Evangelist | Sound of Heaven
This is an interesting one. In my research into all the deep theological questions that get put into Google search engines, I came across a real surprise. Thousands of people a month wonder something I have never personally considered. Do short people go to heaven?
My first reaction was, “What you talking about Willis?”. See what I did there? All kidding aside, you are reading this because you’re wondering if short people can go to heaven. A concern about someone’s place in the afterlife isn’t to be taken lightly.
Truthfully, at 5′ 6″ on a good day and with the right shoes on, I also have a vested interest into whether the “vertically challenged” see the pearly gates.
In this article, we are not only going to answer the question “Do short people go to heaven?”, but we are also going to look into the Bible verses that have caused people to wonder.
Can short people go to heaven? I am happy to say Randy Newman had it very wrong in his song that rudely proclaims “short people got no reason to live.” Try again Randy, short people have good reason to live…forever.
The quick answer to “Can short people go to heaven?” is a resounding “yes!”.
Short people are loved by God just like every other person. They have the same opportunity to spend eternity in Heaven. If you had concerns about this relating to yourself or anyone else, I hope that this is a comfort for you.
Evangelist Jay D’Ambrosio dives into the question “Do short people go to Heaven”.
The confusion in those who think short people can’t go to heaven lies in a misinterpretation of Old Testament Scriptures. Like many misrepresentations, it stems from looking at verses out of context. We find a list of qualifications for Israel’s priesthood in Leviticus, Chapter 21.
God gave Moses strict criteria for priests and actually lists dwarfism among conditions or defects that ould prohibit them not from Heaven, but from serving in the full capacity of the priesthood.
16 The Lord said to Moses, 17 “Say to Aaron: ‘For the generations to come none of your descendants who has a defect may come near to offer the food of his God. 18 No man who has any defect may come near: no man who is blind or lame, disfigured or deformed; 19 no man with a crippled foot or hand, 20 or who is a hunchback or a dwarf, or who has any eye defect, or who has festering or running sores or damaged testicles.
Lev. 21:16-20
Yikes! At first glance, this passage of scripture may seem harsh. Why would God exclude people for defects?
It’s important to point out that these verses have nothing to do with salvation or access to heaven. They also do not doom anyone to a life where they are to be treated poorly in any way.
The limitations were only related to the part of the duties in the Levitical Priesthood. Men in the lineage of the Aaron (Levites) were the keepers of God’s Holy Temple. A Priest was required to handle God’s sacrifices.
The Old Covenant with God was a physical one. All dealings with God had to be as perfect as possible. Even the animals being sacrificed needed to be without blemish. The offering and the priests were a ceremonial reflection of God’s purity and holiness, therefore both had strict criteria.
As you can see here in Leviticus Chapter 22, there are very similar qualifications for the priest and the offering alike. In verses 17 – 22 we see a near-identical set of standards.
17 The Lord said to Moses, 18 “Speak to Aaron and his sons and to all the Israelites and say to them: ‘If any of you—whether an Israelite or a foreigner residing in Israel—presents a gift for a burnt offering to the Lord, either to fulfill a vow or as a freewill offering, 19 you must present a male without defect from the cattle, sheep or goats in order that it may be accepted on your behalf.
20 Do not bring anything with a defect, because it will not be accepted on your behalf. 21 When anyone brings from the herd or flock a fellowship offering to the Lord to fulfill a special vow or as a freewill offering, it must be without defect or blemish to be acceptable.
22 Do not offer to the Lord the blind, the injured or the maimed, or anything with warts or festering or running sores. Do not place any of these on the altar as a food offering presented to the Lord.
Lev 22:17-22
The defective animals were not fit for offering because the sacrifice was a foretelling of what was to come. The Old Testament is full of what are known as types and shadows that were precursors for the New Testament. For example, the animal sacrifice needed to be unblemished because Jesus would be the perfect sacrifice.
He is the Lamb of God. The priest was held to an equally high standard as a symbolization of the High Priest Jesus.
Absolutely not. Despite not partaking of the main priestly duties, those living with dwarfism or any of the other challenges were not rejected in housing, food, or other financial blessings. They loved God and participated with worship in nearly all other ways. They were fully recognized as part of God’s people.
If we fast forward to the New Testament, we find the perfect sacrifice of Jesus on the cross serving as the ultimate equalizer. God made His Will perfectly clear through Jesus. He engaged those that the world called defiled and defective. He healed their infirmities and never turned from them. The Pharisees ran from lepers, Jesus embraced them.
You may have gotten this far and read this last header and questioned, “Wait. What?” Earlier we covered the question “Can short people go to Heaven?” and the answer was “Yes!”.
But, “Do short people go to Heaven?” is actually a different question. Hear me out on this.
Height, health, appearance, or any other physical attribute can’t qualify or is disqualify you from eternal life. As a matter of fact, there is not a specific sin, mistake, or flaw that can keep you from Heaven.
The Bible says that all of us fall short (no pun intended) but we all have a way for redemption.
23 for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 and all are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 3:23
Do short people go to Heaven? It really depends on one belief. That belief is in Jesus.
Jesus was the perfect unblemished sacrifice because none of us could fill that role. Since we are ALL blemished in some way, none of us are worthy. But thank God, He made a way.
16 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because they have not believed in the name of God’s one and only Son. John 3:16-18
God’s not like us. He is not concerned with outward appearance. God looks at the heart.
The Lord does not look at the things people look at. People look at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart.”
1 Samuel 16:7
God loves us perfectly despite our imperfections. Other people are quick to count us out. We are quick to condemn ourselves.
Never let what you perceive as a personal flaw lead you to believe that you somehow are disconnected from God. Sometimes we are just being hard on ourselves. He loves you just like you are. He made you!
Other times we have real challenges and make mistakes. God is faithful to forgive us and our shortcomings are covered by the blood of Jesus.
It is natural to be concerned about where you will spend eternity. If you put your trust in God and learn about His promises, you can be far more confident.
Can short people go to heaven? Yes! Do short people go to Heaven? Thanks to Jesus… all the time!
At Sound of Heaven, we are here to help you on your journey. Here are other articles that you may find helpful.
The Kingdom of God is made up of all different kinds of people. If you are looking for a church experience where all are welcome, consider a visit to Sound of Heaven Church.
We are located in the heart of Long Island, NY.
Author of the article “Do short people go to heaven?” Pastor Jay Koch D’Ambrosio meets the Harlem Globetrotters at an event on Long Island.
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