the truths that are provided in the New Testament. For example, the promised land is a foretaste of heaven. We see this in the following verses:
Then the LORD said: “But your little ones, whom you said would be victims, I will bring in, and they shall know the land which you have despised.” Numbers 14:20a, 31a
“Moreover your little ones and your children, who you say will be victims, who today have no knowledge of good and evil, they shall go in there; to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.” Deuteronomy 1:39Shall the prey be taken from the mighty, or the captives of the righteous be delivered? But thus says the LORD: Even the captives of the mighty shall be taken away, and the prey of the terrible be delivered; for I will contend with him who contends with you, and I will save your children. Isaiah 49:24-25
Salvation
Please do not begin to think that there is a means of salvation in today’s Church Age outside the free gift, the gospel of grace in Christ (John 3:18, 36). The only verses I can find that apply to anyone being spared judgment are provided here; and these all pertain to children who have not had an opportunity to have knowledge of good and evil, to discern the truth, and to make a choice.
Although Scripture does not straightforwardly say so, there’s plenty in it that certainly supports the fact that young children are on their way to heaven; and believers’ young children are apt to be raptured with their parent(s) at any moment. However, when they reach the age of accountability—not exactly the same age for everyone—their journey is turned around unless they have come to believe in God; if not they are destined for the same place as all other unbelievers.
God’s Plan
Unforgiven sinners are walking in their own shadows instead of heading toward the Light. They are going in the direction of the world and the lake of fire instead of toward God. When they realize they are not right with God, that can be the moment they come to believe in Him. The Spirit will have led them to sincerely regret their unrighteous actions, repent, and ask forgiveness. With the shed blood of the Lord Jesus God has forgiven them and they are on the right path to God’s kingdom. Nothing can change God’s plan.
Next Blog Post, on April 24, 2025:
“What if a Child Dies before reaching the Age of Accountability? Infants have not Discerned the Gospel”
Pray that people will come to the saving knowledge of the Truth before it’s too late, and love their children to teach them the Truth.
Thank you for reading and God bless you!
Blog Posts Related to this Topic:
What is a Believer? What is an Unbeliever?
The Decision – Is it only for Self?
Comments and Questions Welcome
Feel free to let us know your thoughts in the comment section.
We welcome any questions you might have as we like to hear from you.
Please share this blog with your friends if you liked it, if not, please let us know.
How to Receive Eternal Life Posts
Would you like to find out why believers have hope of Eternal Life and how to develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ? Check out these blog posts if your answer is “yes.”
Receiving Eternal Life as easy as A-B-C-D
Why do I need the God of the Bible?
Resources:
Check Out these Interesting Resources:
The Friends of Israel Gospel Ministry. Inc.
Gospel Folio Press – William MacDonald – Believers Bible Commentary
Warren Henderson Publishing
Christ-centered Books and Messages to Enhance Your Spiritual Growth
Solving the Spiritual Dilemma
And check out our latest book “Solving the Spiritual Dilemma” which answers many questions about the hope believers have and how to develop a life-changing relationship with Jesus Christ.
or go directly to Amazon.com or Barnes & Noble
Scripture taken from the New King James Version, unless stated otherwise. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
.
