Abortion as practiced today did not exist during biblical times and is not specifically spoken of in the Bible. Thus we must look at what the Bible shares regarding children in the womb and God's view of them.
First, the Bible is clear that all people are made in God's image: "So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them" (Genesis 1:27). This includes the youngest child from the point of conception: "For you formed my inward parts; you knitted me together in my mother's womb" (Psalm 139:13).
Second, the Bible suggests that those who die before they have the ability to place faith in the Lord will be with God in heaven. This concept comes from the story of the death of David's newborn son. After the baby died, David said: "But now he is dead. Why should I fast? Can I bring him back again? I shall go to him, but he will not return to me" (2 Samuel 12:23).
David expected to see his son again someday. Where? The only options are the grave (a general reference to death) or with the Lord in heaven. Of these two options, the one that would give a grieving father comfort would be the understanding of seeing his son in heaven again. David clearly expected to see his son one day in the presence of the Lord.
But does this indicate that all souls of infants and aborted babies go to heaven? Jesus certainly made clear His love of children: "Let the little children come to me and do not hinder them, for to such belongs the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 19:14; also Mark 10:14; Luke 18:16). Though not certain from this passage, the love of Christ, as well as His death for sin on the cross, offers arguments for an understanding that God takes the souls of all young children, including aborted babies, to be with Him in heaven.
Jeremiah 1:5 also provides insight, sharing about Jeremiah, "Before I formed you in the womb I knew you, and before you were born I consecrated you; I appointed you a prophet to the nations." Jeremiah was known by God before being formed in the womb and had been set apart by God. God already had a plan prepared for him before Jeremiah's birth. The same certainly applies even of those who die in the womb. God knows the child and has a plan for that child. He clearly has a purpose in the creation of each child.
While not direct in its answer, Scripture's principles indicate God's great love for those who die in the womb and give credence to the belief that God takes the souls of aborted children to heaven with Him.
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