Hi docpotter,
And to the cow that would seem different how? After all, it is really your demand for that steak to be in the cooler at your local market that caused the butcher or slaughterhouse to kill the animal.
Anyway, the purpose of my reponse is really to show that our affection with pets and our desire that they go to heaven is really pretty unreasonable. There is no flesh in heaven only spirit. I'm always humored when I hear people speak of livingh eternally with God in heaven. That's not what the Scriptures teach in the final two chapters of the great Revelation. The flesh of all creatures, even ourselves, returns to the dust from which it came. We will not be resurrected in flesh until God restores the new heaven and the new earth. Animals have no spiritual soul. Yes, I know that you think your dog understands you and knows you and well he does, but only through repetition and rote learning. People have trained rats, birds and all sorts of animals as pets, but that doesn't change their created make-up.
I think Peter explains it fairly clearly when he explains that wicked men will be destroyed just as the beasts were created to be destroyed. Now, you may well say, but my dog isn't a beast. And I would agree, but he is an animal similar to beasts but created with different demeanor. He was created to serve a different purpose, but ultimately the make-up of his body and spirit is the same as a beast. Hence, the cow and chicken reference. If your dog has an eternal existence awaiting him, then why not a rattlesnake? Why not cockroaches?
I think that God may well have given us pets to allow us some idea of what His love is like. Afer all, nothing loves like a long time pet. He will come back even after being kicked around and mistreated for a short time, but if he is constantly kicked and mistreated, he may not. What I know is that God filled the earth with all kinds of creatures to fulfill all kinds of purposes. Dung beatles help to recycle the dead matter of the earth. Earthworms help to aerate the soil. Cows help to feed us and pets give us help and comfort in many ways. I'm sure that God knew long ago that docile and obedient dogs would be trained to help the blind and crippled.
Yes, the Scriptures tell us that there will be animals in the new existence just as there were obviously animals at the beginning of this realm of creation which Adam was given the responsibility of naming. But they will be newly created animals and not resurrected animals of some past life as we will be.
I'm sure you may not agree and that's Ok. One day we will know the truth.
God bless you.
In Christ, Ted
