Pets in Heaven

Archivist · Aug 11, 2020

I recently read that Martin Luther, referring to his dog Tolpel, once said the following about dogs and other animals being in Heaven:

"Certainly there will be, for Peter calls that day the time of the restitution of all things. Then, as clearly said elsewhere, he will create new Tolpels with skin of gold and hair of pearls. There and then God will be all in all. No animal will eat any other. Snakes and toads and other beasts which are poisonous on account of original sin will then be not only innocuous but even pleasing and nice to play with. Why is it that we cannot believe all things will happen as the Bible says, even in this article of resurrection? Original sin is at fault."

Yet I know that this is a matter of dispute, that some Christians do not believe that their beloved pets will be with them in Heaven. I certainly believe that my beloved kitties will be waiting for me on the other side of Rainbow Bridge.

So, was Luther correct? Will our pets be with us in Heaven?

tampasteve · Aug 11, 2020

I vacillate back and forth on this. On the one hand, I cannot imagine heaven without our wonderful loved pets. On the other, I know that Heaven is not like this Earth - it is an entirely different place with different rules and intentions.

In the end I think this is something that we just can't know. But it gives me comfort to think they will be there, so I choose to believe that to be true.

Cis.jd · Aug 11, 2020

Archivist said:
So, was Luther correct? Will our pets be with us in Heaven?

We do not know.

JackRT · Aug 11, 2020

tampasteve said:
I vacillate back and forth on this. On the one hand, I cannot imagine heaven without our wonderful loved pets. On the other, I know that Heaven is not like this Earth - it is an entirely different place with different rules and intentions.

In the end I think this is something that we just can't know. But it gives me comfort to think they will be there, so I choose to believe that to be true.

Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

rnmomof7 · Aug 11, 2020

We will be so awed being in the presence of God.. He will be our all in all.. we won't care about spouses or children or parents and not our beloved fur kids.. Will they be there? I dont think it will matter to us

tampasteve · Aug 11, 2020

JackRT said:
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge. When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and comfortable. All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again, just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind. They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster. You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again. The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart. Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....

That sounds lovely, I hope it to be true. Either way, it is a wonderful thing to think to be the case. I choose to believe something along those lines.

Jonathan Walkerin · Aug 11, 2020

JackRT said:
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here, that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge.

Must have missed that Bible reference.

Also...so if an animal hasn’t been close to someone it just gets thrown in to oblivion?

Hardly seems fair.

JackRT · Aug 11, 2020

Jonathan Walkerin said:
Must have missed that Bible reference.

It was from Speculations 5: 1-9

Archivist · Aug 11, 2020

Jonathan Walkerin said:
Also...so if an animal hasn’t been close to someone it just gets thrown in to oblivion?

Hardly seems fair.

Acts 3:21 talks about the restitution of all things. If you read the OP you know that Luther said that would include not only pets but also snakes and toads and other beasts. I emphasized pets in the OP simply because I want my kitties to be waiting for me at Rainbow Bridge (or perhaps I will go first and I will be there waiting for the ones I have now).

Ann77 · Aug 12, 2020

I have a book on this. It was so comforting - I will post the screenshots here when I find the relevant pages

Ann77 · Aug 12, 2020

Found it. Hope you guys can zoom in and read it ok.

TKA_TN · Aug 14, 2020

Truth is, Holy Scripture doesn’t tell us. Personally, I think we will all be in too much awe of our God to even be thinking of our pets, but if God chooses to let them be there, then that’s great. If not, we won’t be feeling any disappointment.

FaithT · Aug 16, 2020

Archivist said:
I recently read that Martin Luther, referring to his dog Tolpel, once said the following about dogs and other animals being in Heaven:

"Certainly there will be, for Peter calls that day the time of the restitution of all things. Then, as clearly said elsewhere, he will create new Tolpels with skin of gold and hair of pearls. There and then God will be all in all. No animal will eat any other. Snakes and toads and other beasts which are poisonous on account of original sin will then be not only innocuous but even pleasing and nice to play with. Why is it that we cannot believe all things will happen as the Bible says, even in this article of resurrection? Original sin is at fault."

Yet I know that this is a matter of dispute, that some Christians do not believe that their beloved pets will be with them in Heaven. I certainly believe that my beloved kitties will be waiting for me on the other side of Rainbow Bridge.

So, was Luther correct? Will our pets be with us in Heaven?

I certainly hope so. I miss my fur babies.

Archivist · Aug 19, 2020

Ann77 said:
Found it. Hope you guys can zoom in and read it ok.

Beautiful! Thank you Ann77! Sorry for the delay, had to wait until I got my desktop back up and running--too small to read on an iphone!

I was so happy to read that Luther expects to see his dog in heaven. I certainly hope that my beloved kitties are there!

Archivist · Aug 19, 2020

I was just a kitten when we first met, I loved you from the start, you picked me up and took me home and placed me in your heart.

Good times we had together, we shared all life could throw, but years passed all too quickly, my time has come to go.

I know how much you miss me, I know your heart is sore, I see the tears that fall when I'm not Waiting at the Door.

You always did your best for me, your love was plain to see.

For even though it broke your heart, you set my spirit free.

So please be brave without me, one day we'll meet once more.

For when you're called to Heaven, I'll be Waiting at the Door.

ViaCrucis · Aug 20, 2020

I don't think there should be any doubt that in the Age to Come we shall find the animals part of that good and future world. Scripture says precisely these things, recall the Prophet Isaiah who says the lion shall eat straw like an ox, and the child shall play near the viper's den without fear, that the wolf and the lamb shall lay together.

The question of specific animals, such as our beloved pets, is the unknown. Will God restore my four-legged best friends that I've had in my life in the glorious day? I hope so, I pray that it is so, but I cannot know so.

-CryptoLutheran

rnmomof7 · Aug 24, 2020

tampasteve said:
I vacillate back and forth on this. On the one hand, I cannot imagine heaven without our wonderful loved pets. On the other, I know that Heaven is not like this Earth - it is an entirely different place with different rules and intentions.

In the end I think this is something that we just can't know. But it gives me comfort to think they will be there, so I choose to believe that to be true.

Me too... But will we be so in awe of God, throwing our crowns at His feet, falling before the Throne that not only will we not miss or seek our beloved pets.. but not our parents, spouse or children either?

I know that many say animals do not have eternal souls...but I have yet to have anyone prove it to me... It gives me comfort to think I can share the joys of heaven with my pets, that have never sinned or dishonored Gods purpose for them

tampasteve · Aug 25, 2020

rnmomof7 said:
Me too... But will we be so in awe of God, throwing our crowns at His feet, falling before the Throne that not only will we not miss or seek our beloved pets.. but not our parents, spouse or children either?

I know that many say animals do not have eternal souls...but I have yet to have anyone prove it to me... It gives me comfort to think I can share the joys of heaven with my pets, that have never sinned or dishonored Gods purpose for them

Perhaps. I think that if that is so then it really will not matter, so what harm is there in taking comfort in this life?

Basil the Great · Aug 27, 2020

I am inclined to believe that there will be pets in Heaven and I have not had any pets for 40 years.

KagomeShuko · Aug 27, 2020

Pets will be in heaven. I read so much about it - I grieve deeply when I lose a furbaby. I have a person reason to believe pets are in heaven. I believe I saw one of my doggies in heaven with my parents - it was not like a normal "dream" that I have. It was definitely my doggie. And then, another time, another of my doggies with my grandpa. My grandpa didn't like dogs, but for some reason, he loved that little dog. I saw my grandpa, in clothes I didn't recognize at all (which I later looked up and it made PERFECT sense why he'd be wearing those clothes), down on some beautiful grass, playing with that dog like he always said he wished he could do in life.

Pets in Heaven

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