Animals and Soul

[Dad Ernie]

Greetings All,

Now I know what the scriptures say, but I MUST ADD this observation.

It seems many people are very concerned about what happens to their pets when they die. According to the Eccl. verse I quoted, it might seem that there are NO animals in heaven. Well at this point in time, I just can't be dogmatic about that. What pulled the chariot which took Elijah to be with the Father? What about all those horses in Revelation? What about the Lion laying down with the Lamb? Or a child putting its hand in an Adder's hole?

Now on this earth we also find a "spiritual" kinship (friendship - love) that exists between humans and animals. Some people claim to be able to communicate and understand the "thinking" of animals, i.e. the Horse Whisperer, and there are those (animal psychics?) who sell their services to breeders or animal owners who need to figure out what kind of problem(s) their pet has. These are not all as phony as some may think.

Mind you, I must stand by the scriptures, but there are indeed more things in heaven and on earth than what our feeble minds are capable of understanding.

Blessings,

Dad Ernie

[godrulz]

I would not be surprised that there are many creatures/animals in heaven. I do not believe they are living now or our pets. Many would likely differ from earth animals. The lion and lamb in the millennium (earthly paradise) might have continuity with earth animals.

I believe C.S. Lewis speculated that animals go to heaven (I disagree). It would be very crowded, and take away from the uniqueness of man and his spirit.

Much of Ecclesiastes is written from man's perspective 'under the sun' and not from God's perspective (until the end of the book). In context, many verses cannot be used to formulate doctrine. It shows the despair of man apart from God and the need to remember the Creator in the days of our youth.

[Guest Boron]

Men were created in the likeness of God, that is with an eternal existence.  This accounts for the reason why people live this life as though they are going to be here for ever (without giving thought about their impending death).  I do not know if animals will inhabit the New Heaven and the New Earth. (Rev.21:3-8). However in John 6:39-40, there is an interesting quote from our Lord Himself.  Please note in vs 40,  ".......and believes in Him may have eternal life; and I Myself will raise HIM up on the last day."  Compare this with vs 39;  "......of all that He has given Me I lose nothing but will raise IT up on the last day." (NASB).   As for the meaning of "Soul", I believe that it is our conscious self, aside from the body. (Luke 16:22-24).