Do Pets go to Heaven?

[roman8]

This is something that I have wondered about . It may seem like a silly question to some but I would really like to know . I have 2 dogs and I adore them , they are my best buddies . Is there any scripture that says that the animals will go to heaven when the pass on ?

[eahaddix]

My wife and I have two cats who are named Duchess and Ladybug Bobcat (3 pics below; middle pic: Ladybug, right pic: Duchess). We love our two critters.

Unfortunately, the Bible is completely silent about this issue. In the Book of Ecclesiastes, Solomon states that man and animal share the same fate of physical death (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%203:18-20;&version=31;)), yet leaves the question of their ultimate fate unanswered (Ecclesiastes 3:21 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Ecclesiastes%203:21;&version=31;)). However, despite this, Biblical Scripture does imply that there are some "supernatural animals" in heaven (i.e. 2 Kings 2:11 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=2%20Kings%202:11;&version=31;), Revelation 19:11-15 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Revelation%2019:11-15;&version=31;)).

Man was created in the "image (http://www.studylight.org/lex/heb/view.cgi?number=06754)" and "likeness (http://www.studylight.org/lex/heb/view.cgi?number=01823)" of Elohiym (http://www.studylight.org/lex/heb/view.cgi?number=0430) (Genesis 1:26-28 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=Genesis%201:26-28;&version=31;) [Hebrew (http://www.studylight.org/isb/bible.cgi?query=Genesis+1%3A26-28&section=0&it=kjv&ot=bhs&nt=na)]), while animals were not created as such. Based on this distinction, the traditional viewpoint asserts that the tripartite nature of man (ref. 1 Thessalonians 5:23 (http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=1%20Thessalonians%205:23;&version=31;)) reflects the Trinitarian nature of Elohiym (http://www.studylight.org/lex/heb/view.cgi?number=0430), thereby inherently excluding animals from possessing an immortal spirit. And, without an immortal spirit, a creature does not possess any immortal element of being.

However, while I agree with this line of thinking initially, I cannot accept the conclusion that the spirit is the only immortal element of any creature. Specifically, such a viewpoint inherently defines "consciousness" and "mind" as a matrix of "electrical impulses," which "dissolves" into "thin air" without a body to carry it, as does the naturalistic viewpoint. However, there is no Biblical Scripture to support this viewpoint.

After everything is said and done, I, personally, find the annihilation of animals' existence at their death a bit harsh. Animals, such as dogs and cats, are innocent personalities. However, at the same time, I cannot use my emotional reactions and intellectual bias as an impetus to twist Biblical truth. The truth is the truth, not a democratically elected thing.

[roman8]

Thank you for your reply . I love my dogs , infact I love all animals and would like to believe they live on. I wonder because in the Old Test people would sacrifice animals and transfer there sins on to them , does that not imply that animals are innocent and and also have a immortal spirit? Or am I just confused.

[InTheWind]

We know at the second coming Christ will be riding a horse so there must be spiritual animals in heaven. We also know that Enoch was taken up in human form and awaits to be returned in human forum as one of the witnesses so we know that`s possible.
And arn`t we to believe that Noah represents the rapture, well the animals were taken up off the earth and saved right.

[CoreIssue]

I love animals as well.

But you need to think this through.

When we die our bodies go to the ground and our spirits to God, or Hell, as is appropriate.

Adam's body was formed from the ground, not spiritual.

Adam's spirit was directly from God, not the ground.

Animals never had a spirit breathed into them. Thus when they die their bodies return to the ground and there is nothing to go to God.

Obviously, if God wants to reconstitute animals, he can do so. But there is no eternal component of an animal that lives on. No spirit.

Being able to think does not constitute an eternal atrribute. There are computer programs out there that are far smarter than animals and, as animals, have limited learning abilities.

Christ riding a horse at his return does not mean it is an animal. Could be an angel.

We don't know. And this kind of speculation, out or desire, is what has led to many false doctrines and cults.

Best position to take is that we hope they will be there, but don't know.

Remember, a lot of things valued here will not be of any important or existence in Heaven, as in roles of wife, husband, father, mother, son, daughter and more.

[CTZonEdit]

I would think that if we requested God would bring your our pets back, but only if it fit in with His plan. I too have pets that I will surely miss.

I think once we see the plan and are with Him that desire may be lost or replaced with something even better!

Remember we will shed no tears for the loss of this world. No sorrow or pain. If the longing for our pets was to cause us such pain I know God will fill that void somehow. We must trust in that and have faith.

[InTheWind]

Something else that we have to remember is if the rapture happened today we will be coming back too the earth with Jesus and living with flesh humans and animals for a thousand years.