Do you think that your pets will go to Heaven?

[Key Of David]

It says in I Enoch (which I can't find because I've recently moved and now fear I've mistakenly packed it down in storage) that the beast WILL be in eternity and that each man will answer for his/her treatment of each beast. It says something to the effect of the animal will answer the Lord whether he was ill fed or not.....in other words this is in regards to domestic animals and pets...not the ants you sprayed to get out of your house.

I believe in my heart that I Enoch is a legitimate member of the original Massorah (from which King James Version was translated) so I feed my fishies well.

 

[Lizquests]

I think that there is somewhere in scripture where is says to the effect that one day in heavan a man will lie next to the lion. I have been searching to find this, but I need to keep looking. I will post it whenever I find it; unless one of you know?

I would love to see my sammy dog again.

 

[Bob Moore]

I think that there is somewhere in scripture where is says to the effect that one day in heavan a man will lie next to the lion. I have been searching to find this, but I need to keep looking. I will post it whenever I find it; unless one of you know?

I would love to see my sammy dog again.

I hope we all see them again.

The passage is Isaiah 11:6-9, "And the wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of Jehovah, as the waters cover the sea."

Two interpretations:

1) Isaiah 11:6 - And the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb,.... This, and the three following verses Isa_11:7, describe the peaceableness of the Messiah's kingdom; and which the Targum introduces in this manner,

"in the days of the Messiah of Israel, peace shall be multiplied in the earth.''

The wild and tame creatures shall agree together, and the former shall become the latter; which is not to be understood literally of the savage creatures, as if they should lose their nature, and be restored, as it is said, to their paradisiacal estate, which is supposed to be the time of the restitution of all things; but figuratively of men, comparable to wild creatures, who through the power of divine grace, accompanying the word preached, shall become tame, mild, meek, and humble; such who have been as ravenous wolves, have worried Christ's sheep, made havoc of them, breathing out slaughter and threatenings against them, as did Saul, through converting grace, become as gentle and harmless as lambs, and take up their residence in Christ's fold, and dwell with, yea, some of them even feed, Christ's lambs and sheep, as the above mentioned person:

and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; such who are like the leopard, for the fierceness of his nature, and the variety of his spots; who can no more change their hearts and their actions, than that creature can change its nature and its spots; are so wrought upon by the power of divine grace, as to drop their rage against the saints, alter their course of life, and attend on the word and ordinances, lie down beside the shepherds' tents, where the church feeds her kids, or young converts:

and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; either dwell and feed together, or lie down together, or walk together, since it follows:

and a little child shall lead them; become through the grace of God so tractable, that they shall be led, guided, and governed by the ministers of the Gospel, Christ's babes and sucklings, to whom he reveals the great things of his Gospel, and out of whose mouths he ordains praise. Bohlius (a) interprets this little child of Christ himself, by whom they should be led and directed, see Isa_9:6 and the following passages are referred to the times of the Messiah by the Jewish writers (b); and Maimonides (c) in particular observes, that they are not to be understood literally, as if the custom and order of things in the world would cease, or that things would be renewed as at the creation, but in a parabolical and enigmatical sense; and interprets them of the Israelites dwelling safely among the wicked of the nations of the world, comparable to the wild beasts of the field.

2) This verse may apply to the future state when all things will be restored to their original state before man fell. By Adam's sin, death and bloodshed were introduced into the creation. Rom_5:12. In the final state these will be removed and the wild nature of animals become tame.


(a) Comment. Bibl. Rab. in Thesaur. Dissert. Philolog. par. 1. p. 752. (b) Tzeror Hammor, fol. 25. 3. Baal Hatturim in Deut. 11. 25. (c) Hilchot Melachim, c. 12. sect. 1. & Moreh Nevochim, par 3. c. 11. p. 354.

 

[MorphRC]

Animals go to heaven. I doubt many here are Catholic or even know what the Papacy is and Papal Infallibility is. Quick Lesson: The Pope the leader of the Christian community, even if you hate him and dont recognize him. Papal Infallibility means God directs the Pope in matters of faith as not to err. Now this is what the Pope said. Which made me go balastic [In a good way]

Do Animals Have Souls? - http://www.all-creatures.org/ca/ark-186soul.html

Papal Part:

Pope John Paul II: 'animals possess a soul'

When Pope John Paul II declared in a public audience in 1990 that 'also the animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with our smaller brethren' some people must have thought this was a new teaching, unaware of the Holy Father's scholarly familiarity with the authentic Hebrew texts. When he went on to state that all animals are 'fruit of the creative action of the Holy Spirit and merit respect' and that they are 'as near to God as men are', animal lovers in the audience were ecstatic! The Pope mentions the special relationship of mankind with God as being created in His image and likeness. 'However,' he goes on 'other texts state that animals have the breath of life and were given it by God. In this respect, man, created by the hand of God, is identical with all other living creatures. And so in Psalm 104 there is no distinction between man and beasts when it reads, addressing God: " … Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled: thou takest away their breath, they die, and return to their dust. Thou sendest forth thy spirit, they are created: and thou renewest the face of the earth." The existence therefore,' the Holy Father reminds us, 'of all living creatures depends on the living spirit/breath of God that not only creates but also sustains and renews the face of the earth.'

This discourse caused a stir around the world, and was especially encouraging to Catholic animal welfare groups which had begun to despair that anything 'animal friendly' would ever be heard in Rome. The then professor of theology and dogma at the University of Urbino, Carlo Molari, called it 'very important and significant. It is a "sign of the times" because it demonstrates the Church's desire and deep concern to clarify present confused thinking and attitudes towards the animal kingdom. There should be no need, but the Pontiff, in reiterating that animals came into being because of the direct action of the "breath" of God, wanted to say that also these creatures, as well as man, are possessed of the divine spark of life and that living quality that is the soul. And are therefore not inferior beings or only of a purely material reality.'

Plus also. If people say that since animals dont have souls and dont go heaven, everything else that doesnt have a soul, doesnt go to heaven either. So the throne that God sits on, shouldnt be in heaven since it dont have soul!

Anyways I hope that finally destroys ANY Doubt of it. It did with me!

 

[Bob Moore]

Animals go to heaven. I doubt many here are Catholic or even know what the Papacy is and Papal Infallibility is. Quick Lesson: The Pope the leader of the Christian community, even if you hate him and dont recognize him. Papal Infallibility means God directs the Pope in matters of faith as not to err. Now this is what the Pope said. Which made me go balastic [In a good way]

The Pope is the leader of the Roman church, not the Christian community.

No one doubts that men and animals have the same breath, souls, and that the bodies of both return to the dust. But evidently the Pope, despite his 'familiarity with authentic Hebrew texts', somehow managed to miss the text of Ecclesiastes 3:21, and the Hebrew understanding of it, to wit:

Who knoweth-- Not doubt of the destination of man's spirit (Ecc_12:7); but "how few, by reason of the outward mortality to which man is as liable as the beast and which is the ground of the skeptic's argument, comprehend the wide difference between man and the beast" (Isa_53:1). The Hebrew expresses the difference strongly, "The spirit of man that ascends, it belongeth to on high; but the spirit of the beast that descends, it belongeth to below, even to the earth." Their destinations and proper element differ utterly [WEISS].







Anyways I hope that finally destroys ANY Doubt of it. It did with me! [/QUOTE]

 

[MorphRC]

The Pope is the leader of the Roman church, not the Christian community.

No one doubts that men and animals have the same breath, souls, and that the bodies of both return to the dust. But evidently the Pope, despite his 'familiarity with authentic Hebrew texts', somehow managed to miss the text of Ecclesiastes 3:21, and the Hebrew understanding of it, to wit:

Who knoweth-- Not doubt of the destination of man's spirit (Ecc_12:7); but "how few, by reason of the outward mortality to which man is as liable as the beast and which is the ground of the skeptic's argument, comprehend the wide difference between man and the beast" (Isa_53:1). The Hebrew expresses the difference strongly, "The spirit of man that ascends, it belongeth to on high; but the spirit of the beast that descends, it belongeth to below, even to the earth." Their destinations and proper element differ utterly [WEISS].


Anyways I hope that finally destroys ANY Doubt of it. It did with me!

[/QUOTE]

The Pope is the leader of the Roman church, not the Christian community.

No the whole Christian community. Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, orthodox, Lutheran. CCC: 831-880.

But evidently the Pope, despite his 'familiarity with authentic Hebrew texts', somehow managed to miss the text of Ecclesiastes 3:21, and the Hebrew understanding of it, to wit:

Who knoweth-- Not doubt of the destination of man's spirit (Ecc_12:7); but "how few, by reason of the outward mortality to which man is as liable as the beast and which is the ground of the skeptic's argument, comprehend the wide difference between man and the beast" (Isa_53:1). The Hebrew expresses the difference strongly, "The spirit of man that ascends, it belongeth to on high; but the spirit of the beast that descends, it belongeth to below, even to the earth." Their destinations and proper element differ utterly [WEISS].

If you read the article, their is no encycial link. Also, its a article concerning the Popes words, so no wonder you didnt find anything about Ecc 3:21.

 

[Bob Moore]

The Pope is the leader of the Roman church, not the Christian community.

No the whole Christian community. Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, orthodox, Lutheran. CCC: 831-880.

Wrong. The Council of Trent pronounced anathema on all Protestants. That pronouncement has never been recinded. The Pope may fancy himself the head of Christians, but do not delude yourself, he is only the head of Rome despite any grandiose claims of universal supremacy. Matthew 23:9, "And call no man your father upon the earth: for one is your Father, which is in heaven." And 1 Timothy 2:5, "For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus;"

So the Pope is not my father, holy or otherwise, and no mediation by any church is required between God and me.

If you read the article, their is no encycial link. Also, its a article concerning the Popes words, so no wonder you didnt find anything about Ecc 3:21.

You, and apparently the Pope as well, missed the point. Ecclesiates denies any equality of spirit. Most of what he said is correct, but after refering to his 'familiarity with authentic Hebrew texts' you quote him as saying that the animals are as near to God as men are. That is true only is the sense that God is the Creator of all things. Jesus died to redeem men. There may be an eternal plan for the animals (I hope there is) but you must not elevate them to the level of men.

By the way, isn't it a little strange that a good Roman Catholic such as yourself would choose to use the name of Ovid's god of dreams and sleep, and the name of the pagan Egyptian diety who conducted the dead to judgment?

 

[mrslinky]

I believe there will be a separarate place for dogs, cats, and other animals. They will all live peacefully together. Some cats and dogs will have to make ammends to the birds and squirrels they murdered while on Earth but otherwise they'll be one big happy family. They may even talk. We will have access to visit our old pets.

 

[Lizquests]

No the whole Christian community. Catholic, Protestant, Anglican, orthodox, Lutheran. CCC: 831-880.

Not to get into a debate here on this, but I just wanted to state that I am not in any of those religions. I am undenominational. So, I say that the Lord is my father. Definately not the pope.

 

[elevatoroperator]

Pets are in heaven, but because they don't have souls, they really don't know the difference between being here on earth or in heaven. But because it's heaven, there's no hairballs or other vexations that your common earth pet has to put up with.

 

[Bob Moore]

I believe there will be a separarate place for dogs, cats, and other animals. They will all live peacefully together. Some cats and dogs will have to make ammends to the birds and squirrels they murdered while on Earth but otherwise they'll be one big happy family. They may even talk. We will have access to visit our old pets.

I like this scenario.

 

[Angeldove97]

When I was a "baby" Christian, I asked my best friend, who helped me get Saved, if our pets will go to heaven. She told me that if we pray to have our pet with us, then yes God will send our cute lil puppies, kitties, ham-hams, fishies, and whatever else we love to us. It wouldn't be Paradise if God didn't bless us with animals. Also, I'm not sure, but I think my mom told me in Paradise we'll have control over the animals again, like what Adam had in Eden because that's how God intended it to be.

 

[Invader Pichu]

I believe all non-human animals go to Heaven.

 

[bobbyanderson]

has anyone ever looked at a dog with love?

 

[Oblivious]

I haven't read through all the responses, so if I repeat something that was already said, that's why!

Pets themselves do not have a soul so therefore by themselves they do not have a way to get to heaven. I suppose there could be animals in heaven. We'll just have to wait and see

 

[Abigail's folly]

I think that we put a limit on what Heaven is going to be like sometimes. I would love for my pets to be in eternity with me, but we don't even know what wonders await us.

I have a sneaking suspicion that when we will view our mortal life from the eternal side , we will consider our pets like we now consider our childhood toys. They were of great fun and comfort to us then, but we are going to be a new creation, with new goals.

No matter if they are there or not, we will be content. That, I can count on.

And, if you think I'm not a big pet fan, check out my webshots albums, you'll see I am quite passionate about my pets, and I have quite a few I'd like to see again.

http://community.webshots.com/user/razzit2

 

[ChristFollowers]

Do you people ever read the Bible? There are ALOT of Bible verses that say animals are in Heaven. I can list them if you want me to. If animals were in the Garden of Eden...I would think they would be in Heaven also.

Animals do have souls.....read Eccles. 3:21.....animals have SOULS!

 

[Abigail's folly]

I'm not denying that animals will be 'in Heaven', the question is whether or not our pets have eternal souls that can be redeemed and continue into eternity.
God has a most wonderful sense of creation and I bet the next plane of our existence is filled with the most awesome living things we can imagine.

That doesn't mean that Fluffy and Fido are going to have a place in the coming life the believers have waiting for them. I hope they do.

I might add, that Ecclesiastes states that we die and are no more, back to cosmic navel-lint, so to speak. It speaks nothing about the soul of every creature as being eternal, or of any creature--even man--in this discourse, so it is not the strongest argument for this discussion.

The 'This, therefore that' argument doesn't hold. Just because there were animals in Eden (down here on earth) means that Heaven will be just like that. Have you taken a look at what the Hubble telescope can see in the 'heavens'? What if our existence is out there, something totally different than what you're used to, here in this mortal skin?

Maybe your favorite 'pet' in Heaven will be a grand winged-horse or a beautiful glistening tiger that can converse with you? Stretch the mind a bit.

 

[Wolflily]

Heaven is perfect. My opinion right now is in order for Heaven to be perfect there will be pets there. However, I think when we get to Heaven, we will be so focused on worshipping God, we may never think about pets.

I do find comfort in imagining my pets being in Heaven waiting for me.

My thoughts too! I think if God puts pets in Heaven, it's because He loves us so much He is doing it for His children. But Heaven is going to be so much more than we can begin imagine so probably once we get there we won't care about the things of this world. But I like to hope my beloved pups will be there too!!

 

[dixie_chickie]

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....

Author unknown