Synopsis
When Babies Die: Where do they go? Heaven? Hell? For ages, this question has baffled men and women, preacher and layman, learned and the "common man" -Joe Average citizen. Many a grieving parent have longed for solid, but true, answers, not just 'fairy-tale' assurances, lacking substance or reliability. Now, theological researcher, Gordon Wayne Watts, of Lakeland, Fla. (between Orlando & Tampa), whose claim to fame was almost winning the landmark 'Terri Schiavo' case -by himself -despite not being a lawyer, puts research skills to work on this case. His analysis addresses not only unborn babies who die in infancy and killed via abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, & Early Infant Death -but also persons born with mental disabilities who subsequently die -and by extension, this may possibly include peoples who have never heard of the Gospel of Christ -such as remote tribes of the world. First, there needs to be a distinction made with the 'proximal' fate, as opposed to the 'eternal' fate. (In other words, where the infant's soul is "for the time being" is NOT necessarily the same as his or her eternal fate, and there IS a difference.) Second, while most simply have assumed an "innocent" baby would go to heaven (and this is probably true -for the 'time being'), the eternal fate is a different story. While the "ending" will catch most off-guard, it's a 'good' ending, rest assured. Watts explores nine (9) different positions on this matter, and eliminates 7 of them as theologically impossible, leaving 2 possible outcomes: * Position 1: Heaven --forever * Position 2: Hell (or destruction) * Position 3: Purgatory (a Catholic concept) * Position 4: Heaven (for the time being), but then eventually, the Millennium (Rev. 20:4) and are given a chance for Free Will -like both humans and angels had * Position 5: The Babies "lived not again until the thousand years were finished." (Rev. 20:5), but get a chance to hear the Gospel then * Position 6: Only baptised babies make it to heaven * Position 7: Only 'foreknown' ('predestined' or 'elect') babies make it to heaven * Position 8: Only babies of Christian parents make it to heaven * Position 9: Babies could express faith in Jesus (a position held by author, Rich Lusk, in his book, 'Paedofaith') WATTS says: "I know that I might lose sales if people can read 'for free' my case for position 4 above, but, I want to add this addendum here -to help offer real encouragement to as many people as possible, even people who might not be able to afford my book. Why? People often misinterpret Mark 9:37, for example: This passage address standards of treatment -not character of the children in question here. Also, King David said that he would go to his son (2 Sam 12:23), but this might mean the grave (and not heaven). Further, David was often metaphorical (and wrong!), as Psalm 13:1-4 proves: God did NOT abandon him! So, we must turn to other Scriptures to see the actual truth of this matter. In short, the Millennium features children (ISAIAH 11:6b,8), people who live in mortal bodies and die (ISAIAH 65:20b) and Free Will (as proven by the rebellion at the end of the millennium in Revelation 20:9), so the Bible does NOT prohibit nor preclude the Millennium from offering these children such Free Will choice: if God offered angels Free Will (proven by one-third having fallen) and humans free will, why would it be contrary to his character to offer babies free will?" See: http://GordonWatts.com/theology/WhenBabiesDie.html or: http://GordonWayneWatts.com/theology/WhenBabiesDie.html for further information -FREE and at no cost to you. This is a deep subject, and the writer assumes the reader accepts the Holy Bible as authoritative (since this is the main source of the proof offered), but Watts gives this subject a deeper treatment than any other writer, to date. Sit back, grab a cup of hot cocoa or a tall, iced-cold latte, and enjoy the journey on which Mr. Watts takes the reader.
About the Author
Gordon Wayne Watts, A.S., B.S. resides in Lakeland and Plant City, Florida, and his main claim to fame is a lawsuit[1] that got further in court than either former Florida Governor, Bush's similar attempt[2], or Terri's own blood family[3], in their respective attempts to save Terri Schiavo: [1] In Re: GORDON WAYNE WATTS (as next friend of THERESA MARIE 'TERRI' SCHIAVO), No. SC03-2420 (Fla. Feb.23, 2003), denied 4-3 on rehearing. http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/clerk/dispositions/2005/2/03-2420reh.pdf [2] In Re: JEB BUSH, GOVERNOR OF FLORIDA, ET AL. v. MICHAEL SCHIAVO, GUARDIAN: THERESA SCHIAVO, No. SC04-925 (Fla. Oct.21, 2004), denied 7-0 on rehearing. http://www.floridasupremecourt.org/clerk/dispositions/2004/10/04-925reh.pdf [3] Schiavo ex rel. Schindler v. Schiavo ex rel. Schiavo, 403 F.3d 1223, 2005 WL 648897 (11th Cir. Mar.23, 2005), denied 2-1 on appeal. http://www.ca11.uscourts.gov/opinions/ops/200511628.pdf Watts is also a graduate of The Florida State University, with his double major with honours in Biological and Chemical Science, some post baccalaureate education, a vocational associate's degree from United Electronics Institute, and some recent theological classes at Evangelical University -and a few classes in the "school of hard knocks." Mr. Watts is a Protestant Christian, attending the First Baptist Church at the Mall in Lakeland, Florida, the same church attended by famous Preterist author, Rev. John L. Bray. Gordon has read the Bible from cover-to-cover in the KJV, and now is part-way through in the AMP version – and continues his studies in the Bible – and in other areas, such as science, politics, and activism to help oppose unjust laws and seek change, consistent with the teachings of Jesus.
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