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Will children be resurrected to earth or heaven?

When Jesus died and was resurrected, he paid the ransom price so that all people would be freed from the Adamic curse of death. This is an important thought to keep in mind because if you believe that you have to be a Christian in order to be “saved,” there are some serious questions that must be addressed. 

What is the fate of the countless millions who have never heard of Jesus? What about those who lived before Jesus’ time? What about the person who believes, but does not make any changes in his life for the better? Lastly, what about the child who dies before he has had an opportunity to choose whether he wants to follow in the footsteps of Jesus? 

When Jesus fulfilled his mission, which was to sacrifice his perfect life on the cross, He redeemed everyone who ever lived in the past and everyone who was yet to live. Numerous scriptures bring out this fact. 

For example, 1 Timothy 2:3-6 says, “This is good, and pleases God our Savior, who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men—the testimony given in its proper time.” 

Again in 1 Timothy 4:10 we read, “that we have put our hope in the living God, who is the Savior of all men, and especially of those who believe.” 

These scriptures indicate that all men will be saved, but that there is a special class (a heavenly class) who are to be favored first. 

John 5:28-29 says, “a time is coming when all who are in their graves will hear his voice and come out—those who have done good will rise to live, [the heavenly class will rise to eternal life] and those who have done evil [the remainder of the world not called for a heavenly reward] will rise to judgment.” 

This scripture implies a separation of the two classes that are to be saved—one in heaven and one class on earth who will be judged at a time yet future. The class that is to be judged, we believe, will be resurrected on earth and will have ample time to learn of the Lord and of his righteousness. 

“For just as through the disobedience of the one man  [Adam] the many were made sinners, so also through the obedience of the one man  [Jesus Christ] the many will be made righteous.” (Romans 5:19) 

Even though the letters in the New Testament speak to the saints (the “called-out” ones, those striving to be of the heavenly or church class), the scriptures, as you can see, do not minimize Jesus’ sacrifice for everyone else. 

Those who are called out to sacrifice are judged now as they strive to copy the character of their Master, Jesus. Those not called out are not judged now, but will be later in the “day of judgment” on earth when the heavenly class has been completed. The end result of that judgment will be the eradication of tears, pain, sorrow, crying and finally death itself. (See Revelation 21:1-4.) We look forward with great anticipation to that glorious day! 

To learn more about the resurrection and God’s plan for humanity listen to, “Are Jesus’ Ransom and Our Salvation the Same?”

To learn more about how God judges babies listen to, “Does God Judge Everyone the Same Way?”