This is probably going to be my most controversial post to date, yet also my most benign. This subject typically doesn't ruffle feathers, so even if you disagree with my conclusions, you probably won't be angry about it. I am going to attempt to answer the question, do animals go to heaven? Will we see our pets again? I'll say up front that I'm going to stick with the Bible, and since the Bible doesn't give a simple, definitive answer about this, I'm not going to "prove" beyond all doubt, but I am going to build a case, and give some things to consider on this subject.
 |
| I didn't have a high-quality photograph to upload and share of my childhood dog, but this looks almost exactly like our yellow lab April, who died when I was 25. |
When I was eleven years old, we got a puppy. Since it was the month of April, we named her April (she was six weeks old, probably born in late February, but we named her April anyway). She was a sweet yellow lab, very affectionate and playful. The neighbor kids loved to come over and play with her. As I struggled through my teen years, I would go out and tell April my problems, often laughing or crying as I petted her. Even though she was an animal, not created in the image of God the way humans are, I felt a connection with another living thing. It was cathartic to have that dog in my life. When I went away to camp, I always missed April the most (my parents wrote me letters, April didn't!). When I moved out on my own, my parents kept April. She lived until I was 25. The day before she was put down, my parents had me over to spend time with her (she was very sick). I cried and cried after she was dead. I wanted very much to know she was in Heaven, that I would see her again. That when I arrived in Heaven, she would run up and jump on me the way she had in life (I'm getting weepy just writing this! Don't worry, it gets happier from here!).
Anyone who has ever loved a pet has felt this way, I think. I wouldn't own another pet for years. I just couldn't handle losing it, not knowing if it was goodbye forever. I still don't like movies with animals who die (such as Where the Red Fern Grows or Old Yeller). My husband inherited a cat from a relative a few years ago, though, so now, we have a pet. Our cat Tiger (whom we affectionately call Animal, after the Muppet character) is an addition to our family, and we love him. He's a sweet cat, and loves to be petted. I want him in Heaven too, with us and hopefully with April. Also, please note that when I say Heaven, I am talking about our afterlife eternity as believers. This includes both our immediate Heaven after death, where we'll be with the Lord and other believers, and the eventual new Earth, where we will be with Christ forever. I'm lumping eternity together under the banner of Heaven, and am not distinguishing between all of that in this post.
 |
| Our kitty, Tiger (AKA Animal). Isn't he cute? |
Let's look at what the Bible says about animals. Genesis 1 tells us that animals were created by God on the sixth day of creation. They were not made in His image, the way people were (Genesis 1:27). Genesis 2 says that the first man, Adam, named the animals. They were meant as companions for him, but they didn't fill the void another human could fill. That was when God created Eve for Adam, and that is another story. Let's review: animals were created by God, are under people's dominion, company for people, but not the same way other humans are.
The Bible talks about animals in eternity. Isaiah 65:25 says, the wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like an ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain, says the Lord We are shown that there will be animals in eternity from this and many other passages. This begs the question, will they be the same animals as the ones we know?
Job 12:7-10 gives some insight into the way God uses the animals: But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind. The animals are object lessons for us to see God at work. They serve that purpose. They also praise the Lord. Psalm 150:6 says, Let everything that has breath praise the Lord. If this passage were only speaking of people, it would have said let everyone that has breath praise the Lord, but it says thing. The animals praise God. They're being used by Him. This is important to consider.
When God sent the rainbow, promising to never again destroy the earth with a flood, he specifically said, Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. (Genesis 9:9-10). God made His promise to people first and foremost, but also to the animals. Also worthy of consideration.
We know that creation was brought down by man's sin. Humans are accountable for that. Romans 5:12 says, Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world, and death by sin; and so death passed upon all men, for that all have sinned. Animals are not in God's image. They are not as smart as humans. They don't have the ability to think through decisions. They are subject to instinct. They can be trained, but they are not in the same category as humans, and it wouldn't appear from scripture that they are held accountable or considered sinful. What is sad for the animals, they are subject to death because of man's sin. So are the plants, and so are people. Romans 8:19-22 tell us, For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. We humans subjected creation--including the animals--to this fallen world and all that goes with it. This passage also tells us that creation will be redeemed. In Revelation 21:5, Jesus says, Behold, I am making all things new. Could this mean that our animals will experience redemption beyond this life?
It is clear that, whether or not animals go to Heaven, they don't go to hell. The Bible talks about hell as a place set aside for Satan and his demons, and, sadly, for those who reject Jesus and die in their sins (Revelation 20:7-15). Not even the slightest implication that animals will go there.
In conclusion, I ask again, will we see our animals with the Lord one day? I'd like to believe so. These passages give a lot of encouragement toward this possibility. Animals were intentionally created by God, to serve His purposes. God continually talks about redemption and restoration throughout scripture. We know what God has for us is beyond our ability to fathom. First Corinthians 2:9 gives a promise that I believe applies both to God's plan for us on earth, but also to our eternity. No eye has seen, no ear has heard, and no mind has imagined what God has prepared for those who love him.
No comments:
Post a Comment