My theology says that all abortions, miscarriages, stillbirths, infant deaths, children’s deaths, the mentally handicapped – they all go to heaven. This is certain; it is obscene to imagine otherwise. Abraham cried out in his intercession over Sodom and Gomorrah, “Will not the Judge of the whole earth do right?” Yes, the Judge of the whole earth will do right!
The grief surrounding the death of a child is inconsolable. There is no rhyme or reason, there is no conceivable justification or credible explanation that can begin to give one-tenth of an ounce of comfort to those whose world has been turned upside-down and who are being pounded by a grief that will cling to their souls in some measure for the rest of their lives. Those who try to explain the inexplicable, those who seek to reason out the irrational are on a fool’s errand. Just be quiet and weep with those who weep. No, I don’t know the reason behind the death of a child – but I know the reality!
Here is that reality. Little ones that go to heaven are not curled up in a fetal position in some corner of heaven whimpering for mom and dad. Little ones that go to heaven have become big ones who, if you could see them, as CS Lewis said, you would think they were gods. They are in the full state of redeemed humanity, rejoicing before the throne of God, singing the Song of the Lamb. All the sorrow is ours and they share none of it. We grieve because they will not play Little League or watch the Wizard of Oz. They will miss so many Christmases and not attend the prom or graduate from high school. They won’t experience their first kiss or know the joy of falling in love, getting married, and having children. We cry out, “You’re missing out on so much.” Their sweet voices carry down from heaven, “We’re not the ones missing out!”
All the sorrow is ours, and they share none of it.
In heaven, all sorrow and bitterness are removed from the human soul. Heaven makes up for everything. All the bitterness, regret, and sorrow of earth is swallowed up by heaven. Your deepest wound, greatest betrayal, most grievous sorrow, most shameful regret, your sin and guilt will be erased and deleted from the hard drive of your soul in heaven. Heaven makes up for everything. This is true for all the redeemed of the Lord. And this is true of little ones who go to heaven. They would not trade the matchless joy of heaven for a prom dance or a first kiss! Esau sold his birthright for a bowl of stew. The little ones of Earth who become big ones in heaven aren’t going to fall for that.
Why do bad things happen to good people? I don’t know the reason, but I know the reality. Heaven makes up for everything.
All the sorrow is ours, and they share none of it.
“He will wipe away every tear from their eyes; and there will no longer be any death; there will no longer be any mourning, or crying, or pain; the first things have passed away.” Revelation 21:4.
What an awesome hope we have. What a great God we serve. What a deep comfort is ours.
