Pets in Heaven?

[public hermit]

Will our deceased pets be in heaven? What about animals that were never pets? Consider the following quote from C.S. Lewis:

"The theory I am suggesting... makes God the centre of the universe and man the subordinate centre of terrestrial nature: the beasts are not co-ordinate with man, but subordinate to him, and their destiny is through and through related to his. And the derivative immortality suggested for them is not a mere amende or compensation: It is part and parcel of the new heaven and new earth, organically related to the whole suffering process of the world's fall and redemption." (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, Chapter 9, 1940, p 145).

According to C.S. Lewis, the pets of Christians will be in heaven, because their destiny is related to the destiny of the household. To me, that's an odd little argument, but I thought it might generate some thought.

So, will there be animals in heaven? Will only the pets of Christians be in heaven? Where did those horses come from in Revelation 6? Are they literal horses?

 

[brinny]

Will our deceased pets be in heaven? What about animals that were never pets? Consider the following quote from C.S. Lewis:

"The theory I am suggesting... makes God the centre of the universe and man the subordinate centre of terrestrial nature: the beasts are not co-ordinate with man, but subordinate to him, and their destiny is through and through related to his. And the derivative immortality suggested for them is not a mere amende or compensation: It is part and parcel of the new heaven and new earth, organically related to the whole suffering process of the world's fall and redemption." (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, Chapter 9, 1940, p 145).

According to C.S. Lewis, the pets of Christians will be in heaven, because their destiny is related to the destiny of the household. To me, that's an odd little argument, but I thought it might generate some thought.

So, will there be animals in heaven? Will only the pets of Christians be in heaven? Where did those horses come from in Revelation 6? Are they literal horses?

Of COURSE all creatures that God, our Creator created, will be in heaven, just as they were on earth before the fall. It seems clear to me that THAT is what "restoration" means. And i agree, even Revelation speaks of the horses. In addition God uses His creatures as examples on how, at the restoration, the lamb will lie down in peace, with the wolf, etc.

Man caused the fall, by his sin. The animals didn't cause it. Man needed a Savior, not the animals.

Yes, our beloved pets will be in heaven. Why wouldn't they be?

 

[public hermit]

Of COURSE all creatures that God, our Creator created, will be in heaven, just as they were on earth before the fall. It seems clear to me that THAT is what "restoration" means. And i agree, even Revelation speaks of the horses. In addition God uses His creatures as examples on how, at the restoration, the lamb will lie down in peace, with the wolf, etc.

Man caused the fall, by his sin. The animals didn't cause it. Man needed a Savior, not the animals.

Yes, our beloved pets will be in heaven. Why wouldn't they be?

I love this response!

 

[brinny]

I love this response!

It seems very clear to me that God tells us this, through His Word. He LOVES His creatures, or He wouldn't have created them in the first place. Surely that is where we ger our "affinity" for His creatures as well, and embrace them as pets, etc. (from God Himself).

The fall was/is not a "forever banishing" of His creatures when they die. They return to their Creator Who created them in the first place.

 

[Albion]

At the heart of the question is this--should Fido be saved but not mosquitos? They are alive, too, so where would the line be drawn, if at all?

 

[public hermit]

At the heart of the question is this--should Fido be saved but not mosquitos? They are alive, too, so where would the line be drawn, if at all?

Good point. I guess that includes parasites and bacteria, too.

 

[brinny]

At the heart of the question is this--should Fido be saved but not mosquitos? They are alive, too, so where would the line be drawn, if at all?

Hello my edifying friend.

At the fall, changes took place because of sin. There is a REASON that God calls some animals/creatures "clean" and others "unclean".

Decay and rot began at the fall when the curse set in and thus when "death" commenced. Along with it came bacteria, flies, maggots, deadly creatures, etc.

I would assume that would include "buzzards", etc.

 

[public hermit]

For what's it's worth: I think C.S. Lewis (at one time) would argue that Fido makes it but not mosquitos. Again, the household pets of Christians make it to heaven because of the grace given to those in the household. At least, he seems to have held that position for a time. I think he fluctuated, which is understandable.

"My stuff about animals came long ago in The Problem of Pain. I ventured the supposal—it could be nothing more—that as we are raised in Christ, so at least some animals are raised in us. Who knows, indeed, but that a great deal even of the inanimate creation is raised in the redeemed souls who have, during this life, taken its beauty into themselves. That may be the way in which the ―new heaven and the new earth are formed. Of course we can only guess and wonder." (C.S. Lewis-see source in link where there are plenty of other quotes by him concerning this issue)

https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/cs-lewis-advocate-animals.pdf

 

[Albion]

OK.

That at least is a standard which might govern the matter, Brinny.

Of course we are all guessing about where, exactly, any line might be drawn; but there has to be SOME basis for excluding some living creatures, or else it's between "all" and "none."

 

[brinny]

OK.

That at least is a standard which might govern the matter, Brinny.

Of course we are all guessing about where, exactly, any line might be drawn; but there has to be SOME basis for excluding some living creatures, or else it's between "all" and "none."

Not necessarily so, amigo.

Surely there won't be "fleas" there, for instance.

 

[brinny]

For what's it's worth: I think C.S. Lewis (at one time) would argue that Fido makes it but not mosquitos. Again, the household pets of Christians make it to heaven because of the grace given to those in the household. At least, he seems to have held that position for a time. I think he fluctuated, which is understandable.

"My stuff about animals came long ago in The Problem of Pain. I ventured the supposal—it could be nothing more—that as we are raised in Christ, so at least some animals are raised in us. Who knows, indeed, but that a great deal even of the inanimate creation is raised in the redeemed souls who have, during this life, taken its beauty into themselves. That may be the way in which the ―new heaven and the new earth are formed. Of course we can only guess and wonder." (C.S. Lewis-see source in link where there are plenty of other quotes by him concerning this issue)

https://www.humanesociety.org/sites/default/files/docs/cs-lewis-advocate-animals.pdf

Perhaps. However what comes to mind for me, is that is was God's creatures that were created first.

Surely it wasn't a mistake.

God, our Creator, LOVED/LOVES His creatures. They were never ever intended to die and decay in the first place. Man caused that curse, not animals. There was no disease, or anything "unclean" when God saw what He created and pronounced it all "very good".

This is a fascinating thread, by the way. Thank you for starting it.

 

[JohnAshton]

I am with Will Rogers.

When I die, if pets are not in heaven, I want to go where the pets went.

 

[public hermit]

OK.

That at least is a standard which might govern the matter, Brinny.

Of course we are all guessing about where, exactly, any line might be drawn; but there has to be SOME basis for excluding some living creatures, or else it's between "all" and "none."

Perhaps. However what comes to mind for me, is that is was God's creatures that were created first.

Surely it wasn't a mistake.

God, our Creator, LOVED/LOVES His creatures. They were never ever intended to die and decay in the first place. Man caused that curse, not animals. There was no disease, or anything "unclean" when God saw what He created and pronounced it all "very good".

This is a fascinating thread, by the way. Thank you for starting it.

I am reminded of Paul's statement in Romans 8 that all of creation is waiting for the revealing of the children of God, when creation will be set free from its bondage to decay. It gives me chills just to think about it. God is so good.

 

[Albion]

I am with Will Rogers.

When I die, if pets are not in heaven, I want to go where the pets went.

That spot under the big tree in the backyard?

 

[brinny]

I am reminded of Paul's statement in Romans 8 that all of creation is waiting for the revealing of the children of God, when creation will be set free from its bondage to decay. It gives me chills just to think about it. God is so good.

Yes!!! THIS!!! It's just one of the many places in the Bible that speaks of creation being "set free" from its bondage to decay, etc.

God IS good!!!!

Amen!!!

 

[brinny]

That spot under the big tree in the backyard?

LOL!

Honestly, with the costs of funerals, etc. this might not be a bad idea.

 

[public hermit]

That spot under the big tree in the backyard?

Actually, Trigger and his dog Bullet were stuffed. So....that doesn't sound too great.

 

[JohnAshton]

I have seen the stuffed Trigger and Bullet in the old Roy Rogers Museum.

Not too great.

 

[eleos1954]

Will our deceased pets be in heaven? What about animals that were never pets? Consider the following quote from C.S. Lewis:

"The theory I am suggesting... makes God the centre of the universe and man the subordinate centre of terrestrial nature: the beasts are not co-ordinate with man, but subordinate to him, and their destiny is through and through related to his. And the derivative immortality suggested for them is not a mere amende or compensation: It is part and parcel of the new heaven and new earth, organically related to the whole suffering process of the world's fall and redemption." (C.S. Lewis, The Problem of Pain, Chapter 9, 1940, p 145).

According to C.S. Lewis, the pets of Christians will be in heaven, because their destiny is related to the destiny of the household. To me, that's an odd little argument, but I thought it might generate some thought.

So, will there be animals in heaven? Will only the pets of Christians be in heaven? Where did those horses come from in Revelation 6? Are they literal horses?

Personally, I do not believe so ... pets, animals of any sort being in heaven.

However, at the very end when God makes a new heaven and earth ... there will be animals on the new earth. Now whether or not they will be previous pets/animals (restored) or not .... we do not know.

Isaiah 11:6-9 - The wolf also 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.

Ecclesiastes 3:21

Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?

There are of course ... different theologies ... about heaven ... so you will get different answers in that regard. It really depends on what one believes happens when they die the earthly death.

So, I will put forth my understanding ... in order to explain ... however ... if some disagree .. that's fine .... but it will change the OP .... and if one disagrees then they should open another thread on that topic.

That being said ... the Lords word talks about a 1,000 year period ... that happens at the 1st resurrection, there the disagreements arise ... is the 1,000 years spent in heaven or on earth?

I believe the 1,000 years is spent in heaven ... and there are no animals (in heaven) during that time frame. No reason for them to be there during the 1,000 years in heaven ... because the final end is yet to come.

Like I said .... the new earth? yes there will be animals. Restored pets? We do not know. Certainly could be as the Lord is HUGE on restoration. Regardless, His will .... will be done.

Acts 3:21

Heaven must receive him until the time comes for God to restore everything, as he promised long ago through his holy prophets.

The horses in revelation are symbolic.

In Revelation the horse is an animal associated with war. See Revelation 19:11, 14, 19.

Revelation 19:11 - And I saw heaven opened, and behold a white horse; and he that sat upon him [was] called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he doth judge and make war.

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