Do you think animals got to heaven? Why or why not?

Answer 1

yes ! of course they go to heaven, how could they call it heaven with out all the wonderful animals?

Answer 2

Although we may dearly miss our animal companions when they die, the promise of heaven was never held out to them in the scriptures. The apostle Paul explained that Christ entered into the heavens as a forerunner "in our behalf"-- that of humans (Hebrews 6:20).

Scripture suggests that the animal's spirit (or life force) goes into the ground but a man's spirit does not. This may be a figurative picture, but it shows that man's future life is in God's hands. (See Ecclesiastes 3:21, then compare 12:7).

Scriptures states: "a live dog is better off than a dead lion" (Ecclesiastes 9:4). Since a live dog, (an unclean and hated animal to the Jews then), is better off than a dead lion (who was once feared and respected), we can see that there is no hope for a better life after death for animals. Neither will they be punished for naturally living the way they were meant to be. They just die and go out of existence. To explain, Ecclesiastes 9:5-6 states that the dead know nothing and are unable to think or feel emotion. Psalm 146:4 also shows that once the "spirit" --the life force-- leaves, the dead are not capable of thinking and all thought ceases.

Finally, John 3:16 brings out that it is those who believe in Jesus who have the hope of everlasting life. So, of course animals cannot be included. But God loves us and knows how we feel. To comfort us with our grief, God promises one day he'll wipe out every tear from our eyes, (Revelation 21:4), so we will not miss our departed animal friends forever.

There are also promises throughout the scriptures of a beautiful earthly "Re-creation", so who knows what future joys with animals--including peaceful companionship with formerly "wild" animals--await humans then? (See Matthew 19:28 and Psalm 37:29. Especially read: Isaiah 11:4, 6-9 and 65:17-25. Please see Isaiah 35:3-10. Compare Matthew 6:5; 2 Peter 3:13; Hebrews 2:5; Revelation 21:1) There's lot more that could be explained, but this answers the basic question and, I hope, shows why I think this.

Answer 3

If you take the Biblical approach, what's on Earth is also what's in Heaven (only perfected).

I've also heard that because they're generally not like people, such as:
a.) Original Sin
b.) The ability to reason - a.k.a. Higher Reasoning
c.) They can't sin

It's called Higher Reasoning because animals can reason out whether or not this thing looks like food to them but they can't reason out why it's atoms are arranged in a particular manner.

Humans are the only beings with this capacity scientifically, as animals don't have enough grey matter (in their brains, if you didn't guess it) to process that kind of thought. Almost like Futurama - "Right and wrong are just words. It's what you *do* that really matters."

Answer 4

I think the animal spirit goes the same place that all living spirits go when they pass to the spirit world. As for heaven, well I have my own idea of what heaven is.

Answer 5

yes there will be animals in heaven , animals have a spirit not a soul, man has the soul and that is what gets saved...the bible says who knows if the spirit of an animal goes up or down. meaning God knows all this and we need not be worrying about such things, he made them all and will take care of them, it talks about many different kinds of animals that will be there, i am sure of it....

Answer 6

I know people that say no, and I know people that say yes. My opinon is that why would God make them if he was just going to send them to hell? They were made for us, so God would bring them to heaven so that we will be surrounded by the things we love, and that love us. I don't think I could bare dieing and going to heaven to find no dogs, hamsters, and horses. Sometimes I pray to God asking him to hug my animals that have died. They have spirits too, he loves them just the same.

Answer 7

I'm certain they do.
Animals go out of this world as innocent as they come into it.They have no sins.They're incapable of committing crime or intentionally hurting others around them out of spite or vindictiveness.They do what they must to survive and no more.
There are those who will disagree but the only bad animals are the ones man has taught to be bad.

Answer 8

I feel they do. The Catholic Church says they don't but i just do not agree. Of course no one will know until we go to heaven, then we will find out for sure.

Answer 9

I don't know for a fact one way or the other. But i sure hope they do go to heaven! After a life of servitude(dogs), or having servants (cats), it's a nice thought that our ever loving best companions are having a luxurious afterlife. I know that i hope to see my Kitty's when i get where I'm going.

Answer 10

Yes i think animals do go to heaven. Because they seem to have souls just like us. We get such a connection with them that i dont see how they could not have souls. Why else would we bury our deceased pets?