Bible Discussion Thread

Principle 5 What about the infants; children under "age of accountability" and mentally challenged individuals?

There are verses related to David's son that died with Bathsheeba that would seem to indicate that children who die before a certain age we can be confident to meet eventually in heaven. ( 2 Samuel 12:14). Those who are mentally challenged to the point where they don't consciously sin also could be arguably in that camp. I know someone who has attended concerts at our local church that I have run into twice in a month or two that is mentally challenged. He tends to obsessively listen to Christian music and gyrate uncontrollably. This is a good reminder to all of us that we don't always see what's going on in the heart of some people. It would be illogical to disbelieve in such individuals having universal salvation upon an early death and somehow expect that they would be Raptured. Whether making it to heaven AFTER death warrants being Raptured is a bit trickier; however. There are verses about gathering the weaning child in Joel 2:16 certainly invoke a theme like the Rapture in the Holy Convocation. We certainly should of course teach the scriptures faithfully to help rear our kids in the fear and admonition of the Lord.

In light of the above statement; I would say that unlike the hardened hearts of many adults; children still have potential for a large spiritual awakening in terms of numerical response to the Word. That could be something that would signify His imminent return; perhaps with abortions being significantly reduced we will indeed see if Satan has been terminating an army already in heaven of faithful martyrs and if a generation of believers will come into fruition when the children are allowed to live who otherwise would have been slain. This is just a theory; but God will receive praise ( Psalm 8:2).

Principle Six: ANY new believer is qualified for the Rapture. ( Luke 14:24-35). See my next post...