Pets in heaven

[godrulz]

I believe man is the pinnacle of God's creation and uniquely created in the image of God. We have a spirit that is God-conscious, has morals, and will live forever.

Animals are a lower order of creation for food and companionship. They operate on instinct and cause-effect. They are part of creation, but not in the plan of redemption.

I believe C.S. Lewis and Jack Van Impe (?) speculated that our pets or animals will join us in heaven. Several Christians I know feel this is true. It is an argument from silence, sentimentality, and speculation since it is not explicit in Scripture. I do believe there will be animals and creatures in heaven and paradise earth; just not my dead pets (it would get crowded).

Can someone set up a simple poll: Pets go to heaven; pets do not go to heaven?

Any opinions with or without support?

(my new dog still messes the carpet...I don't want him there taking up my time to clean up )

[traveller]

I think there will be animals in heaven the likes of which we can not begin to imagine. Like you, I do not believe my dead pets are there, even though at the ripe old age of 5, I baptised my dog. He was scared and I was determined and we both won out.

[Guest LadyC]

i told a friend once that i could only pray that when the rapture occurs, God would instantly strike my cat dead, because he'd be totally lost without me. he wouldn't survive. he's toothless, clawless, and is scared to death of strangers. my friend said why not pray the cat could go with you? Jesus comes back on a white horse, so you can't say there won't be animals in heaven.

i have no opinion on this. i don't know. but now i pray that IF i can't take my cat, that God will strike him dead.

[Ovedya]

I have to give that a big "I don't know."

On the one hand, animals are a part of the old creation. They do not have spirits, and therefore do not have the capacity to worship God.

On the other hand the coming millenial kingdom will bring a renewed heaven and a renewed earth replete with animal life of all kind.

...I guess what it all boils down to is, it's up to God.

[endure4salvation]

i told a friend once that i could only pray that when the rapture occurs, God would instantly strike my cat dead, because he'd be totally lost without me. he wouldn't survive. he's toothless, clawless, and is scared to death of strangers. my friend said why not pray the cat could go with you? Jesus comes back on a white horse, so you can't say there won't be animals in heaven.

Ok, the text that says Jesus is coming back on a horse has to be metaphorical.

If you want to look into heaven now, read Revelation and you will never find animals mentioned there...or anywhere!

Isaiah talks about a lion and sheep and a child leading them, but this is probably dealing with the 1,000 year reign of Christ.

I would say that no animals will be in heaven, but they won't be in hell either.

[Guest rmj7]

I'm pretty positive there will be animals in Heaven, but I must agree with the rest of the crowd: I don't think animals from Earth like our pets will be coming along to enjoy the trip. Sigh, dat stinks. I wanna see my dogs and my ferret too! But that's just one thing we gotta accept. I have never recalled scripture speaking of animals from Earth going to Heaven, but I do recall hearing about animals in Heaven, even though some of the animals were used as symbolic features ( ex: Revelation) So....the only thing I suggest is, make sure you give Spike and Fluffy a big hug tonight and give them all the Kibbles and Bits they want!

[RGR]

No Lassie or Rin-Tin-Tin in Heaven? Not even Ole Duke that the Clampett's owned? Surely not!

[ColleenLovesMischief]

I love my animals to death, but I don't think so.

[Catsmeow]

i told a friend once that i could only pray that when the rapture occurs, God would instantly strike my cat dead, because he'd be totally lost without me. he wouldn't survive. he's toothless, clawless, and is scared to death of strangers. my friend said why not pray the cat could go with you? Jesus comes back on a white horse, so you can't say there won't be animals in heaven.

i have no opinion on this. i don't know. but now i pray that IF i can't take my cat, that God will strike him dead.

Awwwww, LadyC..how totally awesome!!!!!

Girlfriend, you sound like my kind of saint! Toothless, clawless, etc...Yep!

My cats aren't toothless but I'd stick by em' if they were legless or whatever. They're my "children" and I care for them and don't treat them like "pets"..but more like "kids".

I supervise their play time outside and even if I let them play outside alone in the mornings, I check on them every half hour.

I wash their bowls each day and give them the filtered water we drink from the frig. So, yep....they're my "kids"...and NOBODY would love them like I do.

I can tell when they're sad or upset. I clue into their feelings and moods and I treat them with respect.

I NEVER lie to them. If I say it's time for "Tuna" it's not to get them to come inside...it's honest. I'll be giving them their favorite treat.

I feed the kitties Science Diet but for a special treat they get fresh fish, such as boiled shrimp or broiled catfish.

You think ANYBODY would baby them like I do if I was gone? No chance.

We only have one person I know who really pampers her babies like I do and she'd be the only one I know who might. Her 16 years old kitty just died and the 11 year old is about to leave this world, due to constant infections.

These things happen when they age.

I DO believe they're going to a special heaven for animals. I believe animals are probably judged in their own special way because God knows what they're capable of.

I totally believe that loyal Police Dogs who die in the line of duty, saving their "human partner" have a special and unique place for them as well.

Is it in the bible? Well, of course not. It's what I hope for and believe...but when my favorite kitty died, Jesus gave me such sweet assurance in my heart that someday I'd see him again ...an assurance that my "baby" was safe in His arms and not to worry.

It's not some biblical doctrine but it's my hope and I'm holding on to it. I believe this is what the Lord spoke to my heart about and I hold on to that.

Also, I had a friend who had a dream when his beloved pet died and he saw his deceased pet sitting in Jesus' lap in his dream. He said the Lord assured him that the the beloved animals/pets of His saints would be preserved.

It was a dream. Was it the truth? Don't know but I'll hold on to that hope.

I suppose for those of us who really love our pets deeply, it's a hope we'll cling to. We'll find out in the end. Yes, I believe there's animals in heaven.

[Catsmeow]

LOL!!! Ah, you wanna be spoiled rotten, huh?