Biblical answers for the bereaved
By Billy Graham
Question: Our precious little baby died several months ago, and I can’t tell you how hard
it’s been.
Is she an angel now?
I find comfort in thinking so, because I know angels are supposed to surround us
and maybe she is with us still, even if we can’t see her.
Answer: Although I know it is popular to think of loved ones as becoming angels when
they pass away, the Bible actually teaches that angels are a special class of spiritual beings
whom God created before the beginning of the world. Strictly speaking, therefore, we
don’t become angels when we go to heaven.
However, take comfort that your baby is now safely in God’s loving care, and
nothing can ever change that.
She is now in a place were death & pain will never touch her, for in Heaven “There
will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed
away”(Revelation 21:4)
I often think of Jesus’ words when I hear of a child’s death: “Let the little children
come unto me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as
these”(Mark 10:14)
Take comfort also in the knowledge that God loves you, and He wants to bring
peace & comfort to your hearts.
No, I can’t explain why God allows tragedy to touch our lives, and there can be no
greater heartache than the loss of a child. But I do know this: God knows what it is to
lose a son, for Jesus Christ died on the cross for our sins.
If you have never done so, turn to Him and invite Him into your lives, and then
rejoice that some day you will be with your child, and with Christ, forever.
Here are a few common questions on the subject of angels & their answers from pastors & others. If you have a question you would like to see answered on this page by anyone listed here—please contact us
Question: Is my child an angel now?
Answers: I certainly hope not, for only man was created
"in the image of God." "It doeth not yet appear what we shall be, but we know
that, when he shall appear, we shall be LIKE HIM (not like angels)...(1John
3:2). Read about the resurrection body in 1 Corinthians 15:35ff.
Don Dunn
Pastor Midway Baptist Church
Clinton, Tennessee
Biblically speaking, Angels are created spiritual beings and are not human. Christ was given authority over all principalities and powers, including Angels. Christ is our brother and God is our father and we are made in His image. Angels perform a necessary function as God's heavenly workers on Earth. They can be messengers, protectors, give encouragement and guidance, punishers, patrollers of the Earth, and warriors against evil. Of course there are fallen angels too. Revelation 7:11-12 says eventually their main role will be to offer continuous praise to God. Colossians 2:18 says we are not to worship them. Hebrews Chapter 1 and 2 describes in detail how Christ is superior to angels; 1:14 says, "Are not all angels ministering spirits sent to serve those who will inherit salvation?" (Yep folks, those inheritors include our babies!) 2:11 says, "Both the one who makes men holy (Jesus) and those who are made holy (us and our little ones) are of the same family." 2:13 says, ".....Here am I, and the children God has given me." And finally, 2:16 says, "For surely it is not angels he helps, but Abraham's descendants."
Despite all the above, I take comfort in the fact that the bible states that angels watch over little children:
"See that you do not look down on one of these little ones. For I tell you that their (guardian) angels in heaven always see the face of my Father in heaven........Your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should be lost." Matthew 18:10, 14.
Rachel Koopmans
Moderator of Rachel’s Children
Christian Support Group for Pregnancy/Infant Loss
Question: What will my child look like when I get to heaven? (I.e. will they still be a baby or grown) Will he/she know who I am?
Answers: Some things we do not fully understand now, "For now we
see through a glass, darkly; but then face to face: now I know in part; but
then shall I know even as also I am known" -- 1 Corinthians 13:12. How did
you know your child before? That's how you will know him then.
Don Dunn
Pastor Midway Baptist Church
Clinton, Tennessee
I cannot give you a Biblical answer at this time to your question but I can tell what I have heard smarter people than myself say. When we get to Heaven we will be physically complete in perfected bodies and I "feel" that means that we will all be in bodies of the age of twenty or thirty. Old arthritic bodies will be new and fresh and useable. Young bodies that never got a chance to grow and function will also be new and fresh and useable. When we get to Heaven, your little Cristin will be (in my opinion) fully grown and will recognize you and you will recognize her. What a blessed day that will be!!
Mitchell Reaves
Pastor Northside Baptist Church
Chattanooga, Tennessee
Questions: What about miscarried or aborted babies?
Answers: See Matthew 18:3-6, 10, 14(see also Jack Hayford's book "I'll Hold You in Heaven" that deals with this subject)
Question: My baby was not baptized (saved etc.)-will he/she go to heaven?
Answers: What religions teach is not the final answer,
only if agrees with the Word of God. See Numbers 15:27-28. There it speaks
of "sins of ignorance," and says that "the priest shall make an atonement
for the soul that sinneth ignorantly, when he sinneth by ignorance before
the Lord, to make an atonement for him; and it shall be forgiven him." If
children sin before they reach the age of accountability, they sin in
"ignorance," the atonement made by our Lord Jesus Christ, our High Priest,
provides such with forgiveness.
Don Dunn
Pastor Midway Baptist Church
Clinton, Tennessee
More Information on this topic:
For a good reference on these kind of questions -you may wish to read Jack Hayford’s “I’ll Hold You in Heaven” Available in most Christian bookstores.
Or check out Wendy Lester's excellent article on angels at: http://wendy.bornagain.net/angels.html
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