What happens to animals after they die?

Answer 1

Interestingly in Genesis (1:29,30) there was no provision for the eating of animals by either humans or animals. In Isaiah (11: 6-9) when describing restored paradise, again the animals are not killing or eating each other (the bible says that God will form a new covenant with the animals at Hosea 2:18). Well, if the animals won't be killing animals, and if humans won't be killing animals, why would God be killing animals?
When God in the bible has these passages , I feel it is to appeal to our deepest sense of right and good, and the love we should feel towards his creation. I feel it would be misleading to draw on those emotions of ours if he himself does not have those feelings.
In the book of Revelation (21:4) in describing restored paradise it says that heartache, morning, and pain would be done away with. How could these animals we love be dying without us feeling heartache? We surely will not love the animals less in paradise will we? Have you ever seen a picture of paradise anywhere showing a dying animal? Instinctively any artist knows that would be wrong.
Every argument used to prove that humans should live forever also applies to animals. For example:
Humans have a wonderful brain that would allow them to take in knowledge for millions of lifetimes... the same is true for animals.
Humans have a wonderful immune system to fight disease.... same for animals.
Humans have amazing senses... sometimes even more true for animals.
Humans have redundant vital organs to protect their life... very true for animals.
Could you choose the day on which you would want to die?...Could you choose the day on which you would want your favorite pet to die?
'Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander' ... if these things prove that humans should live forever then they also prove that the animals should live forever.
Some that I have mentioned this to have argued that 'the ransom does not cover animals'. On two counts I feel that is wrong. One, humans are animals (Ecclesiastes 3:19-21). Two, Christ's ransom did not just buy back Adam's life, but every thing Adam owned, otherwise only Adam would be resurrected. One of the things that Adam owned was dominion over the animals (Genesis 1:28).
Here's a little bon mot from the scriptures; in Hebrews
(11:17-19) Paul says that Abraham "reckoned" (Young's translation and others) that God would raise Isaac from the dead. Why did he have to 'reckon' ? And on what basis did he reckon ?
Well, Abraham had to reckon, actually extrapolate, because apparently he had not been directly told about the resurrection at this point.
The basis for his reckoning was; God's promises, and Abraham's knowledge of God's nature.
Which brings up the next question. Can, and will, animals be resurrected? The first part " can the animals be resurrected?" is obvious, of course God can, but will he?
Let's do some "reckoning".
When Jesus was confronted by the Sadducees about the resurrection, which the Sadducees do not believe in (which is why they are so sad-you-see ). The Master's line of reasoning was this:
If God at that time was still the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob (each of whom had been dead for well over one thousand years before Jesus even came to the earth) 'it was' Jesus said, ' because God is the God of the living not the dead'.
In other words, Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob were still living to God, otherwise why would God continue to remember them? (Luke 20:34-38).
Using the same logic as the Master, let's take a look at two parallel accounts. The first is Matthew 10:29-31, the second is Luke 12:6,7.
Most people always cite the account in Matthew, basically because the math is easier... one coin = two birds, yet not one falls to the ground without God's knowledge. However Luke's account is different ' five birds sell for two coins' and here's the point ' yet not one goes FORGOTTEN by God'.
Again "Sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander". If God's remembering Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob was proof to Jesus that God would resurrect those three, Then the Master Jesus himself saying that God remembers that little bird...
...well you can figure it out from here. And the point is not that God is 'the sparrow God', he remembers and loves all his animals... even you.
If your little child had their dog or pet die and they came to you with tears streaming down their face and they asked you to make it live again, you would if you could wouldn't you? Are you kinder than God? The only difference is you don't have the power to bring that animal back to life , God does.
Can you imagine in paradise earth a newly resurrected child asking God to resurrect their pet and God gruffly saying "We don't do dogs here!". Personally I would expect God to say "You know, I loved Sparky too. Why don't you go look behind the barn, I think you'll have a nice surprise waiting for you". That's my kind of God.
You know, come to think of it, the bible says "God is love"... maybe we're on to something....

Answer 2

Nowhere does Scripture explicitly state that animals do not have souls...There is nothing in Scripture I know of that would preclude the possibility of animals' continued existence...The Bible does give us some reason to hope that departed animals will be restored. We read in the Bible that redemption is a cosmic matter. The whole creation is destined to be redeemed through the work of Christ (Romans 8:21), and we see the images of what heaven will be like; beautiful passages of Scripture tell us about the lion and lamb and other animals being at peace with one another.(Isaiah 11:6-8). Whenever heaven is described, though it may be in highly imaginative language, it is a place where animals seem to be present. Whether these are animals newly created for the new heavens and the new earth, or they are the redeemed souls of our pets that have perished, we can't know for sure.

Answer 3

People go to the people heaven and animals go to the animal heaven. Like the horse religion, Barthology. They believe that as long as they stand as much as possible, they are paying respects to the creator of the universe who's name is Barth. In this religion he actually made humans just to take care of and serve the horses. In the afterlife, horses get to live forever with unlimited hay fields and warm weather.

Answer 4

If you're asking from a scriptural standpoint, they cannot worship God so there is no hope of salvation or resurrection for them. :( Ecclesiastes 3:19 says that man and beast have the same eventuality- we all die and return to dust. But humans can look forward to the time Jesus spoke of when he said that those who have fallen asleep in death will be resurrected. (John 5:29; 11:11,24,25)

Answer 5

They bypass to the subsequent hollow contained in the floor like we do! Ecclesiastes 3:19 (NIV) guy's destiny is like that of the animals; an same destiny awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the different. All have an same breath; guy has no income over the animal. each and every thing is conceitedness* (*and massive agency for the Clergy!)

Answer 6

Being incapable of sin (having no knowledge of right and wrong so being unable to choose wrong), so having no necessity for repentance or redemption, animal spirits go directly to heaven.

Think how boring heaven would be if it was just people. Besides, I would miss my cat and I don't think God would be that cruel.

Answer 7

They decompose and become part of the soil, perpetuating the food cycle. I can't envision a heaven filled with tyrannosaurus, crocodiles, sharks, scorpions, cockroaches, tapeworms, ticks, fleas, lice (these are all animals you know). Or is it only the warm fuzzy ones that will be in heaven???

Answer 8

They turn to dust, just like us humans. The difference then is that we have a hope of a resurrection they don't. (John 5:28,29)

OK for the thumbsdowners? Ecclesiastes 3:19,20 where King Solomon said "For there is an eventuality as respects the sons of mankind and an eventuality as respects the beast, and they have the same eventuality. As the one dies so the other dies and they all have but one spirit (or life), so that there is no superiority of the man over the beast for everything is vanity." The KJV says they all have "one breath"

Answer 9

animals die and go to the spirit realm as well they do have souls just like humans do. animals have there own realms as well.

Answer 10

You've seen dead animals in the woods, right? They return to the ground the same as we do.