Do Pets Go to Heaven?
This expert summary provides an in-depth analysis of the biblical arguments and theological considerations surrounding the heartfelt question: Do pets and animals go to heaven, and will believers see their beloved companions again? Drawing on scriptural references and theological debate, the discussion explores the nature of animal existence, God’s love for creation, and the importance of faith in the unknown aspects of eternity.
I. The Foundational Question: Do Animals Have Souls?
The biggest theological objection against animals entering heaven rests on the premise that heaven is reserved for redeemed souls for believers, and animals cannot believe the gospel.
- Difference in Life: The word for “soul” when God breathes life into human beings is different than the kind of life that an animal has.
- Sin and Salvation: Animals are not understood to be sinning against God, nor do they need to be saved or believe the gospel in the sense that humans do.
- Image of God: The critical distinction is that humans are made in the image of God, and animals are not. Jesus came to redeem those made in the image of God.
- Hierarchical Order: There is a defined hierarchy between animals and humans. Animals are here to provide for humans, not the reverse.
However, the sources note that animals definitely have personalities. This raises a subsequent question: if angels do not have the same kind of soul as humans, yet reside in heaven, then there are already different kinds of souls in heaven.
II. Biblical Evidence for Animals in Eternity
While no scripture definitively states that pets will be in heaven, several biblical references and arguments provide grounds for the hope that animals will be included in the afterlife.
1. Animals in Heaven Imagery
Only limited references suggest animals might reside in heaven itself:
- Revelation 19:11 describes “heaven opened and behold a white horse” carrying the one called Faithful and True. This imagery raises the question of whether this is a literal white horse residing in heaven or a metaphorical representation.
- Other animal imagery, such as the locusts that swarm out of the pit, also exists in the Book of Revelation.
2. Animals in the New Heavens and New Earth
More substantial evidence points to the inclusion of animals in the new heavens and the new earth.
- Isaiah 11:6 references a future time where “the wolf and the lamb will live together,” and “the leopard will lie down with the baby goat,” suggesting a peaceful coexistence.
- Context is Key: It is important to distinguish between “heaven” (the current dwelling place of God and believers) and the “new heavens and the new earth,” which are separate concepts.
3. God’s Value of Animals
God clearly demonstrates that He loves and values animals:
- Original Creation: In the Garden of Eden, God created animals and said it was “good”.
- Preservation During the Flood: God preserved two of every kind of animal on the ark, not just Noah and his family, specifically for the preservation of animals because He values them.
- Absence of Corruption: When the flood occurred, the hearts of men were corrupted, but the hearts of the animals were not.
4. The Role of Animals in Redemption
Animals were central to the entire redemptive story of the Bible:
- Atonement: The shedding of animal blood (bulls, goats, sheep) was central and essential to the Jewish people for thousands of years for the forgiveness of sins, until Jesus, the Lamb of God, became the final sacrifice.
- Restoration Hope: The question is raised: If animal sacrifice was required for atonement in our fallen state, is it possible that God could restore animals together with us in our redemption for all eternity?.
- Divine Imagery: God used animals to describe Himself and His people, calling us sheep, and identifying Jesus as the Good Shepherd, the Lion of the Tribe of Judah, and the Lamb of God.
III. Animals as Crucial Elements in Biblical Narrative
The creation and gospel narratives cannot be told without referencing animals:
- Genesis: The devil took the form of a serpent in Genesis.
- Plagues of Egypt: God used animals like gnats and frogs to accomplish His will against Pharaoh.
- Prophetic Sustenance: Elijah was fed twice a day by a raven.
- Divine Intervention: Jonah was swallowed by a large sea creature, and Balam’s donkey spoke to him, demonstrating God’s power.
- Baptism: The Holy Spirit descended in the form of a dove when Jesus was baptized.
IV. The Ultimate Conclusion: Trusting God’s Perfection
The sources agree that the scriptures do not definitively tell us whether animals will be in heaven.
- Hopeful Grounds: The arguments for their inclusion are based on the hope derived from God’s love, creation, and the importance of animals in redemptive history.
- Trust in Perfection: Ultimately, believers must trust that God is perfect and without error. Our love for animals was something that God placed into our hearts, and He chose to make animals “rock stars and heroes in the story of scripture”.
- Focus on the Unknown: While we look at eternity “through a glass dimly” now, we must trust God’s character and perfection. The sources conclude by noting that while we hope our dogs and cats are in heaven, the dog is likely thinking a lot less about heaven than the human owner is.