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Featured Animals in heaven?

Discussion in 'Other Christian Denominations' started by Michael Wrenn, Mar 25, 2012.

  1. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    What are your opinions on this? Do you think there will be animals in heaven? Why or why not?
     
  2. Melanie

    Melanie Active Member
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    It is hoped that it will be the case but animals do not have souls.

    They are a part of the good God's creation as are the trees and flowers etc, so I believe that when they die they return to the Maker. This may be sentimental on my part, and certainly there is no theological basis....but it is to be hoped:flower:

    Widening the discussion would be what will Heaven be like? For every person there will be a differing expression of Heaven. I do know there will be no grief nor discord....
     
  3. convicted1

    convicted1 Guest

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    Personally, I do not think that they will go to heaven when they die. We have the sweetest Chinese Pug, Lexie, at the house, that doesn't seem to have the first "ill" thought towards anyone. If any animal made it to heaven, it would be her. That being said, when she leaves us-she's almost 4 now, so hopefully that will be 8-10 healthy years down the road-, I do not think she will go anywhere but the ground.


    I think we'll be too busy singing, shouting, praising, and thanking our King for saving us, and taking us home to heaven to worry about the precious pets we were blessed to have while we lived here on earth. But I would be elated to see Lexie there with me....Tracy is lost and I pray that she is saved before she leaves this world.
     
  4. Earth Wind and Fire

    Earth Wind and Fire Well-Known Member
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    If God wills it.... they are his creations too.
     
  5. billwald

    billwald New Member

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    Dogs, not cats. Never heard anyone claim a cat was their best friend.
     
  6. plain_n_simple

    plain_n_simple Active Member

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    An animals spirit goes back into the earth.
     
  7. Scarlett O.

    Scarlett O. Moderator
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    Well, all I can offer is to consider the book of Job.

    When Job’s story began he had the following:
    • 7,000 sheep
    • 3,000 camels
    • 500 oxen
    • 500 donkeys
    • 7 sons and 3 daughters
    At the end of the book of Job the Bible says that God blessed Job more at the latter part of his life than the first and restored unto him twice what he had.

    Then it says Job had
    • 14,000 sheep
    • 6,000 camels
    • 1,000 oxen
    • 1,000 donkeys and ......
    • …… 7 sons and 3 daughters
    I have heard some say that this is evidence that animals do not go to heaven. For Job to get 14,000 camels and say that this was twice what he had meant that the original 7,000 were no more - not on earth nor heaven. For him to have 7 sons and 3 daughters at the end and for this to be twice what he had before meant that the original 7 sons and 3 daughters were with God and would be with Job again. He still had 20 sons and daughters. It's just that 10 of them were with God.
     
  8. plain_n_simple

    plain_n_simple Active Member

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    Ecclesiastes 3

    21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
     
  9. saturneptune

    saturneptune New Member

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    Thanks for posting that verse. I never noticed that before, and we are studying Ecclesiastes on Wednesdays. I agree with you. I love pets, as we have a dog, a cat, and eight birds. They each have a personality and are a joy to be around. However, to me, they are the Lord's blessing on this earth.
     
  10. plain_n_simple

    plain_n_simple Active Member

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    They truly are a blessing. I found the verse after my daughter asked me, and I had no idea either.
     
  11. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    I believe there will be animals in heaven. Places in Revelation suggest it. Also, one of my favorite and personally significant passages does, too -- Romans 8:18-23.
     
  12. plain_n_simple

    plain_n_simple Active Member

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    Interesting take on the Romans teaching, where in Revelation are you talking about?
     
  13. Arbo

    Arbo Active Member
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  14. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    what about the child playing next to the Snake's hole without being in danger?

    and the lion sleeping next to it's former predator?
     
  15. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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  16. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    Revelation Chapter 6, the "Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse" imagery, and 19:11

    Could be considered symbolic imagery only, or taken literally. Either way, it suggests animals in a spiritual dimension.

    But I do believe that in Romans 8:18-23, God promises that the whole creation -- and that would include the animal world -- will share in the redemption from death and decay that Jesus provides for us. There were animals with Adam and Eve before the Fall --before death -- also.

    These things cause me to believe that there will be animals in the next life -- either/or in the new heaven and new earth.
     
    #16 Michael Wrenn, Mar 25, 2012
    Last edited by a moderator: Mar 25, 2012
  17. Michael Wrenn

    Michael Wrenn New Member

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    The concept of animals in the afterlife is given more prominence in other religions; I never could understand why it seemed neglected in Christianity.

    John Wesley believed it, so I guess I'm in good company. :)
     
  18. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    I believe that the situation 12strings is referring to (see Isaiah 11:6-9 for the full citation) is more likely referring to what conditions will be like here on earth during Christ's 1,000-year reign.

    This is not to say that there will not be animal creatures in heaven. Maybe there will be. Passages in Revelation seem to bear this out. OTOH, I'm not sure that if there will be animal creatures in heaven that they will be just like those we now see here on earth.
     
  19. 12strings

    12strings Active Member

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    What if you're an a-millenialist!!! :laugh:
     
  20. ktn4eg

    ktn4eg New Member

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    Then you're outta luck!! :smilewinkgrin:
     
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