Do animals go to heaven?

I was asked the question: “Do animals go to heaven?” I want to ask you your opinion on whether or not you think animals go to heaven. I mean, they don't have a soul. But they have such personality and they are so loving and smart.

What is your take on this? I just would like to know if you have an opinion.

I was asked this question. I say that our pets are so important to us that we would like to think they will be in heaven. No one knows, but I have gone to some sources to find out other people's opinions on this. I will add some of their comments here. But first, I would like to tell you what I think:

I always think that HEAVEN is like a gift package, something like what you would see under your Christmas tree at Christmas time.  Under the tree is this most beautiful dazzling package. It is so beautiful that you want to leave it until the last. You are curious as to what is inside, but you can't open it yet. It isn't time ... An unbelievable present is inside. It is a surprise. But you can't open it yet. When you are allowed to open it (when God's time is right) you will not be able to believe your eyes. It will be beyond any expectation you could ever imagine … You will no doubt see all the loved ones who have gone before you. That we know. That is mentioned in the Bible. But as well as that there will be so many surprises that you will be breathless. Will our pets be there waiting for us, as many believe? Well, that is going to be one of the surprises ... All we know is that God does all things well. He has and is preparing a place for us to dwell with Him forever. It will be like a place that our human minds cannot comprehend. It is God's surprise for us ... like the package under the Christmas tree.

We do know, though that God created animals, and it is not animals that sinned and messed up the world. It was man. It is not animals who need to be redeemed because of their sin, it is man. It is not animals for whom Christ died. It was man. God's command to us is that we must tell MAN about His salvation. The message is for MAN, not animals .. 

God is a loving God. He created animals for our pleasure, so as to whether or not our own personal pets will be with us in heaven, we will just have to wait and see. Whatever is there for us, we will not be disappointed. And if our pets are not there, there will be a much better substitute. And our own personal pets, who have meant so much to us here on earth, will have served their MASTER (God) well, and they will have their own reward. Only God knows the answer to this question. It is up to us to love and protect everything God has put into our care.

That was MY opinion. Now, if you want to read further, here are a couple of links that you could follow. Just click on them and read about it. But I have copied a couple of paragraphs from the link. Please click on the link for the full account … Helen

1 – http://www.woodhavenlabs.com/animals-heaven3.html  

- “Will There Be Animals in Heaven?It’s interesting to me that I have been asked about animals in heaven many times by people of all ages. This issue stirs up a great deal of emotion for those who deeply love their pets.

Questions about whether or not we'll see our pets in heaven should not be our focus. Indeed, when we make it there, it may not even cross our minds. The Lamb of God will be our focus. However, this does not mean that we will not enjoy one another and the beauty of the heavenly paradise. And part of this beauty and enjoyment may include our pets from here on earth.”  Mark Hitchcock

2 – http://www.answers2prayer.org/bible_questions/Answers/animals/pets.html

 - What the Bible Says about Animals in Heaven

“I have no doubt that our loving heavenly Father can resurrect our pets and make them part of our happiness in heaven.  However, the Bible does not give any references to this, as the Bible was written for the salvation of mankind.  (After all, something written for animals wouldn't do a lot of good when the animals can't read!!)

Sin came on this earth through man, not through animals. The animals are but innocent by-standers.  Rom 5:12: Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned NIV” - Rob Chaffart

Helen Dowd

March 2013

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