Do dead children become angels?

Written by Zhey Chua |Posted on May 16, 2009 | Comments

“When a child dies, he or she will automatically become an angel of God.”

This is common belief, but what is the biblical basis for this claim? Do dead children really turn into angels? If not, then where do their souls go? Why is it important to know the truth behind this claim?

Angels

Angels are spiritual beings and are part of the universe that God created. They are intelligent and the fact that there are fallen angels prove that they also exercise moral judgment. Lucifer is, in my humble opinion, the very best model of this fact. It is also interesting to note that angels are classified by rank, Michael, as we all know, is an “archangel” and in Daniel 10:13, we see that an “archangel” is one who holds a leadership position, he is one of the “chief princes”. Quite obviously, the cherubim and seraphim are the ones next in rank. Wayne Grudem’s Systematic Theology discusses that the cherubim were tasked to guard the entrance to the Garden of Eden, travel with God as His chariot, and in Ezekiel 10:1-22, we see that “God is enthroned on the cherubim”. The seraphim are specifically mentioned in the book of Isaiah where they worship God by continually calling to one another (Isaiah 6:3).

In Matthew 22:30, Jesus says thus, ” For in the resurrection they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.” (emphasis added), therefore we can assume that angels do not marry nor pro-create. Angels are also powerful, many times across Scripture, they are referred to as “powers”, “authorities” and “dominions”. But, here is a surprising fact: Angels may be powerful and may be authorities, but in 1 Corinthians 6: 2-3, Paul asks the brethren in Corinth thus, “do you not know that the saints will judge the world? And if the world is to be judged by you, are you incompetent to try trivial cases? Do you not know that we are to judge angels? How much more, then, matters pertaining to this life!” (emphasis added). Yes, we will be positioned higher than the angels on the day of the Lord’s coming and we will judge even the angels then.

“Angels can intercede for us”. Or, can they? This is another heresy propagated by the Catholic church and one that I also believed in for a great deal of time. 1 Timothy 2:5-6 shows us that there is only one mediator between man and God and that is the One who became a ransom for many, Jesus Christ himself. Therefore, we are to pray only to Jesus Christ and not to anyone else. That much is clear in this passage and is a direct rebuke to many of us who pray not just to angels, but also to Mary, Peter, Joseph, our dead relatives and so on for intercession (see also Hebrews 7). Note also that in Revelation 19:10, the angel declares that John must not worship him for he is “a fellow servant with you and your brothers who hold to the testimony of Jesus. Worship God.” (emphasis added).

Dead Children’s Souls

Now, what then happens to children who died before reaching the age of accountability or moral culpability? No, they certainly do not become angels of God. But they do go to heaven.

World-renowned Bible expositor and pastor of Grace Community Church, Dr. John MacArthur quickly replied “instant heaven” when Larry King asked him what happened to the souls of children who died during the September 11 attacks in the United States. It was the only answer we all wanted to hear, but inquiring minds wanted biblical basis for these two simple and assuring words.

One of the examples cited is David’s son who was clearly taken up into heaven at the time of his death, in 2 Samuel 12:23, David asks his servants, “Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again?” after they questioned why he stopped fasting. And then, he added, “I shall go to him but he will not return to me.”, which means that David will only be reunited with his son at his death (“I shall go to him”), David knew that this reunion will be in heaven. But more importantly, and essentially, is the fact that children under the age of accountability are also not capable of rejecting or even accepting God, and God extends His mercy to them. Salvation is by grace, and not of works (Ephesians 2:8-9), thereby these little ones’ souls are saved not on the merit of justification but of God’s eternal grace.

John Piper once quoted Deuteronomy 1:35-39 as clue to what happens to children who die before they reach the age of accountability. In the last verse, The Lord hath said, “And as for your little ones, who you said would become a prey, and your children, who today have no knowledge of good or evil, they shall go in there. And to them I will give it, and they shall possess it.”

Wayne Grudem also leaves us with an interesting observation regarding this matter, and I quote: “Here we must say that if such infants are saved, it cannot be on their own merits, or on the basis of their own righteousness or innocence, but it must be entirely on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work and regeneration by the work of the Holy Spirit within them.”

Dead children do not become angels, but they do go to heaven. What is the difference, you may ask, when whether they become angels or not, the important thing is that they are up there in heaven? Biblical Truth. It is important that even in the midst of grief, we are being comforted by truthful words and not just false, invented, cooked-up heresy. It is important that even in the midst of our loss, we are assured that we are clinging to a promise that is backed up by biblical truth and not just some empty, hollow, weight-less and useless lie.

***

NOTE: To anyone who may come across this post, particularly those whose children/child/young relative or friend passed on, I would personally like to recommend a good reading material by Dr. John MacArthur, Safe In The Arms of God. Here is the book’s synopsis as quoted from Barnes & Noble:

Every parent who has lost a child has dealt with disturbing, haunting questions. Why my child? Where is my baby now? Will I ever see my child again?

Renowned Bible expositor John MacArthur tackles the question of infant death (in the womb or following birth) in his trademark style-with detailed attention to Scriptures that hold the answers. No death occurs apart from the purposes of God, MacArthur assures readers, just as no life occurs apart from the purposes of God.

With a pastor’s heart, he leads readers to an understanding of the eternal destination of these precious little ones. His conclusion: Babies-and anyone else who has not reached the condition of accountability-go to heaven when they die, and there will, indeed, be a time of blessed reunion with these souls.

This comforting book is certain to bring consolation to those experiencing this most painful loss.