There is not a lot in the bible that talks about animals. Typically they are used for sacrifices and not much is entered into as to what they think. Nevertheless some things are clear, such as our dominion (Genesis).
One thing that is brilliantly clear is that there are animals in heaven that have a song to sing to God (Revelation 4:8). This tells us that there is a standard for animals to live up to, as all animals must be capable of praising God. Elsewhere the bible tells us that to know to do something and not do it is a sin (James 4:17), so certainly that would cover animals who do not praise God when they know to.
In the end, it is up to the animal to be obedient to God, I think. If an animal disobeys God's leading, that animal has sinned and that could be just about anything. For example, it would be sin for an animal to kill a human being because of our dominion, so that would be a sin.
What can we do for animals so that they do not sin? We can be examples of Christ's love. We can pray. We can minister to the needs of animals, such as food, water and shelter. All these things will help an animal keep from sinning.
Do animals go to heaven? I think they do. There are other animals in heaven, as the bible says, so it makes sense that animals can get into heaven. Why would God create such wonderful creatures just to let them go to waste? St Francis actually witnessed to animals, so the animals he saw saved will be in heaven, that much is certain.
One thing that is brilliantly clear is that there are animals in heaven that have a song to sing to God (Revelation 4:8). This tells us that there is a standard for animals to live up to, as all animals must be capable of praising God. Elsewhere the bible tells us that to know to do something and not do it is a sin (James 4:17), so certainly that would cover animals who do not praise God when they know to.
In the end, it is up to the animal to be obedient to God, I think. If an animal disobeys God's leading, that animal has sinned and that could be just about anything. For example, it would be sin for an animal to kill a human being because of our dominion, so that would be a sin.
What can we do for animals so that they do not sin? We can be examples of Christ's love. We can pray. We can minister to the needs of animals, such as food, water and shelter. All these things will help an animal keep from sinning.
Do animals go to heaven? I think they do. There are other animals in heaven, as the bible says, so it makes sense that animals can get into heaven. Why would God create such wonderful creatures just to let them go to waste? St Francis actually witnessed to animals, so the animals he saw saved will be in heaven, that much is certain.
