Topical Studies :: Got Questions :: "Do pets / animals go to Heaven?

"Last Generation Forums" :: Bible Studies ::Topical Studies :: Got Questions :: "Do pets / animals go to Heaven?  Author Topic: "Do pets / animals go to Heaven? (Read 1 time) Michael James Stone Administrator Site-Administrator member isonline   Joined: May 2012 Gender: Male Posts: 954 "Do pets / animals go to Heaven? « Thread StartedToday at 9:12am »   Question: "Do pets / animals go to Heaven? Do pets / animals have souls?" Answer: The Bible does not give any explicit teaching on whether pets/animals have “souls” or whether pets/animals will be in heaven. However, we can use general biblical principles to develop some clarity on the subject. The Bible states that both man (Genesis 2:7) and animals (Genesis 1:30; 6:17; 7:15, 22) have the breath of life.  The primary difference between human beings and animals is that humanity is made in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27), while animals are not. Being made in the image and likeness of God means that human beings are like God, capable of spirituality, with mind, emotion, and will, and they have a part of their being that continues after death. If pets/animals do have a “soul” or immaterial aspect, it must therefore be of a different and lesser “quality.” This difference possibly means that pet/animal “souls” do not continue in existence after death. Another factor to consider is that animals are a part of God’s creative process in Genesis. God created the animals and said they were good (Genesis 1:25).  Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be animals on the new earth (Revelation 21:1). There will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom (Isaiah 11:6; 65:25). It is impossible to say definitively whether some of these animals might be the pets we had while here on earth.  We do know that God is just and that when we get to heaven we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever it may be. For further insights on this topiC: Do pets go to heaven? My wife and I have a German Shepherd dog. This is the second German Shepherd I have owned. I truly enjoy the unique personality that the breed possesses. As much as he can sometimes be a pain, and even though the dog food expense is hurting our budget, I absolutely love my dog. I think it would be wonderful to be able to see my two German Shepherds in heaven, and of course any subsequent pets I own in the future.  However, my ability to look forward to and long for heaven is not dependent on whether my pets will be there waiting for me. Ultimately, heaven is about God, not us. If God decides to resurrect our pets and allow us to spend time with them on the New Earth, fantastic. If God does not decide to do this, it will not make heaven any less enjoyable. Heaven will be perfect, and we will be perfectly satisfied with it, whether or not our pets are there. What does the Bible say about whether pets go to heaven? Genesis 1:25 indicates that animals are good. Revelation 21:1 indicates that heaven will be a recreation, a New Earth. Isaiah 11:6 and 65:25 describes living in harmony with humanity and one another, likely during the Millennial Kingdom, but some interpret the Isaiah passages as speaking of the New Earth. So, while the Bible does not explicitly state there will be animals on the New Earth, there is no reason given in the Bible for why there could not be animals on the New Earth. Whether some of these animals would be our pets brought back to life is another matter. It is important to distinguish between humanity and the animal kingdom. While both humanity and the animals had life breathed into them (Genesis 1:30; 2:7; 6:17; 7:15), only humanity is created in the image and likeness of God (Genesis 1:26-27).  Many believe part of being created in the image of God is the existence of immaterial life, i.e. a soul/spirit. It is possible that since animals are not created in the image of God, that they do not have immaterial life, and therefore there is nothing that continues after physical death.  However, again, as we see in Revelation 21, heaven will be, in part, a physical existence on a physical planet. So, there is nothing in the fact that only humanity is created in the image of God that would prevent God from bringing our pets back to life and placing them on the New Earth. The key point in all of this is that whatever God’s decision is on this issue, we will be perfectly happy with it.  The presence/absence of our pets in heaven will not matter to us once we arrive there. Again, I sincerely hope my German Shepherds will be there. It would be wonderful to never have to say “bad dog” and see those brown puppy dog eyes looking back at me with sadness. If they are not in heaven, though, I will still joyfully worship God for all of eternity!   Report to Mod - Link to Post - Back to Top  Logged

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