A friend and supporter of our ministry wrote:

...when my family and I recently watched the "Left Behind" movies, it led to a discussion between my husband and I about the assumption that all the babies and children will be Raptured. ... Can you point me in the direction of some teaching on this subject, specifically on what the writers for the "Left Behind" series may have based this assumption...?

Thank you for writing, Beloved of God. The "Left Behind" series, both books and movies, have increased America's interest in the coming Tribulation and the Rapture of the Church. For this I applaud all those who are involved in it's production. Most humans are stimulated by their senses - touch, taste, smell, sight, hearing - and this series has awakened many people to that which the Scripture has long taught, that Jesus is returning soon, and that God is going to judge this planet. The "Left Behind" series has opened many eyes to these truths. Perhaps it has even led some to accept Jesus Christ as Savior.

We need to remember, though, that the "Left Behind" series is a fictional series that may or may not follow strict Scriptural guidelines. I have had people come to me and say that they were interested to find out that the antichrist's name would be "Nicolai". Scripturally the antichrist is not identified by name, but only by number (666). There are a number of other writer's conventions that the authors of the "Left Behind" series use to maintain interest and create suspense, but these conventions are just that - fiction. We have to be careful to separate the Left Behind series from the Scripture: the former is fiction, the latter is the Word of God.

As to whether children will be Raptured prior to the Tribulation, there is no Scriptural evidence either for or against this. The Bible makes it plain that the purpose of the Rapture is to give all saved believers, both living and dead, a glorified and sinless body:

(1 Thessalonians 4:13-17 KJV) "But I would not have you to be ignorant, BRETHREN, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. {14} For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so THEM ALSO WHICH SLEEP IN JESUS WILL GOD BRING WITH HIM. {15} For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. {16} For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the DEAD IN CHRIST SHALL RISE FIRST: {17} Then WE WHICH ARE ALIVE AND REMAIN SHALL BE CAUGHT UP TOGETHER WITH THEM in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and so shall we ever be with the Lord."

The Scripture specifically applies the action of the Rapture to the Christian, the believer who has accepted Christ as Savior. Phrases like SLEEP IN JESUS and DEAD IN CHRIST along with BRETHREN emphasize that the Rapture is focused toward believers.

(1 Corinthians 15:38-57 KJV) "But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased him, and to every seed his own body. {39} All flesh is not the same flesh: but there is one kind of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of fishes, and another of birds. {40} There are also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the glory of the celestial is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is another. {41} There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars: for one star differeth from another star in glory. {42} So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in incorruption: {43} It is sown in dishonor; it is raised in glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: {44} It is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body. There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body. {45} And so it is written, The first man Adam was made a living soul; the last Adam was made a quickening spirit. {46} Howbeit that was not first which is spiritual, but that which is natural; and afterward that which is spiritual. {47} The first man is of the earth, earthy: the second man is the Lord from heaven. {48} As is the earthy, such are they also that are earthy: and as is the heavenly, such are they also that are heavenly. {49} And as we have borne the image of the earthy, we shall also bear the image of the heavenly. {50} Now this I say, brethren, that flesh and blood cannot inherit the kingdom of God; neither doth corruption inherit incorruption. {51} Behold, I show you a mystery; We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, {52} In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. {53} For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. {54} So when this corruptible shall have put on incorruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. {55} O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? {56} The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. {57} But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ."

The Rapture is the completion of our, the Believer's, sanctification. When we pass from this life our souls go to be with Jesus, but our bodies go into the ground to wait for the Rapture. At the Rapture we are given sinless and eternal bodies, and meet the Lord in the air. Following the Rapture all glorified believers attend the Marriage Supper of the Lamb where we all are arrayed in white linen and presented to Christ as His completed Bride (Revelation 19:6-9). There is no indication in Scripture as to whether children under the age of accountability are included in this number or not.

It is important to remember that our Creator does not necessarily view children as we do. Though the Scripture counts children as a blessing from God:

(Psalms 127:3 KJV) "Lo, children are an heritage of the LORD: and the fruit of the womb is his reward."

And Jesus our Lord cherished children:

(Matthew 19:14 KJV) "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven."

And warned against abusing children who believed in Him:

(Matthew 18:5-6 KJV) "And whoso shall receive one such little child in my name receiveth me. {6} But whoso shall offend one of these little ones which believe in me, it were better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and that he were drowned in the depth of the sea."

God often allowed children, regardless as to whether they had reached the age of accountability or not, to be included in acts of judgment. When God warned Pharaoh that He would destroy the firstborn of every family in Egypt if Pharaoh did not let Israel go, this was an across the board judgment. The children that were killed were killed regardless as to age, if they inhabited the household of unbelieving parents.

(Exodus 11:5 KJV) "And all the firstborn in the land of Egypt shall die, from the firstborn of Pharaoh that sitteth upon his throne, even unto the firstborn of the maidservant that is behind the mill; and all the firstborn of beasts."

The innocent suffered and died because the parents were guilty. When God told Israel to take the land of Canaan as their own, they were to drive all the Canaanites from the land, including their children:

(Numbers 33:51-53 KJV) "Speak unto the children of Israel, and say unto them, When ye are passed over Jordan into the land of Canaan; {52} Then ye shall drive out all the inhabitants of the land from before you, and destroy all their pictures, and destroy all their molten images, and quite pluck down all their high places: {53} And ye shall dispossess the inhabitants of the land, and dwell therein: for I have given you the land to possess it."

Again, the innocent suffered judgment because of the guilty unbelieving parents. When God destroyed Canaan under His judgment, He destroyed all including the children. Again, the innocent suffered judgment because of the guilty.

(Zephaniah 2:5 KJV) "Woe unto the inhabitants of the sea coast, the nation of the Cherethites! the word of the LORD is against you; O Canaan, the land of the Philistines, I will even destroy thee, that there shall be no inhabitant."

One of the prophesies of the coming Messiah was that an evil ruler would kill all the firstborn innocent children in Bethlehem.

(Matthew 2:16-18 KJV) "Then Herod, when he saw that he was mocked of the wise men, was exceeding wroth, and sent forth, and slew all the children that were in Bethlehem, and in all the coasts thereof, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had diligently inquired of the wise men. {17} Then was fulfilled that which was spoken by Jeremy the prophet, saying, {18} In Rama was there a voice heard, lamentation, and weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, and would not be comforted, because they are not."

God not only prophesied this through Jeremiah, but allowed this to take place. These were innocent children who suffered death at the hands of a guilty and evil Herod. The innocent suffered because of the guilty. So is it possible that children under the age of accountability will be left behind during the Rapture of the Church? It is possible. God often allows the young and innocent to suffer because of the foolishness, laziness, or sinfulness of the older guilty parties. You cannot help but see the photographs of children starving overseas with their poor extended bellies and not see that the innocent often suffer in this life. That is the curse that Adam brought on all creation by his selfish action in the Garden, the curse of sin on all creation. Often those who know no better, innocent children, suffer because of the guilty. Millions of aborted children testify to this, much to our shame in America.

I wish I could tell you that, absolutely, those under the age of accountability will go with us in the Rapture, but I'm afraid I can't. In fact, based on Scriptural records, I would be more inclined to believe the opposite. Rather than concern myself over this, though, I am content to love and trust the Creator who saved me with His own blood. It is certain that God is love, and it is certain that He calls us who believe in Him to actively witness of the love that He has shown us when He - an Innocent Himself - suffered because of the guilty, because of us. From an early age I witnessed to my children, prayed for my children, taught my children, and took my children to Church. Though my middle child died when he was 17 years old in a horrible accident, he had accepted Jesus Christ as Savior and - though he cannot come to me - I will one day go to be with him and Jesus. My other two children are also saved. My oldest son, now 21, is going through college and will go to seminary to be a youth minister. My youngest son, now 19, is saved and in school learning to be a chef. As my children have children I plan on witnessing to these blessings from God as soon as I see them. Our Great God does not want anyone to perish, but wants all to come to eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. He honors the parent who loves, prays for, and witnesses to his children, and has proved to me three times that He can and will save children from the wrath that is to come. Trust Jesus and witness, Beloved. They'll come to Christ early if you are faithful - I have seen children as young as 4 years old accept Jesus as Savior and mean it. Witness, pray, and grow in the Word of God. Read the Word first, all other things afterward but with an eye toward what the Scripture says.

(1 Corinthians 1:7-9 KJV) "So that ye come behind in no gift; waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ: {8} Who shall also confirm you unto the end, that ye may be blameless in the day of our Lord Jesus Christ. {9} God is faithful, by whom ye were called unto the fellowship of his Son Jesus Christ our Lord."