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Do Animals go to heaven - 9/23/2007 10:57:10 PM
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RiseFromTheAshes
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Ok, so 5 weeks ago my precious Golden Retriever got hit and killed by a car. My question is did he go to heaven? I have often wondered this. His death has been very hard for me as I have major trust issues and I could trust my dog, over people. So my love for him was 100 percent where with people its not. I have to save a little for me so if I get hurt i can deal with it. Through my dogs death I learned what God's unconditional love was. I relized that my dog loved me no matter what, no matter what I did or how I felt, or how moody I was he loved me completely, without limits. He was all about me, and I relize that God is like that also. He loves us without limits completely. I couldnt grasp that until my Dog died so I really need to know if hes in heaven.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 7:09:10 AM
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DaveW
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This is not a subject even addressed by scripture.
We really have no way to know. It would be foolish to make up an answer when none is there.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 7:22:17 AM
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Ephesians4_32
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quote:
ORIGINAL: DaveW
This is not a subject even addressed by scripture.
We really have no way to know. It would be foolish to make up an answer when none is there.
I agree. We'll have to wait and see.
Luke 10
40But Martha was cumbered about much serving, and came to him, and said, Lord, dost thou not care that my sister hath left me to serve alone? bid her therefore that she help me.
41And Jesus answered and said unto her, Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things:
42But one thing is needful: and Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.
1 Corinthians 2
9But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love him
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 9:16:24 AM
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zerblig
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I personally believe the Bible teaches that God created only man to be in His image, and to have an eternal spirit. But that said, the best explanation I ever heard on this question was a story a pastor told. He said an elderly woman had gone to her pastor after her only companion, a small dog, had died, and asked this very thing. After considering it, he gave this wise reply: "Ma'am, if when you get to Heaven you still wish to see your little dog, I am certain he will be there."
And that's really all there is to it.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 12:13:03 PM
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guitarmark
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quote:
ORIGINAL: zerblig
I personally believe the Bible teaches that God created only man to be in His image, and to have an eternal spirit. But that said, the best explanation I ever heard on this question was a story a pastor told. He said an elderly woman had gone to her pastor after her only companion, a small dog, had died, and asked this very thing. After considering it, he gave this wise reply: "Ma'am, if when you get to Heaven you still wish to see your little dog, I am certain he will be there."
Very nice story - and I'm sure that it was very comforting to the woman at that time in her life... I'm impressed with the wise responses some people come up with!
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Open-minded discussions about life, love and fun - based on Godly principles, yet decidedly free from gratuitous quoting of Scripture. This is my promise to refrain from typing Bible verses at you…
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 1:08:41 PM
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daleklord
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We know horses are going to be in Heaven
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 1:24:49 PM
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moon_mouse
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The Bible doesn't adress this directly, but I believe there are indications to hope that animals do have some part in God's plan for eternity. We see verses that say that all creation awaits the coming of the savior (Romans 8 being a good example). Images of Heaven and the New Earth are full of references to all kinds of animals. Animals are spoken of as being good, loved, provided for, and watched over by God while on this earth. It only makes sense that a God that created the animals, provided for their life here on Earth, and gifted us with the capacity to form emotionally valuable relationships with them would provide for some sort of existance after their death.
The verse I have seen to try to refute this has been Ecclesiastes 3:21:
"Who knows if the spirit of man rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
But, if you look at the contex of the verse, it is in a chapter speaking of God's power and knowledge and the fleeting nature of life. It's a rhetorical question, and the answer is that no one but God knows.
I recognize that it is impossible to know for certain, but I sincerely believe that the indications of Scripture and what it says about the nature of God indicate a strong possibility that animals are included in His eternal plan.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 11:13:42 PM
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9drtr
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Animals are incapable of sin, incapable of seperation from God. If they are eternal, they can't go anywhere but Heaven.
Personally, I fully expect to meet dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, elephants, chipmonks, moose, and everything else that is part of God's creation in Heaven.
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When we know who is coming, how can we worry about what is coming? When the last hour belongs to us, how can we worry about the next minute?
Ross Crighton
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/24/2007 11:41:26 PM
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disciples12
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I have often wondered if there will be cats, and dogs and the like in heaven. I think of it this way...as we are here in the flesh on earth it matters, when we get there in heaven it will not matter. What will matter will be seeing the Lord Jesus, the Anointed One. After seeing Him everything else will fade to the background. There will be no tears, fears, sorrow, or missing this or that. I am kind of hoping we will see our pets, but it will not be the one thing that will be necessary to bring me great joy in heaven.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/25/2007 7:33:19 AM
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SonInMe1
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Our perceptions will radically change when we are no longer carnal beings.
I am not sure relationships with animals will have any part of our exisitance in heaven.
Remember we won't be married...the basic relationship we have now will be radically changed.
The pastor said...if you want your dog in heaven it will be there....I don't think we will want them.
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You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/25/2007 1:57:28 PM
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frodosride
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It does say in the bible that the lion shall lay next to the lamb. Personally, I can't believe that our merciful Lord would give me a terrific love for cats and other creatures and then withold them from me in heaven. That is how I get through the deaths of my beloved pets. My pets are prayed over, hear the family pray and listen to christian music, I wonder if that makes a difference?
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/25/2007 2:16:38 PM
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ta_mosquito
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Honestly, I've loved all my pets, but I don't care if they are in heaven or not.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/25/2007 8:44:20 PM
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joannepir
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I had a wonderful dog, Scooby, who was hit by a car and died. She was so neat - always carefree, chasing butterflies and bees. It always comforted me to think about Scooby up in heaven chasing butterflies. Who knows if its true, but its comforting anyway.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/27/2007 10:46:11 AM
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gejordan
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I had a child ask me this question in VBS this year.... Will there be animals in heaven????
I had pondered this question before , so I answered this way:
When God saw fit to make man, he first made a place for him to live. He made the heavens, the seas, the land, plants, trees, and animals... both of the sea and on the land.... then he placed man on the earth and gave man dominion of the earth.
He made animals very important to man, so important, that he had man name each and every animal...
If animals were that important to God, that he gave them to man to keep them safe...and to make earth a more beautiful place because of them, then I believe with all of my heart that there will be animals in heaven.
I can't see a beautiful place with rivers of life,,,, trees with different fruits on them,,,, streets of gold etc... without the song of birds,,, the love of cats and dogs,,,, the beauty of a mother doe and her fawn getting a drink from a sparkling brook, or the sounds of summer night bugs, like crickets etc.
As far as your special pet being there,,,, no biblical evidence, but as the preacher said... if after you get to heaven, you need to see your pet,,,, I imagine he will be there....
  
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/27/2007 11:18:08 PM
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RiseFromTheAshes
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From: Ohio
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quote:
ORIGINAL: gejordan
I had a child ask me this question in VBS this year.... Will there be animals in heaven????
I had pondered this question before , so I answered this way:
When God saw fit to make man, he first made a place for him to live. He made the heavens, the seas, the land, plants, trees, and animals... both of the sea and on the land.... then he placed man on the earth and gave man dominion of the earth.
He made animals very important to man, so important, that he had man name each and every animal...
If animals were that important to God, that he gave them to man to keep them safe...and to make earth a more beautiful place because of them, then I believe with all of my heart that there will be animals in heaven.
I can't see a beautiful place with rivers of life,,,, trees with different fruits on them,,,, streets of gold etc... without the song of birds,,, the love of cats and dogs,,,, the beauty of a mother doe and her fawn getting a drink from a sparkling brook, or the sounds of summer night bugs, like crickets etc.
As far as your special pet being there,,,, no biblical evidence, but as the preacher said... if after you get to heaven, you need to see your pet,,,, I imagine he will be there....
Thank you that was a really nice reply.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/28/2007 7:51:37 AM
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SonInMe1
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Sure....when they confess Jesus as Lord. exhibit fruits of the spirit and spiritual gifts.
Tithe?
Love others more than yourself?
Propheci?
Evangilize?
What is it that makes you think your pet...is christian?
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/28/2007 9:47:05 AM
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moon_mouse
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I don't think my pet is Christian, because she doesn't need to be. The only reason humans need to confess Jesus as Lord is that we sined and fell from God. We fell because Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The animals never ate from the Tree, thus they have no ability to rebell against God, thus they have no need of salvation. While they cannot have the same relationship with God as we do, since they are not created in God's image, they do have one advantage. They are, always have, and always will, lead their lives completely according to His will for them.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/28/2007 10:00:11 AM
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oldmethuselah
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quote:
ORIGINAL: moon_mouse
I don't think my pet is Christian, because she doesn't need to be. The only reason humans need to confess Jesus as Lord is that we sined and fell from God. We fell because Adam and Eve ate from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. The animals never ate from the Tree, thus they have no ability to rebell against God, thus they have no need of salvation. While they cannot have the same relationship with God as we do, since they are not created in God's image, they do have one advantage. They are, always have, and always will, lead their lives completely according to His will for them.
Moon_Mouse... you put me in mind of an important distinctive - men are IMMORAL - animals are AMORAL
Thus a lion, though ripping open the belly of a zebra, is not doing a wicked thing.
Actually, C.S. Lewis's wrote a trilogy of books about how the REST of the universe SINGS and REJOICES in harmony with God, and, only our sin sick planet is the exception.
I think there is a scriptural allusion to this as well - something about our creation 'groaning under the weight' of our sin.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/28/2007 10:13:55 AM
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breanne
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quote:
ORIGINAL: 9drtr
Animals are incapable of sin, incapable of seperation from God. If they are eternal, they can't go anywhere but Heaven.
Personally, I fully expect to meet dogs, cats, horses, donkeys, elephants, chipmonks, moose, and everything else that is part of God's creation in Heaven.
I agree with that and believe with that completely too. Even though I as well wonder if I'll see my deceased pets in Heaven, I hope to. There actually is a scripture that makes me feel hopeful that animals go to heaven:
Psa 104:21 The young lions roar after their prey And seek their food from God.
They seek their food from God. That means, in my sense, that the young lions, or overall any animal, knows that God exists and knows that they can count on Him to provide them nourishment. I think that scripture gives me the comfort to know that animals know who the creator is and will eventually be in heaven.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/28/2007 3:30:42 PM
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rrtt11
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From: Colorado Springs
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quote:
What is it that makes you think your pet...is christian?
The only beings capable of sin are humans and fallen angels.
Animals do exactly as God wants them to.
The way I see it is that the New Earth is an improved garden of Eden. There were certainly all kinds of animals in the Garden.
Man was given dominion over animals and also an innate affection for them. Logically their will be animals on the new earth.
Also, everything good comes from God. The companionship of an animal is good and I could see the resurrection of a pet in heaven as a great gift from God and entirely possible.
_____________________________
1Co 10:13 No trial has overtaken you that is not faced by others.9 And God is faithful: He10 will not let you be tried beyond what you are able to bear,11 but with the trial will also provide a way out so that you may be able to endure it.
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RE: Do Animals go to heaven - 9/28/2007 9:37:02 PM
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SonInMe1
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Animals are instinctual.
Humans are spiritual.
What goes to heaven?
Will any carnality be in heaven?
Animals by their instintual non-spiritual nature are carnal. Completely of the flesh. Seeking the flesh at all times. They do not seek anything of the Spirit.
I would not worry about missing your pet in heaven. If we will not miss our unsaved relatives and friends, I am sure we will not miss our pets.
_____________________________
You adulterous people, don't you know that friendship with the world is hatred toward God? Anyone who chooses to be a friend of the world becomes an enemy of God.
James 4:4
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