Will Our Beloved Pets be with Us in Heaven?

[Spirit_Tracker]

Will our beloved pets be with us in heaven?

Randy Alcorn, who wrote a book called “Heaven” believes that animals will be present in Heaven. C. S. Lewis, and hundreds of others; the list of pastors, theologians, and true Christians are numerous. Many believe this to be true.

Youtube Randy Alcorn about Pets being with us.

What does the bible say about animals? Does God care less about animals as some people do? Or is God's heart more like those who love and care about animals?

Why did God create animals in the first place? Why not just skip that part, and create all edible plants that would be suffice for our diet? Were animals in the garden meant to die or were they meant to be eaten? Or even meant to suffer? NO! They were created, like us, to be eternal... Because of the fall of man, ALL creation was caused to suffer... mankind and animals alike!

This is not a modern day question;

Solomon pondered and said in Ecclesiastes 3:18-21: “As for humans, God tests them so that they may see that they are like the animals. Surely the fate of human beings is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ( or literally “spirit“);

humans have no advantage over animals. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust, and to dust all return. Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?”

But does God care about animals?

Genesis 9:9-10 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth.”

Genesis 9:16; “Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.”

Why would God include animals in His covenant? WOW, God loves His created ANIMALS! So much that He made the same covenant with them as He did man. Isn't it safe to say that God loves animals? Now granted, it is VERY clear that mankind's value is much greater than other creations but that doesn't mean that animals don't have any value at all... because they do have an earthly and heavenly value;

(Mat 10:29 NASB) "Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And (Mat 10:31 NASB) "So do not fear; you are more valuable than many sparrows."

He didn't say "You have value and they do not" but rather He said that we are more valuable than animals... they have value both on earth and in heaven, as written in;

Hosea 2:18 “In that day I will make a covenant for them with the beasts of the field, the birds in the sky and the creatures that move along the ground. Bow and sword and battle will abolish from the land, so that all may lie down in safety.” ALL…

And this covenant was made... it has been established. Animals will not fear death because they will be imperishable, as they were in the beginning.

And again,

Isaiah 11:6-9 reads, “And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, And the leopard will lie down with the young goat, And the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; And a little boy will lead them. Also the cow and the bear will graze, Their young will lie down together, And the lion will eat straw like the ox. The nursing child will play by the hole of the cobra, And the weaned child will put his hand on the viper's den. They will not hurt or destroy in all My holy mountain, For the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD As the waters cover the sea.”

Obviously this isn’t a picture of this old earth! Impossible! This is a description of a new earth and new HEAVEN! Isn’t that a WONDEFUL image? It will be GLORIOUS! “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth; for the first heaven and the first earth passed away,…”(Rev 21:1 NASB)

God didn't create animals as meat, originally, for mankind nor as just some chunk of expendable flesh... Unfortunately, after the fall of man, they were transitioned into an earthly value… but He does have a heavenly value in them as well... and He knows every one of them individually as their Creator. He originally designed/created them to be imperishable, eternal. And in the end, they will be that again!

1Co 15:35-42 (NASB) But someone will say, "How are the dead raised? And with what kind of body do they come?" You fool! That which you sow does not come to life unless it dies; and that which you sow, you do not sow the body which is to be, but a bare grain, perhaps of wheat or of something else. But God gives it a body just as He wished, and to each of the seeds a body of its own. All flesh is not the same flesh, but there is one flesh of men, and another flesh of beasts, and another flesh of birds, and another of fish. There are also heavenly bodies and earthly bodies, but the glory of the heavenly is one, and the glory of the earthly is another. There is one glory of the sun, and another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars; for star differs from star in glory. So also is the resurrection of the dead. It is sown a perishable body, it is raised an imperishable body;

WOW again, this sounds like all qualifying creation will be raised in an imperishable body. God's children, through Christ... but animals can't obtain eternal life through Christ, because they don’t have the soul of man, but it does obtain eternal life through God's covenant, as mention and written in Hosea 2 (See above scripture). All creatures great and small, past and future, damned and saved, will say in; Rev 5:13 (NASB) And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."

ALL created things in heaven and on earth… No created thing left out, ALL… past, present and future… ALL.

So the question remains, does this include our beloved pets? I believe that our beloved pets are included in "every created thing which is in heaven and on earth, and all things in them". Why would every created thing, God's people, the unsaved, heavily beings, and animals alike, be included but not our beloved pets? Why would they be specifically excluded? Absurd! Unfortunately, although the unsaved will acknowledge and say these things, they will not enjoy the reward of eternal life with God. But because of God’s covenant with His created creatures, they will not perish or suffer after this Glorious acknowledgment of Christ’s Sovereignty, but rather be possibly put on the new earth. I mean think about it, will these created things that had died and turn to dust be raised up temporarily to acknowledge Christ Sovereignty, and then return to dust once again? That’s not what I read and believe.

I have a little notebook that I have kept for over 10 years... and in it I write down all animals that I have either owned, or have known, in it. Each one according to it's name. This notebook, although written on earth, is part of my treasures that I store in heaven. Now of course I have more valuable treasures, family, brothers and sisters in Christ value, that I store in Heaven, but God willing, I will hold this notebook in my hands upon reaching the pearly gates, and declare the names written in it as part of my valued treasures. And I will once again be able to enjoy their love and companionship. This is what I believe and hold to, unwavering.

An Illustration for those who still don’t get it; Imagine if were a sculptor… and you loved to form and create things. One day you created a creature of some sort, it had four legs, eyes and a mouth. Once finished with it, you sat back and stared at it… and you saw that it was well done… and you began thinking of a little unique personality for it, an organic living program. Oh… you say, it would eat berries, run in the field, it will adapt to its environment, socialize with your other creations, learning to its limited ability. It won’t know right from wrong, and it won’t know corruption. It will however be lovable and, in its simplistic way, will be capable of giving affection. After thinking a while, you wanted it to be eternal like you… and after imagining every aspect of this art piece, you raise your hand to your mouth and you breathe into its mouth and behold what was not, is now alive. It is the product of your creation and you are happy with it.

Now I don’t expect anyone to fully understand or relate to this… because you have never experienced this. You don’t have the ability to create living creatures. You don’t have the ability breathe life into anything… but if you were able to, could you imagine the bond between you and that creation?

Edited February 19, 2013 by Spirit_Tracker

[missmuffet]

This is a good Biblical explaination.

http://www.compellingtruth.org/do-pets-go-to-heaven.html

[Spirit_Tracker]

Right but I believe that if we have a living relationship with God, He can reveal Truths to us that may not be covered in the bible... His Word is alive... His Holy Spirit is alive... and in us. Because I have real relationship with God, what He can teach us is not limited to something you have to find in the bible. Look at Paul, he didn't have a script to read from... He allowed himself to be used by the Holy Spirit... I have prayed a long time for God to reveal this mystery to me... I believe He has.

[missmuffet]

Right but I believe that if we have a living relationship with God, He can reveal Truths to us that may not be covered in the bible... His Word is alive... His Holy Spirit is alive... and in us. Because I have real relationship with God, what He can teach us is not limited to something you have to find in the bible. Look at Paul, he didn't have a script to read from... He allowed himself to be used by the Holy Spirit... I have prayed a long time for God to reveal this mystery to me... I believe He has.

Hu??

[Spirit_Tracker]

Right but I believe that if we have a living relationship with God, He can reveal Truths to us that may not be covered in the bible... His Word is alive... His Holy Spirit is alive... and in us. Because I have real relationship with God, what He can teach us is not limited to something you have to find in the bible. Look at Paul, he didn't have a script to read from... He allowed himself to be used by the Holy Spirit... I have prayed a long time for God to reveal this mystery to me... I believe He has.

Hu??

Sorry, tired and getting over a bad cold. I'll try to elaborate. What I am saying is that the common response to "will pets be in heaven with us" by most people is that the scripture doesn't support it either way. However, it's interesting that when Christians pray to God and ask for direction in their life, often times they will get an answer from God... a specific answer as to what God is telling them to do. So is it possible to pray and ask God a question such as "will my pet(s) be with me in heaven" and receive an answer from Him? Just because something isn't in the bible doesn't mean God isn't willing to answer if we ask. That's what I mean by having a living relationship with Him through Christ. It doesn't stop nor is it limited to that which is only contained in scripture. Granted, It can not contradict scripture either. One might say, well it's dangerous to believe in something that's not in the bible... hmm, really? Have you ever prayed and asked God to reveal something to you that He answered? Was His answer in the bible? Sometimes, but somtimes you won't find it in the bible... For instance someone might say "I prayed to God and asked if He wanted me to go Bible College, and He revealed to me that He did want me to go" would we doubt what God as revealed to them? Afterall, it doesn't saying anything about bible college in the bible. Why wouldn't it be possible to ask God such matters about our Pets and receive an answer?

Edited February 19, 2013 by Spirit_Tracker

[missmuffet]

Right but I believe that if we have a living relationship with God, He can reveal Truths to us that may not be covered in the bible... His Word is alive... His Holy Spirit is alive... and in us. Because I have real relationship with God, what He can teach us is not limited to something you have to find in the bible. Look at Paul, he didn't have a script to read from... He allowed himself to be used by the Holy Spirit... I have prayed a long time for God to reveal this mystery to me... I believe He has.

Hu??

Sorry, tired and getting over a bad cold. I'll try to elaborate. What I am saying is that the common response to "will pets be in heaven with us" by most people is that the scripture doesn't support it either way. However, it's interesting that when Christians pray to God and ask for direction in their life, often times they will get an answer from God... a specific answer as to what God is telling them to do. So is it possible to pray and ask God a question such as "will my pet(s) be with me in heaven" and receive an answer from Him? Just because something isn't in the bible doesn't mean God isn't willing to answer if we ask. That's what I mean by having a living relationship with Him through Christ. It doesn't stop nor is it limited to that which is only contained in scripture. Granted, It can not contradict scripture either. One might say, well it's dangerous to believe in something that's not in the bible... hmm, really? Have you ever prayed and asked God to reveal something to you that He answered? Was His answer in the bible? Sometimes, but somtimes you won't find it in the bible... For instance someone might say "I prayed to God and asked if He wanted me to go Bible College, and reveal to me that He did want to go" would we doubt what God as revealed to them? Afterall, it doesn't saying anything about bible college in the bible. Why wouldn't it be possible to ask God such matters about our Pets and receive an answer?

I guess we will just have to wait and see when we get there.

[Spirit_Tracker]

Perhaps you might, but I already prayed and asked God, and He answered. He loves our pets greater than we do... Because His love is superior. He formed their little personalities... gave them the ability to give and receive affection, though limited. He knows them each individually... He has a covenant with them.

[Spirit_Tracker]

I can tell you of a certainty there are animals in heaven, because the Bible mentions horses. The question you are asking about pets isn't addressed in scripture, but I don't see why they wouldn't be there? I have had many pets over the years, both dogs and cats, and I would like to think they are in heaven? I hope to see them again someday. Even so, nobody can tell you the answer to that with any absolute certainty.

Well God can answer it absolutely though. I've been a Christian for 35 years... I've learned that for many things is best to take certain questions to God. If you pray and ask God, He can answer you too... or anyone for that matter. It's okay to ask that isn't it?

[missmuffet]

I can tell you of a certainty there are animals in heaven, because the Bible mentions horses. The question you are asking about pets isn't addressed in scripture, but I don't see why they wouldn't be there? I have had many pets over the years, both dogs and cats, and I would like to think they are in heaven? I hope to see them again someday. Even so, nobody can tell you the answer to that with any absolute certainty.

Well God can answer it absolutely though. I've been a Christian for 35 years... I've learned that for many things is best to take certain questions to God. If you pray and ask God, He can answer you too... or anyone for that matter. It's okay to ask that isn't it?

It is ok to ask God anything.

[Fez]

The bible does not say, and there are things God did not tell us, mainly because we don't need to know.