Does
the Bible teach about Limbo? What would happen to the souls of unbaptized
children in Limbo?
According
to the Catholic encyclopedia, in theological usage the name Limbo is applied to:
(a) the temporary place or state of the souls of the just who, although purified from sin, were excluded from the beatific vision until Christ's triumphant
ascension into Heaven (the "limbus
patrum"); or
(b) to the permanent place or state of those unbaptized
children and others who, dying without grievous personal sin, are excluded from the beatific vision on account of original sin alone (the "limbus infantium" or
"puerorum").
.
The root of the word limbo is “the edge of a hem on a garment,” so the word itself is telling us that limbo is someplace which borders very close to another.
.
The root of the word limbo is “the edge of a hem on a garment,” so the word itself is telling us that limbo is someplace which borders very close to another.
A very broad definition of limbo is “a zone which exists between two
definite places.”
The Bible does not give the name “limbo” to any
specific place or realm, but various people have used the word “limbo” in
various ways.
One Roman Catholic tradition names a limbo for children who die before their baptisms or die outside of the Roman Catholic religion.
There is no biblical support
for this view. It is merely a religious opinion which has been handed down by
Catholic theologians.
The closest biblical account for a “limbo”
concerns “Abraham’s bosom” and “paradise” in the parable of the rich man and
Lazarus (Luke 16:19-31).
Although it is a parable to teach a truth
concerning prophecies declaring the kingdom of God, the places “Abraham’s
bosom” and “paradise” mentioned must be real places or Jesus would not have referred
to them.
Parables are not based upon imaginary objects and
locations, but on things which are real.
So before the death and resurrection of Jesus
Christ, there were two places souls went upon death.
One place is at the side of Abraham (often
described as Abraham’s bosom). This would be for people who died in faith in
God’s promised Messiah, just as Abraham did, and were declared righteous by
faith (Genesis 15:4-6; Romans 4:13-24).
Those who died in unbelief went to a place of
torment, commonly called “hell.” These people are not in the Book of Life
because they do not have eternal life through faith in Christ, and they are
cast into their final destination in the “lake of fire - gehenna.”
Limbo as a realm in between heaven and hell, sort
of another purgatory, is not found anywhere in Scriptures.
If there is any sort of a limbo, it is the
temporary holding place of departed spirits called “hades” or “sheol” in the
Bible.
But this is also a temporary limbo. These souls
will appear at the second resurrection before the Before the Great White Throne.
Revelation 20:11- Then I saw a great white throne and him who was seated on it. From
his presence earth and sky fled away, and no place was found for
them.
12 And I saw the dead, great
and small, standing before the throne, and books were opened. Then another
book was opened, which is the book of life. And the dead were judged
by what was written in the books, according to what they had done.
13 And the sea gave up the
dead who were in it, Death and Hades gave up the dead who were in them,
and they were judged, each one of them, according to what they had
done.
14 Then Death and
Hades were thrown into the lake of fire. This is the second death,
the lake of fire.
15 And if anyone's name was
not found written in the book of life, he was thrown into the lake of
fire. English
Standard Version (ESV)
Are you struggling with a big decision or wondering
how your eternal future will play out?
Why not talk to the God of the universe and let Him
work in your behalf?
He says, “I
will instruct you and teach you the way you should go; I will counsel you with
my eye upon you" (Psalm 32:8).
Ask God to show you what to do. Pray the following
prayer:
“Heavenly
Father,
I
admit that I am a sinner and my sins have separated me from You. I now want to
turn away from my past sinful life and begin a new life with You.
Please
forgive me. I now receive your Son, Jesus Christ as my Savior, my Master and my
Lord. I believe and confess that Jesus Christ died for my sins, was buried, and
rose from the dead.
I
want to receive all that Jesus Christ has provided for me as my Savior. Your
Word says, ‘Whosoever shall call on the name of the Lord shall be saved’ (Romans 10:13).
I
believe and confess that Jesus Christ is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and
no man comes unto the Father, but by Him.
Lord
Jesus, I pray and ask You, to come into my heart and be Lord of my life. I
thank You that you have given me eternal life, and according to Your Word, I am
born again.
Heavenly
Father, thank You for the gift of the Holy Spirit that is in me now. I
surrender my life to You. . I promise to study Your Word – the Bible.
Use
me for Your glory.
In
Jesus Name. Amen.”
Related Posts:
lyrics
I sing praises to Your Name, O Lord
Praises to Your Name, O Lord
For Your Name is great
and greatly to be praised
Repeat
We give glory to Your Name, O Lord
Glory to Your Name, O Lord
For Your name is great
and greatly to be praised
We give worship to Your name, O Lord
Worship to Your name, O Lord
For Your name is great
and greatly to be praised
Repeat
Praises to Your Name, O Lord
For Your Name is great
and greatly to be praised
Repeat
We give glory to Your Name, O Lord
Glory to Your Name, O Lord
For Your name is great
and greatly to be praised
We give worship to Your name, O Lord
Worship to Your name, O Lord
For Your name is great
and greatly to be praised
Repeat
