Do Animals Have Souls?

[Bold Believer]

"The rest of the dead" in Revelation 20 certainly doesn't simply include humans.

Actually the context precludes anyone but humans. Verse 5 contains the phrase "the rest of the dead." Verse 13 defines the "rest of the dead" as humans who will stand before the Great White Throne and be judged. The entire context is limited to human beings who will stand before God to give an account of their lives.

Since all of the creation has been affected by sin, it makes sense that animals as well as humans would be returned to life (anazoe, reanimated).

No it doesn't. Animals are never attributed to as sinful. The Bible does not include animals in the atonement of Christ on the cross. The gospel is never commanded to be preached to animals. Animals are not included in Christ's command to make disciples of all nations. Animals are never included as fallen members of Adam's race and are never referred to as having any part in receiving redemption.

Furthermore, the Bible never claims that animals that have died will be reanimated/returned to life when sin is eradicated. You are penciling that into the Scripture.

The only ones who get resurrection (anastasias) are Believers.

To be returned to life IS resurrection. If one is dead, to bring be brought back to life is a resurrection. One does not have to be buried to be resurrected.

Acts 3:21 clearly states that Christ is to be held in heaven until the time of the apokatastasis or return to the pre-fall state of things.

Jesus is the agent of that return to the pre-fall state. The text is not saying that Jesus will remain in heaven until the change is made but that Jesus will remain in heaven until it is time for the restoration to take place. Jesus' return is the catalyst for the final and full restoration of the world. In actuality, what we see in Revelation is not only restoration to the pre-fall state but actually something better than even what existed before the fall.

No, to be returned to life is NOT resurrection. It's anazao, or reanimation. Lazarus was returned to life, but not resurrected. The resurrection involves a CHANGING, a translation if you will, into something better. Paul's teaching on that is very plain, see I Cor 15:44. The godless do not merit that change, they rejected Christ, and therefore are merely brought back to life to face judgment. They are as Scripture tells us, twice dead. Their return to life is quite short lived, when they are thrown into the lake of fire, their body and soul is destroyed (hence Jesus' statement in the Gospels "fear Him who can destroy both body and soul in hellfire") and their spirit is tormented in hellfire forever.

Even if Rev 20's passage does not include lesser creation, there is no precedent for them to remain dead. That is creation in vain and God didn't do that. All things have purpose, animals included. All things are being restored at the parousia, as Christ is as you correctly put it, the agent of the restoration.

Also, to be affected by sin is not the same as being sinful. The earth is not sinful, but it is affected by the presence of sin. Scripture calls this effect on creation 'corruption'. Before the fall, there were no carnivores. After the fall, obviously there are.

I totally agree with your understanding of Acts 3:21. The NASB has a better translation, saying that Christ is held in heaven until the time of the restoration of all things (i.e.: the Parousia)

In Genesis, the phrase living creature in Genesis 1 and living soul in Genesis 2 are the SAME: chay nephesh. So then, again, reason here dictates that man and animals are alike in that regard, both are living souls (creatures) and of the earth which incurred a curse which requires redemption. While man sins, animals do not consciously sin, obviously they DO 'wrong' but don't have a clue that they are doing so because unlike us, they are creatures of base instinct and the presence of sin in the cosmos changed those instincts.

Shiloh, I disagree with your statement that animals cease to exist. I DO believe that their souls go into the ground and sleep until the Parousia. I don't believe in creation in vain. Animals and all creatures were blessed in Genesis 1 and all indications are that had sin not entered into the world, they would have remained as Adam did, because there would have been no death.

[nikki1]

Blessings, wyguy

My vet is a Christian and she has a beautiful painting portraying a depiction of heaven with with our beloved pets who have gone beyond in one of the exam rooms that shows two hands reaching out to the animals running up to the hands. There are those who say that because animals do not have a soul, or the Bible doesn't really address this, our pets won't be in heaven. I have heard this over and over again. But animals cannot choose between good and evil like we humans can, were not born in sin as we are, and they have never fallen like us, so they are not in need of a redeemer or saviour as we humans are. They have never became like gods.

I can't imagine being in heaven without my Miss Luci and Sammie, Buster and Daisy, who have taught me so much about God's unconditional love, patience, compassion, companionship, mercy, faithfulness and understanding better than most humans ever could.

Yes, I think my Miss Luci and Sammie, Buster and Daisy will be in heaven because I think what it boils down to is our understanding of God and His love for His creation.

Blessings,

Nikki

I'd love to get a copy of that painting!

The next time I visit my vet, I will snap a picture of it and p.m. it to you

But animals cannot choose between good and evil like we humans can, were not born in sin as we are, and they have never fallen like us, so they are not in need of a redeemer or saviour as we humans are.

I'm not so sure. The Bible makes it pretty clear that all creation was cursed. (Romans 8:19-22, Genesis 3:17).

Yeah, the scripture in Romans came to mind after I posted my thoughts above.

Romans 8:20-22 (King James Version)

20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected the same in hope,

21Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God.

22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

The scripture from Romans does not say all of creation is cursed to be exact,

and I am not sure it is referring to animals as the commentary I read refers to humans only, though animals definitely have feelings and sad and happy emotions, become sick and old and die like humans. And I don't see where Genesis 3:17 is referring to animals as being cursed either. It says "Cursed is the ground for thy sake," but makes no mention of animals.

Blessings,

Nikki

v22 seems to indicate that they were, indeed, cursed as well:

"...the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now."

If they weren't cursed, there would have been no reason for God to turn them from plant eaters to meat eaters, and thus having them kill each other for food.

Hi wyguy:

Going back and reading Genesiis 3, when Adam and Eve disobeyed God and ate of the tree God told them not to, it was only the serpent and the ground that was cursed by God:

And the Lord God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life." vs. 14

Unto the woman, he said, "I will greatly multiply thy sorrow and thy conception; in sorrow thou shalt bring forth children; and thy desire shall be to thy husband, and he shall rule over thee." vs. 16

And unto Adam he said, "Because thou hast hearkened unto the voice of thy wife, and hast eaten of the tree, of which I commanded thee, saying, Thou shalt not eat of it: cursed is the ground for thy sake, in sorrow shalt thou eat of it all the days of thy life.....vs. vs. 17

To the serpent, the Lord God said: And I will put enmity between thee and the woman, and between thy seed and her seed; it shall bruise thy head, and thou shalt bruise his heel. vs. 15

Which is Christ.

As far as I can see from Scripture, only the serpent and the ground was cursed and Adam, Eve and the rest of creation were not, although the rest of creation inherited the consequences of the fall of Adam and Eve such as sickness, disease, pain, sorrow, and death.

Romans 8

22For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.

The Scripture from Genesis 3 quoted above tells us why the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together.

It is through the second Adam, Christ, that those who believe upon him will be redeemed and I believe the animals we knew on this earth will have a share in the new earth when Christ returns as they are a part of His creation.

Blessings,

Nikki

Hiya Nikki

Very interesting post. But I believe one of the scriptures you posted tells the story.

And the Lord God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field

There would have been no logical reason to even mention the cattle or every other beast of the field when God was pronouncing the curse if they weren't, even to a lessor degree, included in the curse. God could have simply said, "You are cursed!" The serpent received the greater measure of the curse, "above" all cattle, and "above" every beast of the field, but I think it's obvious the rest of creation was also cursed for Adam's sin.

Remember, death was, and is, one of main punishments for Adam's sin, and animals were certainly included in that punishment through their own deaths. And not only that, but the pain and suffering that comes with separation from God.

Blessings !

OK I see what you are saying and that makes sense to me.

Here is something else to ponder on....

And the Lord God said unto the serpent, "Because thou hast done this, thou art cursed above all cattle, and above every beast of the field: upon thy belly shalt thou go, and dust shalt thou eat all the days of thy life." vs. 14

God holds the serpent solely responsible for his own actions according to vs. 14. God said Because thou hast done this

This is a strong Biblical indication that the serpent as well as other animals do indeed have the ability to choose between good and evil. The inclusion of other animals from vs. 14 is Biblical evidence because of the fact God includes the serpent among the other beasts of the field. Just because the serpent was more crafty, doesn't mean that he is a different kind of a being. This also makes a strong Biblical case for evidence that animals do indeed have a spirit and a soul just as humans do. Even though many won't admit it.

Nikki

[nebula]

Animals do not have a spirit that lives on, at least there is no indication in the Bible of that.

But if the Bible is silent on the issue, how can you state for sure that they do not?

[Bold Believer]

If Adam had not fallen into sin, then all of the animals from creation would still be living, since death would not have entered into the world. This speaks for their continued existence, not against it. The presence of sin in the cosmos changed the habits of animals, causing fear where their was none before, and also causing some animals to become carnivorous, so they were definitely affected by sin, just not the same way as men,

[spiritman]

Fresno Joe; " Horses Too?"

And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him was called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

His eyes were as a flame of fire, and on his head were many crowns; and he had a name written, that no man knew, but he himself.

And he was clothed with a vesture dipped in blood: and his name is called The Word of God.

And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.

I'm with Fresno on this one

[spiritman]

When an animal dies, it simply loses consciousness. It ceases to be. Animals have biological life and a mind/will, or as we call it, a "soul." The soul of an animal ceases to be at death. Animals do not have a spirit that lives on, at least there is no indication in the Bible of that.

I don't know; when I watch our dogs play, and the expressions and responses they have; I can't help but feeling they have a soul.

[JIME]

I believe that our pets will be in heaven because of these scriptures:

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21

19 For people and animals share the same fate both breathe and both must die. So people have no real advantage over the animals. How meaningless! 20 Both go to the same place they came from dust and they return to dust. 21 For who can prove that the human spirit goes up and the spirit of animals goes down into the earth?

Romans 8:19-22

19 For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when God will reveal who his children really are. 20 Against its will, all creation was subjected to God's curse. But with eager hope, 21 the creation looks forward to the day when it will join God's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. 22 For we know that all creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time.

Revelation 5:13

13 And then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea. They sang:

"Blessing and honor and glory and power

belong to the one sitting on the throne

and to the Lamb forever and ever."

I am waiting for that Day!!!!

[wyguy]

Blessings to you as well!

Good post, but this part I'm not so sure about:

This is a strong Biblical indication that the serpent as well as other animals do indeed have the ability to choose between good and evil.

I'm not sure that the serpent from the garden and the snakes we have today are the same thing. I'm leaning toward it being a unique creature that no longer exists. But, that's pure speculation on my part. I would like to say that animals survive on instinct, and do not have the ability to choose between good and evil. Where some pets know something may be wrong through conditioning by humans (such as a dog knowing it's "wrong" to pee on the carpet) it's not the same as them having a sense of good and evil.

[Guest shiloh357]

I'd like to change the question a little?

What is the "life" of an animal?

And what happens to that "life" when the animal's body dies?

When an animal dies, it simply loses consciousness. It ceases to be. Animals have biological life and a mind/will, or as we call it, a "soul." The soul of an animal ceases to be at death. Animals do not have a spirit that lives on, at least there is no indication in the Bible of that.

Blessings, Shiloh357

I have a question. Is there any basis for your opinion mentioned in the Bible?

Nikki

Animals are never represented as spiritual creatures in the sense that they can relate to God, spiritually. They are not created in God's image and are not the object of Christ's work on the cross. I believe that the animal kingdom will revert back to its pre-fall state after the eradication of sin, but that is incidental to man's full and final redemption. I do not believe that the final restoration includes God bringing all animals that have died from the very beginning of creation, back to life.

[Guest shiloh357]

When an animal dies, it simply loses consciousness. It ceases to be. Animals have biological life and a mind/will, or as we call it, a "soul." The soul of an animal ceases to be at death. Animals do not have a spirit that lives on, at least there is no indication in the Bible of that.

I don't know; when I watch our dogs play, and the expressions and responses they have; I can't help but feeling they have a soul.

The issue is whether or not they have spirit, or in this case an eternal spirit that lives on forever in eternity.