QUESTION:

Are there evidences of animals being in our final home – heaven?  (That is, besides Christ riding in on a white horse) Thanks very much.  I hope you can make me feel better after a recent, hearbreaking loss.

Answer:

I am afraid to say that there is no biblical evidence for there being animals in heaven.   The reference to Christ riding on a horse is clearly symbolic, so I believe that even this is not evidence of there being animals in heaven.  Another scripture which could perhaps be interpreted as implying there will be animals in heaven is Isaiah 11:6 which describes the future Kingdom of God by saying that “The wolf will lie down with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together and a little child will lead them.”  The problem with interpreting this as implying animals in heaven is that this is clearly apocalyptic language.  Apocalyptic writing is to be taken symbolically not literally.  Besides, the passage is probably a prophecy, not of heaven, but of the kingdgom of God on earth, as revealed in the church.  Isaiah 11:6 is not evidence that there will be wolves, lions and lambs in heaven.

There may be animals or something like animals in heaven.  I really do not know, and anyone who says they do know is probably wrong.  Bottom line, we simply do not know what heaven will be like.  We know that heaven will be fantastically wonderful.  Like Paul said in 1 Corinthians 2:9, “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”  Heaven will be much greater than anything you can conceive of, and that includes having animals there.  To me it comes down to faith.  Do you really believe that whatever is in heaven will be more wonderful than anything you can imagine?  If so, then perhaps this will help you to deal with some of the emotions of your recent loss.

Let me be specific.  I believe that you will not see your recently lost pet in heaven.  I believe that when you get to heaven such a small thing will see insiginificant.  I do not mean to downplay the emotion you are feeling now.  Your loss is very significant to you now.  God understands.  God feels for you.  However, the proposed solution–to meet this animal again in heaven–would not fulfill your deepest desires nearly as well as the thing God has prepared for you.

John Oakes