Animals

[White Rabbit]

Not sure if this is right area, but... Will animals go to heaven? It seems like they will because they are sinless as far as we know (they didn't eat the fruit of good and evil). But someone also said they won't because they don't have souls... anyone got any input on this?

 

[armothe]

Not sure if this is right area, but... Will animals go to heaven? It seems like they will because they are sinless as far as we know (they didn't eat the fruit of good and evil). But someone also said they won't because they don't have souls... anyone got any input on this?

Who was created in God's image? Whose nostrils did God breathe into? Who walked with God in the garden?

Yes, animals (sans humans) are incapabile of sinning, and by the same token they are also incapable of having a personal relationship with God.

One also has to ask what purpose spiritual animals serve in heaven.

-A

 

[White Rabbit]

Who was created in God's image? Whose nostrils did God breathe into? Who walked with God in the garden?

Yes, animals (sans humans) are incapabile of sinning, and by the same token they are also incapable of having a personal relationship with God.

One also has to ask what purpose spiritual animals serve in heaven.

-A

To keep us company of course. I myself couldn't live with knowing that my cat wouldn't be there.

 

[GaelSong]

I'm sure my animal friends are in heaven, after all isn't dog God backwards. Dogs are the most loving , loyal friends in the animal world.

 

[armothe]

To keep us company of course. I myself couldn't live with knowing that my cat wouldn't be there.

I think the company of God Himself, along with the other saved should keep you plenty happy.

I know how difficult it is not to think of pets as practically human. Heck, we already have animal rights laws which come close to treating pets the same as humans.

When studying Gods word, however; it is quite clear that animals do not share the same equality and fate as humans do. One example would be the inclusion of "Thou Shall Not Murder" in the 10 Commandments. It is quite clear that this is in reference to humans, not animals. For if God never intended for us to kill animals, He would have never required their sacrifice throughout the Levitical priesthood. Nor would He have made skins for Adam and Eve.

Because I've had several discussions about this prior, I always must end my point by clearly stating that I (nor God) advocates animal cruelty or abuse.

-A

 

[armothe]

I'm sure my animal friends are in heaven, after all isn't dog God backwards. Dogs are the most loving , loyal friends in the animal world.

What is YHWH spelled backwards?

-A

 

[Splendor Of My Soul]

Its true animals are sinless, but they are sinless because they cannot act in any other way, and not because they freely chose not to sin, which only humans can. Besides, only man and not animals were created in God's image and likeness and therefore only man can inherit God's kingdom.

I seriously doubt if there is any quote in the bible which says that Jesus died for your neighbor's siamese cat.

Peace and Blessings

Gerardo

 

[Splendor Of My Soul]

I think the company of God Himself, along with the other saved should keep you plenty happy.

I suppose that those in heaven would eternally be too enraptured beholding the face of God to notice that their pet goldfish isn't with them.

Peace and Blessings

Gerardo

 

[eaglex]

Yes! I believe that there will be animals up in HEAVEN. THey are part of GOD'S creation too. I don't believe the GOD would have created animals not to include them in HIS eternal plan.So enjoy enjoy enjoy.

 

[frumanchu]

I suppose that those in heaven would eternally be too enraptured beholding the face of God to notice that their pet goldfish isn't with them.

Precisely my thoughts. I haven't the foggiest idea whether or not animals will be in heaven. My own personal feeling is that there may well be, but I have no concrete Scriptural basis for it (nor do I see any against it). I do know that if there were no animals in heaven I would not spend one second lamenting the fact...I will be much too busy glorifying God and enjoying His eternal presence.

 

[armothe]

Precisely my thoughts. I haven't the foggiest idea whether or not animals will be in heaven. My own personal feeling is that there may well be, but I have no concrete Scriptural basis for it (nor do I see any against it). I do know that if there were no animals in heaven I would not spend one second lamenting the fact...I will be much too busy glorifying God and enjoying His eternal presence.

1) Why did God create animals (on the earth)?
The oxen assists mankind with labour
The dung beetle breaks down waste (from the oxen)
Mosquitos and leeches feed off of the oxen for nourishment and survival
Vultures and hyenas clean carcasses of dead oxen
Dogs and cats serve as useful companions

2) Is there a purpose for animals in Heaven?
There is no labour
There is no decay
There is no death
There is no need for animal companionship

I suppose I am surprised to see a supporter of Limited Atonement supporting the idea of animals in heaven. Do all animals go to heaven? Or did God only choose certain ones? Please note I am posting under the assumption of the OP who asked whether or not earthly animals travel to heaven upon death.

-A

 

[frumanchu]

1) Why did God create animals (on the earth)?

Because it pleased Him to do so.

Is there a purpose for animals in Heaven?

Are the purposes you listed the only possible ones?

I suppose I am surprised to see a supporter of Limited Atonement supporting the idea of animals in heaven.

Ummm...what exactly does my view of the atonement have to do with animals being in heaven?

Do all animals go to heaven? Or did God only choose certain ones? Please note I am posting under the assumption of the OP who asked whether or not earthly animals travel to heaven upon death.

I wasn't really thinking of it in terms of animals dying and going to heaven so much as whether or not there will be any animals there at all. Scripture is pretty much silent on this matter, so I don't think there's really a way to say either way. Let's just say I'm not going to be all bummed out if my dog isn't there.

 

[armothe]

Because it pleased Him to do so.

I believe animals were created as part of the earth's ecosystem. Without them, man couldn't survive. Sometimes God does actually have a purpose for things other than "for His own glory".

Are the purposes you listed the only possible ones?

Food, nourishment for humans
Food, nourishment for other animals
Population control for other animals/species
Sustaining plant growth/death

Again, I don't see these eco-necessities in the spiritual realm of heaven.

Ummm...what exactly does my view of the atonement have to do with animals being in heaven? I wasn't really thinking of it in terms of animals dying and going to heaven so much as whether or not there will be any animals there at all.

It pertains to the original question as to whether our pets or animal companions here on earth will be in heaven. Not whether or not there are animals in heaven. Your view of atonement is relevant in this manner because I would find it odd that you might expect the majority of humans (God's image) not to go to heaven, but allow for all the animals on the earth to enter heaven.

Scripture is pretty much silent on this matter, so I don't think there's really a way to say either way. Let's just say I'm not going to be all bummed out if my dog isn't there.

The only passage that may be relevant is found in Ecclesiastes 3 which shows a difference between the spirit of man and animal. However, this passage could be interpreted differently, and who knows if it was the authors attempt to actually define what/who goes where as far as the afterlife is concerned - it could have just been poetry.

-A

 

[White Rabbit]

What about in Isaiah when it talks about the wolf living with the lamb in peace? Is that referring to Heaven or somewhere else?

 

[armothe]

What about in Isaiah when it talks about the wolf living with the lamb in peace? Is that referring to Heaven or somewhere else?

Like most of Isaiah, these words are figurative and stand for a time when Christ would renew the earth with His sacrifice - ushering in a new covenant where we can be spiritually united with one another under God.

-A

 

[White Rabbit]

Like most of Isaiah, these words are figurative and stand for a time when Christ would renew the earth with His sacrifice - ushering in a new covenant where we can be spiritually united with one another under God.

-A

How do you know it's figurative?

 

[armothe]

How do you know it's figurative?

Do you think that trees really clapped their hands?

-A

 

[White Rabbit]

Do you think that trees really clapped their hands?

-A

Anything is possible with God.

Anyways, how do you know that even that is figurative?

 

[Ewe]

All flesh will be renewed, not just all human flesh.

Does the fact that the Bible doesn't address what happens to dead human babies and fetuses mean that they don't get an afterlife? No, that would be presumptuous. More likely, it isn't mentioned because, as with animals, babies won't ever read the Bible, so there is no need for it to mention this.

armothe,

God permitted some Old Testament Jews to eat members of other species. He also allowed them to take as slaves members of other races. If the fact that God allowed people to use animals for physical ends means that animals have no eternal consciousness (and therefore get no recompense for the incredible suffering many go through while alive), does this also mean that the people they were allowed to use for physical ends also have no eternal consciousness? I don't think it's logical to suppose that for an individual to have a physical purpose prevents them from having a spiritual existence.

More thoughts:
Maybe animals can sin; maybe they can't. If they can't choose evil, they can't choose good either, in which case they're neutral. Neutral is still better than evil, which we humans are. I don't see why the suffering of animals in that case should never be recompensed in Heaven if it is for those like us, who don't deserve it. That belief that animals' experiences have no importance is not founded in the Bible: Proverbs 10, The righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel. It is, however, a belief consistent with cultural norms, and people have often tried to defend selfish (sinful) cultural norms and prejudicial lack of compassion with the Bible, slavery again being an extreme example. History teaches us how vulnerable the human race is to cultural conditioning and its consequent subjectivity in reading God's Word. The common belief that the suffering of animals doesn't matter (but should be prevented when it makes us feel better - there's that selfishness again) which I myself came close to buying into (society en mass has a way of wearing you down) is another of the numerous cases of experience and desensitisation trumping both reason and empathy. It's just human nature, and we all know about that.

 

[jds1977]

KJV Revelation 19:14 And the armies which were in heaven followed him upon white horses, clothed in fine linen, white and clean.​

Could this be proof that the Lone Ranger is in heaven since he too was a white horse rider? hahaha jk...This is the only animal I could find that would be in heaven. But, Christ will set up His kingdom on earth, so does it matter if dogs will be up there or down here?