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Do Animals Go To Heaven?
"But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
(1 Corinthians 2: 9)
Will My Pet Be In Heaven?
"The lesser creatures await Christ's return to redeem the sons of God so they, too, will be released from physical death to eternal life."
(Romans 8: 19)
Well, leave it to a redneck cowgirl with a horse ministry to take on this daunting subject! The question of whether or not our beloved pet, Fido, will be in heaven has been largely debated, and the church rarely takes on the subject from the pulpit. The truth is, we know from scripture that God cares deeply about animals. They are His creation, and He has told us in His Word that they will be in heaven. We also know that God included animals when He made His eternal covenant with man. We will look further at scriptural proof of that in this newsletter.
So, in light of God's Word, I marvel when people make flippant remarks such as, "Animals don't have souls, so it's impossible for them to go to heaven." I call these remarks flippant because they are void of knowledge, and contrary to God's Word. My questions to these people are simple and to the point, "First off, explain to me what you understand about the creation and depth of the soul? And secondly, who told you that animals don't go to heaven?" It certainly wasn't God! To the contrary, He has told you and me specifically that they do. (Romans 8: 19)
"Though all creatures are subject to man's cruelty, God loves all His creation and has made plans for all His children and the lesser creatures to enjoy His eternal Kingdom."
(Psalm 145: 9 - 10, 13, 15 - 21
amplified Bible)
God's Covenant With Every Living Creature
"I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you and with every living creature that was with you - the birds, the livestock, and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you - every living creature on the earth."
(Genesis 9: 9 - 10)
Let's look at what God's Word says about His love and provision for all of His creation - not just man, but the animals, as well. It's surprising to some that when God established His covenant with man, He also included animals in that eternal covenant. The truth evident in the above scripture is that God not only "saved" mankind from the flood, but He saved the animals He had created, too. That's because animals were important to God. He created them, and everything that God creates has eternal purpose and value. In fact, such was the critical importance of animals to God that He chose to include them in His covenant not just with Noah, but with all of Noah's descendants.
It's worth asking one's self why God would deem animals important enough to include them in His covenant promise with mankind, if He did not deem them important enough to be in heaven.
Nothing On God's Green Earth Is A Throw-Away. Absolutely Nothing! Not Even Those Stubborn, Slow To Learn Sheep. Thankfully, They Get To Go To Heaven, Too!
"The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child will put his hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."
(Isaiah 11: 6 - 9)
Not only will animals be in heaven, as well as on the new earth as described in the scriptures above, but it sounds like a wonderful episode of the Wild Kingdom at supper time, only nobody's fighting over the food or getting eaten! That heaven will be populated with all kinds of animals is not in question scripturally. But what seems to always be in question is whether or not our dog, Fido, will be there. Why do we allow our minds to entertain such faithless thoughts? Especially since the Bible clearly tells us that God has yet to reveal all that He has waiting for us in heaven. Again, lets look at scripture.
"But as it is written, eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him."
(1 Corinthians 2: 9)
Although God has told us many things about heaven, he makes clear in His Word that He hasn't told us everything. Why? I can't answer that. But by faith, I believe God has chosen to keep some things in safe-keeping in heaven just for you and me. Perhaps it will be much like a surprise birthday gift that He has lovingly planned and prepared for our arrival. No doubt, we will not be disappointed. It will be a marvelous gift that will bring us joy - and perhaps even a gift that we will recognize.
A gift that is covered with fur!
One Day We Will Witness The Complete Liberation Of All God's Creation
"The creation itself will be liberated from it's bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God."
(Romans 8: 21 - 23)
There's no doubt, Bible scholars agree that this scripture is talking specifically about the liberation we as children of God will one day experience when we are no longer living in these decaying and dying bodies, and we go to be with God in heaven. But note that this scripture is also talking about more than just the children of God. This scripture is all-inclusive when it speaks of "the creation itself" being liberated into the very same glorious freedom as the children of God. And what is that glorious freedom? The glorious freedom is the complete liberation from natural decay and earthly death, and our entry into eternal life through the resurrection and redeeming power of Jesus Christ.
In closing, I will leave you with a question. Why doesn't God just make brand new animals in heaven? I mean, after all, what's the big deal and importance of all the old dying and decaying ones He created on earth, anyway? Surely that eternal covenant that God made with Noah was just a "perk" that He decided to throw in at the last minute, especially knowing how much Noah and his kids liked animals, - right? Which brings me to my next question. If the animals He has already created are expendable and replaceable, then why doesn't God just start over and make new people to populate heaven, too? Surely, we've caused Him much more trouble than the animals!
Again, the answer is in God's Word. Nothing that God has made is a throw-away. Instead of throwing us all away, He chose instead to make a way. And the way was Jesus Christ. Through Christ, God chose not to do away with His creation, but instead, He chose to "resurrect and redeem His creation". And He sealed His promise with a new and living covenant - once again, a covenant that was for all of His creation. An eternal covenant written and sealed in blood - the blood of Jesus Christ.
"This plan, which God will complete when the time is right, is to bring all creation together, everything in heaven and on earth, with Christ as head."
(Ephesians 1: 10)
And finally, are there horses in heaven? Absolutely. And just to prove it - Jesus, the new and living covenant, is coming back on one!
"I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns (diadems). He has a name written on him that no one but he himself knows. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God.
The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. He will rule them with an iron scepter. He treads the wine press of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. On his robe and on his thigh he has the name written:
King of Kings and Lord of Lords."
(Revelation 19: 11 - 16)
*Recommended book for my newsletter readers
who would like to learn more.
HEAVEN
(author Randy Alcorn, Pastor and founder of Eternal Perspective Ministries)
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