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Animals in HEaven?
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kingoffools13
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its to be taken with the understanding of the book that it is from but revelations speaks of animals in heaven ... unusual animals but they are there ... and at least 4 horses apparently? but that may all be symbolism its a hard one to nail down ... perhaps if they are not in heaven, they will at least be on the new earth 
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- Nov 24, 2007
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My own theory is that animals - at least, dogs and cats and other such higher animals - DO have souls (a mind, a will, and emotions). What they lack is a spirit. But if we take our own souls with us when we go on to eternity as well as our spirits, then I can see no reason why our beloved furry companions shouldn't join us there.
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kingoffools13
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well i think you have that backwards ... spirit but no soul ... or if you are reformed you're more likely to believe they are the same thing and then it really comes down to a 2 level debate, Calvinism vs Arminianism and then the non-corporeal state of animals vs the afterlife ramifications of their status
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Amber.ly
Predictably eccentric and honestly hypocritical
I don't see animals going to heaven. The Bible never mentions that Christ died for all living creatures.
But hey, if someone wants to believe they will be reunited with lost pets, then more power to them. I certainly don't begrudge anyone hope.
But hey, if someone wants to believe they will be reunited with lost pets, then more power to them. I certainly don't begrudge anyone hope.
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Touma
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There are "4 living creatures' in heaven. not sure what 'creature' means, though.
As for our old dogs, cats, etc. I don't believe they will be there. It would be nice for them to be there, but I don't see it happening. However, there will be a new heaven and earth made. Maybe on the new earth, we will have pets again.
As for our old dogs, cats, etc. I don't believe they will be there. It would be nice for them to be there, but I don't see it happening. However, there will be a new heaven and earth made. Maybe on the new earth, we will have pets again.
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Niels
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The Bible never mentions that animals are guilty of original sin, so why would Christ need to die for them?
I suspect there will be animals in the afterlife, given how God seems to like them so much, but will our specific pets be there? Although it's a nice thought, I have no idea.
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Obzocky
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I'm still not sure whether there is anything we (as we are now) will be aware of following our death, but I do think if there is anything that comes afterwards (the start of new life, whatever) that the animals God created, His creations which are loved just as we are, will exist. Really though it's not something I spend too much time thinking about.
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Spirit_Star
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Yes I believe animals have souls and spirits go to Heaven not just dogs but all creatures that the lord created. So yes I belive the dinosaurs are over there as well. I take my information straight from the bible. The world say says that. Christ did not have to die for any other creature but man because animals and his other creatures (insects/plants etc) are innocent sinless. However mans sin effected them. God gave them a wonderful world and man took that away from them. God also never planned or wanted any of his creatures to die man brought death to them. Christ brings life to what man took away.
Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing.
Romans 8:19-21 the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
There are a lot more scriptures if someone is truly interested in the topic there are several good books out there the authors having taken their evidence from the bible and some have even looked into Hebrew version of the bible. Like Hebrew word for soul is nephesh which is used in relation to both man and animals. This is something I have really study and prayed about since my dog crossed over and I found my answer. I had ordered a book prior to her passing because I knew it was coming the book arrived the day she passed even though it was not scheduled to arrive for a few days. I know God speed it up so that I would have it.
Job 12:10 In whose hand is the soul of every living thing.
Romans 8:19-21 the creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.
There are a lot more scriptures if someone is truly interested in the topic there are several good books out there the authors having taken their evidence from the bible and some have even looked into Hebrew version of the bible. Like Hebrew word for soul is nephesh which is used in relation to both man and animals. This is something I have really study and prayed about since my dog crossed over and I found my answer. I had ordered a book prior to her passing because I knew it was coming the book arrived the day she passed even though it was not scheduled to arrive for a few days. I know God speed it up so that I would have it.
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Apollo Celestio
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New heaven and new earth.. there will probably be animals we know and many we don't know.
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HighwayMan
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mina
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I do believe there will be animals in heaven. As to if they have souls or not, I don't think it matters in their case. They aren't humans and are not bound by human sin or redemption. There is animal imagery in the Bible to refer to views of heaven and I think it points to that God is not utterly opposed to the idea. A lot of people get really worked up over this issue and it always puzzles me. I don't understand how there possibly being a dog in heaven is such an insult to someone's belief system. I do think that God cares for all living things that He creates and the animals on this Earth are not just soley for "our" enjoyment, but His as well and that He delights in His non-human creation apart from our self centered little existance. God really doesn't make it crystal clear in the Bible b/c I don't think it's something we really have to worry about; the Bible speaks to human existance and salvation. There are no cats mentioned in any part of the Bible yet they exist and have since biblical times as well; so I dont think the bible addresses every infinite possiblity for every living creature in existance- it addresses what our human finite mind needs to know concerning our situation.
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Inkachu
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The Bible says a new heaven AND a new earth. It also talks about the wolf dwelling with the lamb, the leopard lying down with the young goat, the lion and calf living in peace, etc. Are these just metaphors? I don't think so. The old earth was full of life of all kinds, not just human life. I think the new earth will be the same, only perfected, like the Garden of Eden was supposed to be. Though according to John, there won't be anymore ocean (why John? why? I like the ocean!), or sun, because God will light everything. So... :shrug:...
Now, will our PETS be there, specifically? That I don't know, but I sure hope so.
Now, will our PETS be there, specifically? That I don't know, but I sure hope so.
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- Jul 23, 2007
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Lol Millhouse.... "Will there be Cavemen in heaven?"... Sunday School teacher "Certainly not.
What a dumb kid.
What a dumb kid.
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Howard Cneal
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I find it interesting how Christians say there will be animals in heaven, but no food, marriage, sex, genders, races, gravity, night time or other important things we cannot imagine life without. It's... funny.
I like animals but they don't have an eternal spirit because they are not made in the image of Almighty God. So how could they survive death? They can't even think. Not to say they won't be there, but that's a whole other matter.
I like animals but they don't have an eternal spirit because they are not made in the image of Almighty God. So how could they survive death? They can't even think. Not to say they won't be there, but that's a whole other matter.
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the Bible is pretty much silent on whether or not animals go to heaven. I sure hope so, but I guess I'll find out myself when I get there.
BTW. I heart the picture in the OP.
BTW. I heart the picture in the OP.
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The only place I am aware of that God says creatures will be called to account is:
Gen 9:
4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
Interesting that the covenant of no more worldwide flood is also given to the animals:
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 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. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
Gen 9:
4 “But you must not eat meat that has its lifeblood still in it. 5 And for your lifeblood I will surely demand an accounting. I will demand an accounting from every animal. And from each human being, too, I will demand an accounting for the life of another human being.
Interesting that the covenant of no more worldwide flood is also given to the animals:
8 Then God said to Noah and to his sons with him: 9 “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 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. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be destroyed by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth.”
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