I guess I’m not done. People make blanket statements about heaven and animals they can’t back up. Who knows that animals don’t have a moral sense? Here’s a verse to give you pause to think about:Mark 16:15 – And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.Not every person – every CREATURE.
One more thing on this: Revelations discusses a new heaven and a new earth. Since the Bible distinguishes between the two, it is reasonable to assume that that earth will be at least similar to this one – which naturally would include animals.
Finally, Ezekiel mentions some rather odd creatures – therefore it is clear to me that heaven is not the human-centric place institutional religion seems to think.
As a Christian, I firmly believe animals have souls and that we will see them in Heaven. These are the verses I claim for that. Plus – what kind of Heaven would it be without God’s creatures in it? I have little respect for so-called experts who claim otherwise. Secondly, if we believe in a God of justice, mercy and rewards, one must also conclude that all abused animals, all animals who have suffered – pretty much all of them – will have their own animal reward. That’s opinion but it fits my view of a loving and merciful God.
Ecclesiastes 3:21 Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth? – Seems pretty clear to me the Bible says they have spirits. Others will contest this, but they have to strain Scripture to do it. By the way, just to be clear: the same word for “breath” or “spirit” here is used for animals and humans.
Matthew 10:29Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.
Matthew 6:26Look at the birds of the air: They do not sow or reap or gather into barns—and yet your Heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not much more valuable than they?- While we have much more value than a bird – they still have value in God’s eyes.
John 14:2My Father’s house has many rooms; if that were not so, would I have told you that I am going there to prepare a place for you?Cool! He’s preparing a place for ME. Considering my love for animals – that place most assuredly is going to include them!
Ephesians 3:20Now to him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine, according to his power that is at work within us…I don’t know about you, but I can imagine a whole lot, including loved pets and animals in heaven.
BTW: to so-called Christians who think the world is ours to abuse and use up, there’s this verse – emphasis on the latter part:
Revelation 11:18…and for destroying those who destroy the earth.
I guess I’m not done. People make blanket statements about heaven and animals they can’t back up. Who knows that animals don’t have a moral sense? Here’s a verse to give you pause to think about:Mark 16:15 – And He said to them, Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.Not every person – every CREATURE.