Do Animals Go to Heaven? (Full Version)

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genla -> Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/29/2008 12:55:05 AM)

A nagging question. I would be pretty upset with God if animals didn't get to go to heaven. What do you think?



1love1God1way -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/29/2008 1:47:49 AM)

Why would you be upset with God about that?

Does God lie when He speaks about how perfect heaven will be?

Are animals a requirement for joy in heaven?

When you're standing before the Holy of Holies, I feel like puppy dogs will be the furthest thing from your mind.

I don't know if animals are in heaven, but I do know that it just doesn't make that much difference.



WesP -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/29/2008 9:57:15 AM)

We know that animals do not have souls, so why should we think they should go to heaven? I cannot say that there will not be animals in heaven, but I doubt that our pets are written in the roster.



abraxas -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/29/2008 10:19:22 AM)

I sometimes look at this from a different angle. I live near a big city of a developing country, and every day I pass more stray dogs than I can count. Some manage to find their place, but most live terrible lives. Some have almost no fur, some have broken bones. They're born into a miserable life in a world that doesn't have any place for them.

Not just dogs of course. Cats, whatever. Livestock animals often have their own hell as well.

I find myself HOPING that they go to a really good place. A righting of the wrongs. I know that at the end of it all it wouldn't really matter if they did simply not exist, but when I see them I do hope they get something better.



stellaluna -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/29/2008 11:29:34 AM)

I don't think it's too out there to think there will be animals in heaven, but all of them? No.



1love1God1way -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/29/2008 1:44:12 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: stellaluna

I don't think it's too out there to think there will be animals in heaven, but all of them? No.


But, is it that animals here on earth are resurrected. . . or do we just get whole new ones in heaven?

My dog died last week. Assuming she accept Christ as her savior. . . . [8|]

Is she in heaven?



Ephesians4_32 -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/30/2008 11:16:41 AM)

I don't think it matters at all. Remember how Mary sat at the feet of Jesus while Martha was busy with household chores? When I see Jesus, I won't have the desire to play with animals, will I?

But I think there is a possibilty that God will have animals in heaven:

Ephesians 1:9-10 (NIV)
And he[a] made known to us the mystery of his will according to his good pleasure, which he purposed in Christ, to be put into effect when the times will have reached their fulfillment—to bring all things in heaven and on earth together under one head, even Christ.



Ephesians4_32 -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/30/2008 11:21:03 AM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: abraxas

I sometimes look at this from a different angle. I live near a big city of a developing country, and every day I pass more stray dogs than I can count. Some manage to find their place, but most live terrible lives. Some have almost no fur, some have broken bones. They're born into a miserable life in a world that doesn't have any place for them.

Not just dogs of course. Cats, whatever. Livestock animals often have their own hell as well.

I find myself HOPING that they go to a really good place. A righting of the wrongs. I know that at the end of it all it wouldn't really matter if they did simply not exist, but when I see them I do hope they get something better.


I'm thinking that there might be new animals. Or do you think trees and flowers and weeds get resurrected, too? I use Weed-B-Gone.



WesP -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/30/2008 1:31:43 PM)

quote:

I'm thinking that there might be new animals. Or do you think trees and flowers and weeds get resurrected, too? I use Weed-B-Gone.


[sm=icon_smile_yikes.gif]

Dandelions should have rights, too!!! [sm=crystreams.gif]



abraxas -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/30/2008 8:42:31 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ephesians4_32
I'm thinking that there might be new animals. Or do you think trees and flowers and weeds get resurrected, too? I use Weed-B-Gone.


I'm not concerned about death per se, or even animals being eaten. I feel bad about the suffering that goes on when they're alive. I really have no idea what comes after this life, it's just wishful thinking.



Ephesians4_32 -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (4/30/2008 9:13:38 PM)

quote:

ORIGINAL: abraxas

quote:

ORIGINAL: Ephesians4_32
I'm thinking that there might be new animals. Or do you think trees and flowers and weeds get resurrected, too? I use Weed-B-Gone.


I'm not concerned about death per se, or even animals being eaten. I feel bad about the suffering that goes on when they're alive. I really have no idea what comes after this life, it's just wishful thinking.


I believe we should be kind to animals. And, yes, it's okay to eat meat.

Proverbs 12
10 A righteous man has regard for the life of his beast, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.



PaleHawkWoman -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (5/1/2008 12:30:12 AM)

If you remember, we resurrected humans get to live on the New Earth, the one that was meant to be before sin entered the picture and Creation was desecrated. If He made animals and plants in the beginning when the Earth was new and unspoiled by sin, and made them because it pleased Him to do so, and if this earth we have now is but a dim shadow of what had been made in the beginning and what is to be restored at the 2nd Coming, then doesn't it make sense that the plants and animals will be there as well, restored to the glory that He made them with in the beginning?

Besides, who is any of us to say what will and won't be in heaven? God does as He pleases and I don't remember Him needing our advice or opnions as to what ought or ought not to be in His realm. Personally I hope there are all kinds of animals and plants in Heaven and on the New Earth. If they give us so much pleasure in this life, why wouldn't they be present in the next?

If anyone thinks all Heaven is is us all sitting around all day then maybe they need to think again. There's a whole universe out there and the 2nd coming and restoration for this earth is not the be-all and end-all of creation. I think He has work for us to do once He has remade us when we can see Him face to face and hear Him clearly with our own ears. I really hope to have the chance to roll up my sleeves and work side by side with those who have passed before me, and with the angels and other heavenly hosts. As much as I love gardening and working the soil, I hope I get to do that when the New Earth is here, and what better way to spend my days in eternity than with the Master Gardener?



Doghouse -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (5/4/2008 6:37:16 AM)

I don't believe animals go to heaven, but...

If a facet of the infinite love of God is manifested to you in your pet, you may see your pet in heaven.

Your dog doesn't really love you - you interpret his actions that way because you are a human and possess this talent. Your dog is actually treating you like a pack leader, and wants to continue to be fed by your seemingly infinite capacity to get food, which impresses your dog beyond measure...



Consecrated2God -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (5/4/2008 7:51:19 AM)

quote:

If you remember, we resurrected humans get to live on the New Earth, the one that was meant to be before sin entered the picture and Creation was desecrated. If He made animals and plants in the beginning when the Earth was new and unspoiled by sin, and made them because it pleased Him to do so, and if this earth we have now is but a dim shadow of what had been made in the beginning and what is to be restored at the 2nd Coming, then doesn't it make sense that the plants and animals will be there as well, restored to the glory that He made them with in the beginning?


I agree with this.

I do believe there will be animals in Heaven. I don't know if they will be the same animals here on earth, or new ones, but I think they will be there. There are verses in the Bible about Heaven that talk about the lion laying down next the lamb, and child putting his hand in the snake's hole and not being bitten. Even Jesus comes riding on a white horse.

I also don't think it's necessary for something to have a soul to be taken to Heaven. After all, the Tree of Life is in Heaven, and it used to be in the Garden of Eden. I bet it doesn't have to have a soul.

I hope not all animals are in Heaven, though. Mosquitoes can go to the other place, as far as I'm concerned.



SovereignIsHe -> RE: Do Animals Go to Heaven? (5/4/2008 5:24:16 PM)

Who knows...

Though if we look at the the Flood and who/what was on the Ark it might be interesting to ponder...

John



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