The Rapture – What About the Children? Is There Hope for Rebellious Friends and Family Members?

May 21, 2026 | www.gospelofjesuschrist.blog | River Wilde

Many people are coming to realize that the rapture will indeed happen soon. Seeing this, several questions begin to surface, as they begin to see the reality before them.

What about the children? Will they be included in the Rapture?

There is no Bible verse that explicitly states, “all children will be raptured.” Scripture does not directly address the question; however, we can know God’s plan through other aspects of His gospel.

Let’s begin by understanding the 7-Year Tribulation Period. What is God’s purpose of these final seven years upon the earth?

The seven-year Tribulation is God’s final period of judgment upon a world that has largely rejected Jesus Christ and His offer of salvation.

The Scriptures describe it as a time when God’s wrath is poured out upon sin, rebellion, and the kingdom of the Antichrist. The Tribulation also fulfills God’s prophetic dealings with Israel, corresponding to the final “week” of Daniel’s prophecy (Daniel 9:24–27, KJV), preparing the nation to recognize Jesus Christ as their true Messiah.

Remember, there has been a continual battle between God and Evil from the time of Adam and Eve. This “battle” will reach it climax during the Tribulation Period.

Now think of the children. Are these people whom God would see as “Those who need to be punished because they have rejected Jesus Christ and His salvation? OF COURSE NOT!

Jesus said, “Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven“ (Matthew 19:14, KJV). They also note that God does not hold people accountable in the same way until they are capable of understanding right and wrong.

God, who is perfectly loving, merciful, and just, will care for infants and young children according to His grace. While Scripture clearly teaches that believers in Christ will be caught up to meet the Lord (1 Thessalonians 4:16–17, KJV). For those who understand the mercy and fairness of God, it is a natural conclusion that children will be included in God’s rescue plan of the Rapture.

Is there an age “limit” or some indicator of what “children” will be included in the rapture? Scripture certainly doesn’t not teach anything regarding that specific question; however, I’d like to present something for you to consider…Especially if you are a parent.

There is a second purpose of the 7-year Tribulation Period. One that many people overlook, or even have no idea of its purpose.

The Tribulation is not only a time of judgment; it is also a time of extraordinary mercy. Even as judgments fall, God continues to call people to repentance through the preaching of the 144,000 sealed servants (missionaries) (Revelation 7:1–8, KJV), the two witnesses (Revelation 11:3–12, KJV), angelic proclamations (Revelation 14:6–7, KJV), and the testimony of believers who come to faith during that period.

Think for a moment of a rebellious, evil, young teenager who wants nothing to do with God. As a parent, you have done everything possible to bring your child to Christ, yet they still continue to stay on the path of destruction. We could assume that they would miss the rapture, because they have not yet come to Christ.

The Tribulation Period is God’s “Tough Love” program, to give them every chance to come to Christ through personal hardship and challenge.

Like many of us today, personal hardship has brought us to Jesus Christ. Challenge seems to humble us to the point of reaching out to God for help, as well as eventually accepting Jesus Christ into our life. It is the same plan that God will use in the Tribulation Period: To bring people to Christ.

It is very appropriate to say to that rebellious teenager that, “The rapture will soon take place, and if you are left behind, the BEST WAY to proceed is to pray that you will find these 144,000 missionaries who will teach you and show you what you need to do to join us in heaven.”

Then, trust God’s plan. Yes, it will be difficult for them at first. This is necessary to humble them so that they are teachable, and have a desire to come to Christ. Realize that as a parent.

Will people come to Christ during the Tribulation Period?

Revelation 7:9–14 (KJV), John writes:

“After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb…”

When John asks who these people are, he is told:

“These are they which came out of great tribulation, and have washed their robes, and made them white in the blood of the Lamb.”

This passage strongly suggests that millions upon millions of people from every nation will be saved during the Tribulation. Even amid severe judgments, persecution, and the rise of the Antichrist, God’s mercy will still be extended, and a vast number of people will trust Christ for salvation.

That sounds incredibly fair, and loving. Here is another comforting thought, as you have worries and compassion for those who will not be included in the rapture.

Those who come to Christ during the Tribulation Period will likely be spared some of the wrath that God will pour out onto the earth. We know this specifically from this scripture teaching Revelation 9:1-11 (KJV) The Fifth Trumpet Judgment

“And there came out of the smoke locusts upon the earth: and unto them was given power, as the scorpions of the earth have power.”
— Revelation 9:3 (KJV)

These are not ordinary locusts. They are commanded not to harm vegetation but to torment people:

“And it was commanded them that they should not hurt the grass of the earth, neither any green thing, neither any tree; but only those men which have not the seal of God in their foreheads.”
— Revelation 9:4 (KJV)

This directive from God is to spare those who have “Come to Christ” during the Tribulation Period from these 5 months of extreme torment by these “locus.” They will have the “Seal of God on their foreheads.” This is critical to understand.

When a person becomes Born Again, as taught in the New Testament, the Bible teaches that believers are sealed by the Holy Spirit at the moment of salvation:

“In whom ye also trusted, after that ye heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation: in whom also after that ye believed, ye were sealed with that holy Spirit of promise.”
— Ephesians 1:13 (KJV)

“And grieve not the holy Spirit of God, whereby ye are sealed unto the day of redemption.”
— Ephesians 4:30 (KJV)

So, it will be in the Tribulation Period. When a person comes to Christ and is Born Again, God will give them the “Seal of God” on their forehead. It will happen immediately. And, as we have learned from the scripture above that this “Seal of God” will protect them from at least One of the Trumpet Judgments, perhaps more… or even all of them.

Can you see something cleaver here? The antichrist is also, at the very same time, requiring that people get the “Mark of the Beast” on their forehead, symbolizing that they belong to the devil. He is mimicking God, who will seal His mark on the foreheads of His followers.

Leaving scripture for a moment, I’d like to share how I envision the tribulation period.

Immediately, the antichrist will rise to power, and begin his skillful deceptive influence in bringing people to him. He will seem to offer solutions to all of the world’s problems, and even perform miracles to influence people.

At the very beginning of this period, the 144,000 missionaries as well as the two prophets in Israel will be on the earth teaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ. These people will find others searching for answers early on, and will bring many people to Christ.

The hardships begin immediately when the 7-year Tribulation starts, though they intensify dramatically as the period progresses. Satan will make taking His mark Mandatory at the 3.5-year mark.

People will not be able to participate in ANY financial transaction without this mark. This is about the same time period that the 5^th Bowl Judgment will take place, and that God will protect those who have the “Seal of God” upon their foreheads.

Now, I’d like to talk very bold for a moment. This might be difficult to read at first, but I ask that you please understand the entire event, and not just the “death” part.

The False Prophet will cause those who refuse to worship the image of the beast to be put to death:

“And he had power to give life unto the image of the beast… and cause that as many as would not worship the image of the beast should be killed.”
— Revelation 13:15 (KJV)

Later, John sees those who remained faithful to Christ and refused the mark:

“And I saw the souls of them that were beheaded for the witness of Jesus, and for the word of God, and which had not worshipped the beast, neither his image, neither had received his mark upon their foreheads, or in their hands; and they lived and reigned with Christ a thousand years.”
— Revelation 20:4 (KJV)

These passages indicate that many, (not all) who reject the mark and remain loyal to Jesus will face persecution and martyrdom. However, Scripture also suggests that not every believer alive during the Tribulation is killed.

When Christ returns, there are still believers from the nations who enter His earthly kingdom (Matthew 25:31–34). Therefore, while many tribulation saints will be martyred, some faithful believers appear to survive until Christ’s return.

Let me discuss this topic from the very “worst” scenario. Let’s follow a person through this period of time who has accepted Jesus Christ as their Savior. He is now Born Again, and is faithful and loyal to Jesus Christ. He refuses to take any part in worshipping the beast, and boldly refuses the mark of the beast, even with the threat of death.

This person KNOWS that he will be with Christ in Heaven as a result of becoming Born Again. He knows that he will live forever in the presence of God. He knows that he has done what he needs to do to ensure his place in the most glorious place possible.

He also knows that if he avoids death and takes the mark, that he will live FOREVER in the Lake of Fire with satan, and will be tormented for eternity. Even though the antichrist will make false promises, if you take the mark, you will essentially lose your soul to the adversary.

If he refuses the mark of the beast, and is threatened with death…Death in this case is merely the turning of the page. It is an immediate end of suffering on this earth, as it will take you directly to the place where Jesus Christ is waiting for you.

In our minds, we have to see death in this case NOT as a sad event. It is different. Do you realize that all mankind will be either dead or changed at the end of this seven-year period?

A quick painless death actually removes you from any continuing suffering, as the things that God has planned for the earth will increase in intensity. It quite honestly could be seen as a rescue, not a hardship.

Right now, all of us do everything that we can to prevent death. Survival is actually part of our genetic makeup. But in the Tribulation Period, things change. We should do everything that we can to stay loyal to God, so that we can be with Him forever, regardless of any immediate consequences.

So, let’s back up for a moment. Obviously, the most important thing that we can all do RIGHT Now is to be “in Christ” or “Born Again” as it teaches in the New Testament. This is our ticket to be included in the rapture. This is how we will get into heaven, and live with Jesus Christ forever.

And for the stubborn who refuse Christ right now, there is still a plan for God to humble them in hopes that they will finally see the importance of Jesus Christ into their life. It is NOT up to us to save everyone, for God already has a plan. It comes down to the heart of each person, and they must decide which place they want to spend eternity in.

Each day that I study the end times, I am so very grateful for the compassion of our God. We are NOT all on the same page when it comes to our relationship with Jesus Christ, and God does not just have one plan in dealing with that.

He will rescue ALL who belong to Him through the rapture. He will then implement a different plan for those left behind, still with the same compassion and love, but by adding additional tools to help humble their hearts, in hopes that they too will come to Christ.

God want all of His children to live with Him in Heaven. However, free agency is also granted through this decision.

This is such an exciting time to be on the earth right now. I often wished that I could be part of the 144,000 missionaries that will be on the earth during the Tribulation Period. Can you imagine, being on the “Battle Field” searching for, and bringing people to Christ? What a thrilling time that would be…If only I knew where to apply. =)

As always, I ask that you take this information to God for verification of its truthfulness, as well as to seek inspiration that you can receive regarding the things that you can do in assisting others in this spiritual journey.

I’ll see many of you very soon. I’m excited to hear all about your experience here upon earth, as we all take a look around in our new home.