"I honestly don't know."

This is thought provoking for sure and this is why I'm glad I am not the judge of peoples destiny. But it sure is a good example to us to be always prepared to 'meet thy Maker'. I also find it significant that the family survivor is now interested in what is happening to his murdered family. Perhaps it took something like this to wake him up. But I'll give my opinion anyway--right or wrong--lol--because all of this would be speculation anyway, not knowing the heart of those slain.

So, according to you Christians, my whole family is destined for final punishment, while the person who murdered them now has the promise of heaven?

The only part of this question that can be answered with any degree of certainty concerns the murderer..

Mt 12:31 Wherefore I say unto you, All manner of sin and blasphemy shall be forgiven
unto men: but the blasphemy against the Holy Ghost shall not be forgiven unto men.
And again..

Lu 23:43 And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day shalt thou be with me in paradise.

As we know, this was spoken to the thief on the cross, who after admitting of his guilt, asked for forgiveness and it was granted immediately!! OH what peace and joy we can glean from this story!!! It shows a Saviour who is more than anxious to forgive us and have a close fellowship with His fallen children.

So as far as to the eternal condition of the murderer, yes--he is forgiven and will live in paradise.

The question we have to wonder about the victims is this. How many times had the Holy Spirit pleaded with them to come to God for salvation? Knowing that NOTHING in this life happens without the consent of God, and knowing God's tremendous desire that NONE be lost, I KNOW that those victims had a chance to be saved. If they were not, it can only be laid at their own feet.

I have been through some very trying times in the past 7 years and just 2 weeks ago experienced the death of my father. I'm so very thankful that I had read a book suggested to me by my sister some months ago entitled, "On The Throne of the World', by Carlyle B. Haynes. The author stresses this very theme, that even though things may look bad, it is ALL in the hands of Him who knows best.

Ro 8:28 And we know that all things work together for good to them that love God, to them who are the called according to his purpose.

For instance, when Joseph was betrayed by his own brothers, the end result was the saving of the very ones who did the dirty deed, done dirt cheap by the way! Look what Joseph could say to his brothers after all that happened to him because of them..

Ge 50:20 But as for you, ye thought evil against me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.

So many times, when we think something very evil has happened, stand back, and see, that something bigger in God's plan is being worked out and be at peace with it. Someone once said that if you cannot understand the actions of God, then at least trust in His heart! How true.

Opp's, I thought I was in the D&D section. 1000 pardons.