Can animals go to heaven?

If we can discuss angels, then I guess I'll put this out for discussion, too... I've been thinking about this because a beloved cat of ours recently died. It makes me sad to think of heaven without animals-- they're part of God's creation, too. What do you think?

--DanaK

Frankly, I only know of one instance in the Bible where it refers to animals behaviour and that is somewhere in Genesis. Something about even animals are know for their behavior.

However, nowhere does it give us the idea that animals are who/what JESUS came to die for. Only mankind is made in GOD's own image and JESUS came to this earth in the form of a human being for the express purpose of giving us a way to have an intimate personal salvation relationship with GOD.

I have a feeling our ideas about heaven are quite different from reality and only when we are there will we know what it is actually like. I too would like to believe good animals go to someplace like heaven, but I can't really say I believe they will.

I agree that Jesus came to save mankind, not animals. But I'm not so sure that the animals needed saving . . . perhaps when Man was stained by original sin, he was the only of God's creatures to be so stained. In that case, they would not need saving, would they?

We like to think of ourselves as superior to the animals, but it's just possible that the opposite is true. Jesus said that God knows when each sparrow falls (or something similar). Maybe he knows because they come home to him.

Then again, maybe not. Who knows? We will find out when we get there.

Cheri' < looking forward to seeing her pets on the other side

I remember learning in Sunday School as a child that animals do not go to heaven since they are incapable of sin. I am also familiar with references to animals and the creation in the Bible. I think humans tend to put too much of an emphasis on ourselves, even in our interpretation of the Bible. I agree that heaven is probably quite different from how we imagine it, but I, too, am hoping someday to see my pets there. I have a degree in Religion (and Biology) and especially enjoyed theology, but I don't think we ever had this discussion in my classes. That's why I pose the question here... Thanks for your input!

Have any of you ever heard (or read) the story of The Rainbow Bridge? It makes me cry everytime I read it. It's about how our pets will meet us at the rainbow bridge when we die and go to heaven. Somehow it is comforting to me to know that my pets will be there for me.

No, I've never heard of The Rainbow Bridge. I will certainly look it up. I need some comfort. It's been months since our little Harrison has died, but I still cry when I think about him! Thanks. :)

HI, I am Marcia from Middleton/Madison-WI ~~~~~ Waving HI to Anna-who is close to me in mileage. and belief... my four foots are my family..
For the Rainbow bridge info--you might want to try the Best Friends Animal Shelter webpage.They are a "No Kill" shelter from Kanab,Utah..it is from them that I learned of and believe in --the Rainbow Bridge...Lovely site to visit and I hope to visit the shelter. .
Hope that you enjoy the meaning of the phrase. :)

If animals DON't go to heaven...as Will Rogers said ..."I want to go where they go"!

I agree with Alohahoya2000 - heaven won't be heaven to me without my babies who've crossed over. Doesn't the bible teach that God even looks after the lowliest sparrow - I just have to believe that animals go to heaven.

Yes, I believe that animals do go to heaven . First of all, they are without sin and dont need to be saved. Also, I cant believe that beings capable of such love and devotion would be denied heaven.

Looking forward to seeing my babies again. Charlotte

Maybe the animals are saved as standard, since they are pure in their hearts, and absolutely not responsible for any possible sinful act they would have commited.

My Newfies want to ask God: If a dog barks his head off in the forest and no human hears him, is he still a bad dog?
Animals with so much love in them must go to heaven. I know animals have souls too everytime I look in those loving eyes.

Terminology gets in the way when we speak of soul vs. spirit. We are now being told that the soul is the mind(intellect), emotions, and will. The spirit is what differenciates human beings from all other creation. The spirit part of us is what makes the difference in where we will spend eternity. The Bible says that GOD is a spirit and those who love him must love him in spirit and in truth. I don't see any reference in the Bible to JESUS ministering to groups of animals, plants, insects, etc. I do believe GOD answers prayers from us regarding the needs of our animals. I've seen it happen to many times to not believe that.

I agree that animals, perhaps even insects and reptiles, etc. have intellect, emotions, and will that they can control or be taught to control.

I feel I must lodge a (possibly minority) vote here. Assuming we're not discussing paganism or animism, but sticking with Judeo/Christian (i.e., Biblical) teachings pertaining to souls, animals and heaven, then Genesis 1: 24-1:30 seems pretty clear: God appointed man to have dominion over the mammals, reptiles, birds and fish. To say that your pet is going to heaven would mean that every animal (snakes, lizards, boar hogs, fish, wild birds, etc.) is also going to heaven (there's no way to differentiate between pets vs. domestic/farm animals vs. wild animals - they're all animals.)

In my (most definitely humble) opinion, animals were put here for our responsible use, as are plants that produce grain and fruit for us to eat, and flowers for us to admire and enjoy. We have all become attached to one or more pets in our lifetime - we nurture them, and in return we receive much affection from them; it's natural that we would grieve deeply when they're gone. But our relationship with them doesn't imbue them with a soul. And look at it this way - will it really matter in the end? If you get to heaven and your pets aren't there, are you going to refuse to enter in because you were counting on them being there?

Please understand - I'm not wanting (or willing) to debate this issue with anyone - I'm a firm believer that every person is entitled to (and responsible for) their beliefs. If you consider yourself a Christian, I humbly encourage you to turn to the Bible before you settle any spiritual matter in your own mind - Proverbs 16:25 tells us "There is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof [are] the ways of death." Sometimes the opinions we grab onto seem harmless enough at the time, but it's up to each of us to reconcile what we want to believe to what God's word says. Otherwise, it's like making a tiny turn to the left or right from a given path - unless you correct yourself, eventually you find there's a huge gap between the path and where you are.

Thank you for your view, Terry. I totally agree that everyone is entitled to their beliefs. However, I think I might very well refuse to enter Heaven if I got there and there were no animals. Personally, I haven't really decided whether or not I believe in Heaven, but if it is there, so are my babies:)

Well, I do believe pets go to heaven, otherwise it would be (heaven) , a very boring place.

I'm sure Saint Francis is having a grand time with all his animals.

He, Jesus said ...."on earth as it is in heaven" ....... so I believe my pets will go there.

I love Dogs and I believe they are All very special and psychic animals. In the rescue list I do belong, SAR Dogs we love the Rainbow bridge story.

Here it is!

Rainbow Bridge
Just this side of heaven is a place called Rainbow Bridge.
When an animal dies that has been especially close to someone here,
that pet goes to Rainbow Bridge. There are meadows and hills for all
of our special friends so they can run and play together. There is
plenty of food, water and sunshine, and our friends are warm and
comfortable.
All the animals who had been ill and old are restored to health and
vigor; those who were hurt or maimed are made whole and strong again,
just as we remember them in our dreams of days and times gone by. The
animals are happy and content, except for one small thing; they each
miss someone very special to them, who had to be left behind.
They all run and play together, but the day comes when one suddenly
stops and looks into the distance. His bright eyes are intent; His
eager body quivers. Suddenly he begins to run from the group, flying
over the green grass, his legs carrying him faster and faster.
You have been spotted, and when you and your special friend finally
meet, you cling together in joyous reunion, never to be parted again.
The happy kisses rain upon your face; your hands again caress the
beloved head, and you look once more into the trusting eyes of your
pet, so long gone from your life but never absent from your heart.
Then you cross Rainbow Bridge together....
Author unknown...

Cristina

At the risk of sounding much like one of the people who so oft come to the door trying to assimilate me into their beliefs, (I am a very firm judeo-christian) I do believe that there are a few passages in the Bible that address the animals, ".....where the lion will lay with the lamb....." speaking of the new Earth, this is the one that pops into my head the quickest, and I know there are a few others, and the fact that so many scriptures use animals as an object lesson from whom we need to take a lesson from, I do firmly believe that the animals will go to heaven. Saying that, I also believe that there are some animals who will keep the form that they have now, and some that will change into something that we will at once recognize and not recognize at the same time.....That sounds confusing eh? I don't think snakes will look the way that we see them now, but I do believe kitties will, I believe horses will look the same, and I believe just like in "The Lion the Witch and the Wardrobe" that some horses will be just a bit more special and have wings or some other feature....I also believe that the animals will be able to talk.....remember that Eve did not seem very concerned when the snake began speaking to her, I think, just as C. S. Lewis depicted in his books, that some animals will have speech in Heaven because they lost it here on earth whether through our (Adam and Eve's) sin or for some other reason only known to the Father.

Take the ape that picked up the little boy who fell into the ape habitat at the zoo a few years ago, she cradled him, tried to wake him and when she wasn't able to, took him to the door where she knew the zoo keepers would come for him. She was not trained to do this, she did it because she knew right and wrong.....
We all have stories or have known someone else who has stories similar to that, the animal saved whomever, not out of training, but out of love and intelligence.

Obviously, I believe that pets and all animals will go to Heaven and the new Earth, but I also do not think Heaven will be boring if they are not allowed, I will find so much joy in just being in my Savior's presence that I don't think that the fact of my animal being there or not being there will really affect my all consuming desire to be there!

Just my two cents....
Raven

There was an old Twilight Zone show about a country man who died with his dog. He found himself walking a wooded dirt road with his dog. He came to a gate on the side and a smiling guy who said "Come on in. You have to leave your dog though." He thought about it and said, "I guess I'll just keep walking." A while later he comes to another gate. The smiling guy says, "come on in." He asks, "Can I keep my dog?" The guy says, "Of course, this is heaven."

I have several ideas to add at this point:

Some food for thought from a Christian perspective: "The earth is the Lord's, and the fullness thereof." I Corinthians 10:26 Although the God gives humans dominion over the earth in Genesis, it is also clear that the earth belongs to God. He has entrusted us with His glorious creation. In Genesis One, as God is creating the earth, God repeatedly sees that the earth is good, even before humans were created. In Genesis chapter nine, God makes a covenant not only with Noah, but also every animal on the earth (see verse ten, among others). Revelation 5 says that every creature on heaven and earth, including under the earth and in the sea, will sing glory to God. Also, Revelation 21 speaks of a new heaven and a new earth. As for being saved, the Bible is clear that belief and faith in Jesus Christ is the key to righteousness and salvation, not opinions and interpretations on other matters.

The focus of Christianity is undoubtedly on humans, but I also believe that there is room within Christianity for this discussion. I think the Bible includes what is important for us to know, but if something isn't addressed directly, then we have conversations like this. :)

Cristina, thank you very much for posting the story of the Rainbow Bridge! I enjoyed it a lot, and yes, it made me cry. So for now I'm content in believing that someday I will be reunited with my precious kitty, maybe on the new earth, and we can all (along with St. Francis and his animals, of course!) sing glory to God!

Thanks everyone for your input. I'm enjoying this discussion!

--DanaK

Raven,

Very cool post. You posted while I was writing mine. It was interesting going through Revelation-- there certainly are a lot of references to animals there, and many not in a form we would recognize! And I'm sure if they can sing, they can talk too. That will be interesting. Whatever heaven ends up being like, I'm sure it will be wonderful beyond my imagination.

And along the lines of the story of the ape, there is a book (written by scientists) about animals and emotions. It's called Elephants Weeping. A lady at work is reading it and had shared some of the stories with me. I'm reading it next!

--DanaK

You will have to give us a book review when you are done reading that one..... someone had recommended it to me, but I haven't been able to find it in any used book stores...

Oh hey! I just noticed that you are in Lacey, I moved from Kent down to Yakima, Wa a couple years ago, and now I'm in OR, but I still have some friends in Lacey, nice to meet you!!! Thanks for this post, I have thouroughly enjoyed reading it!!
Raven

Raven--
The book, actually called "When Elephants Weep," can be bought from Amazon.com, new or used. It's nice to meet other "local" people on DG!
--DanaK

At the risk of seeming heathen...heaven to me is a state of "mind"...relative in life. I find all my animals with me and always will. If, when animals die, they go to Pittsburg...that's where I want to be. Never learned to play the harp, but I can throw balls forever...and scratch tummies.

If the animal does not have a soul and a spirit and go to heaven on their own, we will surely take them there in our hearts when we die.

I think the humans cannot quite comprehend what afterlife will be like so we all try to by associating it with what your senses (sight hearing etc) would associate with what is pleasureable. I don't think it will be like it is here on earth-it does not require our bodies-therefore I believe you will not 'visually see' your pet-but I am certain you will recognize each other and that *all* that is good & loving on this planet will most defintely be there together. I have faith in this just as I know God. I know it.

PS-Windy-when you say you will take them with you in your heart-THAT is a part of God-it's love. There is no way that they will not be there! ;0) Love ya!

This message was edited Sep 10, 2004 12:20 PM

I like that idea, Jenks.

Eight years ago, on the 13th of this month, I had to put my cat, Meg to sleep, as her kidneys had failed...I grieved for a long time...I guess I still am. A friend brought me the Rainbow Bridge poem and it made me cry and she was really upset, as she thought it would comfort me...it did, that is why I cried. I just read it again, and I cried again...
I believe much the same as Will Rogers, if my beloved animals are not there, I don't want to go!
I think if a creature can give a person love, they must have a soul...and therefore they are eligable to go to Heaven.
I still grieve for Meg, but it is better. I know that having me say that time will heal your pain, is not what you want to hear right now, but it is true..I have a lot of good memories of my cat, (she lived with me, for 18 years) And I can think of her and smile...but it took a long time.
I will be thinking of you....

Danak, I'm so sorry for the loss of your cat. I can really add no more to what others have written above, except to say that from my experience, the memories you have of Harrison will help to keep him a kitten in your heart. We had our 17 year old cat, Max, put to sleep 4 years ago, and though the decision was hard to make, we knew it was best to end his suffering from recurring kidney failure. Since he was our only pet, we thought it best to fill the house immediately and got Lily and Lupin as 8 week old kittens the next day-we still haven't stopped laughing - for us it was the best cure for our grief. Take care.

Well, I have...and have had....dogs with more character than some humans!

They will be with me in heaven. And there they will be perfect. No messes in the corner...no barking at the squirrels...no jealousy....no hogging the bed....

Seriously, I truly believe they will be there, together with all the humans I love....

Well... since Jesus second coming is going to be on a white horse all I've got to say is YAHOO at least theres horses in heaven!!! :))

I do know that animals are much more complex than we will ever know this side of heaven.

My deepest sympathy to all of you have lost a beloved pet.

In Loving memory of Tango the best little dog I've ever known
Tango we miss you so much!

I dont know enough bible stuff to argue a point (I wasnt raised in a church going home) and like Terry wouldnt want to argue anyway. Everyone is free to search their heart and pray for direction in their beliefs. My pets are so special. If they are that special to me, how special must they be to God. I dont think they required Jesus they already had God in full control of their lives.

What a joyous homecoming I will have with my "good friends" someday in whatever form we take !!!!

charlotte

This thread has gotten me to doing a lot of thinking. If animals are pure and thus automatically go to heaven will we find those that we slaughtered for food or sport in heaven? Or will we not be there because we slaughtered them? How about the well fed cat who catches a bird?

I know people who ge riled because some people raise a special breed of dog for food. These same people will be munching on a different species as they voice their disgust. The French seem to enjoy a good piece of horse flesh and yet I do not hear many people being quite so vocal about those tastes.

No answers, just a lot to wonder about.

Why are we discussing if animals can´t go to heaven? How about PLANTS? They are living beings too, the only difference is that they don´t move as fast :^P

I think anything God made he will not just disgard as we humans sometimes do. If we had the option of keeping things forever, we would! Plants are living creations or they would not grow and germinate from a hard little dried up thing such as a seed.
God has houseplants and we just are here to take care of them because he just did not know when to stop, like we gardeners. How's that Momocromatico. LOL

I like that Windy.

I believe there are different level / nuances of living force: soul.
To me the life force is an intrinsic part of the soul, living. Any living thing that has a life force has to come from the Maker.

When I went to beginner"s Sunday School, the first thing I learned was "Who is God". Answer: God is love.

Later, I learned to sing all the verses of "Jesus Loves Me"

Still later, I learned to say "Our Father, Who art in Heaven"

So, in my simplistic way, I put them all together. God, our Father, and Jesus who loves me, would know that the animals I love should be with me in Heaven. This is a matter of faith that has worked for me since I was a little girl and lost my first pet.
Pati

Some thoughts...
I think when we mortals with our finite peanut brains try to imagine heaven its obviously perceived and limited by our earthly minds and reasoning.
Heaven, the spirit realm is not going to be anything like life here on earth and when in Gods Holy Presence nothing else will matter. Chances are not even the people or animals we loved here on earth will be a concern. I don't know if there are animals in heaven but I do know my Father God is there and thats all that really matters.

Turn you eyes upon Jesus,
Look full into His wonderful face,
And the things of earth will grow strangely dim,
In the light of His glory and grace.
http://www.cyberhymnal.org/htm/t/u/turnyour.htm

I studied this extensively over the past 20 years. Here are a few things you can check out.

First, I prefer to let the bible define its own terms. Also, leaps and bounds are gained when a new testament verse quotes an old testament verse, because that lets scripture use an old testament word define its new testament equivilent.

1. Animals with soul life were created on the fifth day in Genesis 1. It's the work "living creature" and in a concordance you will see that means "soul life".

2. Adam was created next in God's image on the sixth day. God is spirit (John 4:24 God is a Spirit, or just "spirit" since the "a" is added as indicated by italics in King James version. Now Adam was created in God's or spirits image, but "made" a living soul. Adam was not "created" a soul because soul already existed previously on the fifth day. The word "created" means to bring to pass that which never existed before, so since soul did exist a day previous, Adam was created in God's image - that image being spirit. Spirit was not new of course, but what was new was man in spirits image - a spiritual connection.

Anyhow, the verses of the bible show that "soul" or "souls" go to the grave. Grave or "sheol" of the Old Test. is equal to hell or "hades" of the New Test.. It is not a place of fire and suffering as MAN has infiltrated cultural thinking with.

There is a new test. verse with hades that quotes an old test. verse with sheol, making the two terms identical. So to know what hades means, or "grave" in the old test. just get a concordance and look up all the places it's used. Some things the bible teaches is that:

1. All we like sheep are laid in the grave - Psalms
2. There is no remembrance there - the thoughts are perished. Therefore the bible's teaching shows you can't come back from the dead and give witness to what you experienced or witnessed there - no bright lights to give testimony of.

There is much more.

So, all those verses, especially the "all we like sheep" verse, indicate that man and animals to to a resting place when they die. The new test. refers to this as "fallen asleep" which is very appropriate.

This resting place does not involve punishment, nor pain. Animals and man go there. And - it is not heaven.

So I don't know if that helps you. I know of no verse that shows if animals go to heaven. And I never saw a verse that says they have eternal existence.

All I can share is what is written that I found, read and studied. From that, the bible does say animals go to the same resting place as man and as far as I know, it's the soul life category of them that goes there. The body returns to the dust of the ground.

Don't believe me. Feel free to read the verses. I didn't write the book.

If nothing else, you may find it interesting or inspiring to read or study some other aspect.

mdvaden,
Thank you for your explanation. You've introduced some new ideas for me to think about-- I may just have to spend a day doing a mini-study on what you have said. Very interesting! The religion major in me is excited to have a new project...

Your welcome.

By the way, I think I forgot to mention the the words "living creature" in Genesis 1:21 and "living soul" in 2:7 are the same identical word.

When I reread my post, I could see it was a bit scattered. It's a big subject hurriedly condensed into a tiny memo.

One other verse that is relative to this indirectly is the verse:


Isaiah 43:7
Even every one that is called by my name: for I have created him for my glory, I have formed him; yea, I have made him.

Note the 3 things - formed referring to the body of the dust of the ground, "made" referring to making him a living soul, and created referring to creating in His (God's) image which John 4:24 places in the category of spirit.

This can open several avenues of reading. For example, in what category did Adam "surely die". He and Eve still had bodies and breath or soul life after they first sinned. So that leaves plenty of focus on the spirit or spiritual category.

Then later in the old test., we see David requesting that the spirit not be taken from him. Saul had spirit - and the spiritual connection - removed from him (specifically stated). And Elisha was given a double portion of spirit on him that Elijah had - and the scripture records exactly twice as many miracles performed by Elijah.

So the spirit, after Adam, was a separate category that fluctuated until the day of Pentecost. Some people had it, some lost it, some had more than others.

Well, I better not get too long winded on this one!

I know its not easy for all bible reading people to agree on all sections of scripture, but I sure wish more people in this country would at least believe the basic morals and ethics contained therein.