Does the bible say anything about animals in heaven?

Question

Note: Rude answers will be skipped.

Answer 1

Elijah was taken up to heaven in a chariot pulled by horses (2 Kings 2:11). There are horses in heaven (Revelation 6:2-8). In fact, there are enough horses for the vast armies of heaven to ride (Revelation 19:11). There are also invisible horses in angelic armies currently dispatched to earth (2 Kings 6:17). It appears the spiritual realm has physical shapes and properties, though normally we can't see it.

Other animals aren't mentioned in the Revelation passages, presumably because they don't play a role in Christ's second coming (an army bringing deliverance rides horses, not Dalmatians or hedgehogs). But isn't it likely that since there are innumerable horses in heaven there are all kinds of other animals too? Why wouldn't there be? Why would we expect horses to be the only animals? If there were no other animals, there wouldn't be horses.

In Isaiah 65:17 God refers to creating a New Heaven and a New Earth. In subsequent verses the text seems to move back and forth from the millennial kingdom to the New Earth. God says he will have animals—wolf, lamb and lion among them—in the millennium, the New Earth or both (Isaiah 65:25). Since the passage begins and ends by taking about the new earth, I believe the proper understanding is that animals will be there as well as in the millennium. Since a central aspect of man's dominion in Genesis 1-2 involved naming and governing over animals, and his dominion over the earth will be restored in eternity, it seems clear that animals will be there for him to govern.

Some also argue for animals being in heaven based on Ecclesiastes 3:19-21, which says "Man's fate is like that of the animals...all go to the same place." However, in the larger context of Ecclesiastes Solomon is talking about the outward appearance of death. Men and animals both die and their bodies go to the grave. We can't see anything different on the outside. But Scripture tells us elsewhere that man has an eternal soul. It tells us he goes one of two places at death (Hebrews 9:27-28). Animals are not said to have eternal souls or to relocate when they die. The presumption is that at death they cease to exist.

However, this doesn't mean people's beloved animals won't be in heaven. I once read Billy Graham's response to a little girl's question, "Will my dog who died this week be in heaven?" Graham replied, "If it would make you any happier, then yes, he will be." Animals aren't nearly as valuable as people, but God made them for people and has touched many people's lives through them. It would be simple for Him to recreate a pet, with its specific "personality" in heaven. If doing so would bring his children greater pleasure than the company of new animals he'll create, I don't doubt he would.

Romans 8:18-22 says that the whole creation was subject to suffering and futility because of human sin. The creation groans in longing for the liberation that will come to humans, and thereby to all creation itself. Creation is under man's dominion and will share the rewards of his redemption just as it shared the punishment for his sin. Animals are a central part of that creation, next to man himself the most significant part. After all, besides his wife, Adam was called upon to give names only to one other part of the creation—the animals (Genesis 2:19-20). He worked the garden, but he wasn't invited to name the vegetation. Clearly, the animals had certain qualities that set them above other creation. They were to be special to man, and his naming them makes his connection with them personal.

If the New Earth is all the best of the old earth and more, then we should expect it to contain animals. If animals weren't part of the New Earth, this would seem an obvious oversight. Eden was ruined through sin and will be restored through Christ's reign of righteousness. All that was part of Eden, and then made wrong through the sin of the first Adam, we would expect to be part of the New Earth, made right through the virtue of the Second Adam.

Would God take away from us in heaven what he gave, for delight and companionship and help, to Adam and Eve in Eden? Would he revoke his earlier decision to put animals with man, and under man's care? If he remakes the New Earth with new men (who look very much like the old men, only perfect, without violence), wouldn't we expect him also to make new animals (who will presumably look like the old animals, only perfect, without violence)?

Answer 2

Debatable
Corinthians 15:35-42

Answer 3

This is my thought. Even though the Bible doesn't mention animals going to Heaven, I believe this. We are God's creation and He loves us and has promised us an eternal home (Heaven). Animals are also His creation and I believe that He loves them and has a special place for them, even though it is not mentioned. Revelations tells us that when Jesus returns with His saints, we will all be riding horses. So, there are animals being kept somewhere, don't you think?

Answer 4

Well, in the end times if I remember correctly Christ will return on a white horse.. There have also been people who claim they visited heaven and saw animals there. I think it's absolutely possible that there are animals in heaven. I tend to believe that whatever you enjoyed here on earth, those things will be in heaven also...whether it's animals, basketball, botany, you name it. :)

Edit: Most people who have visited heaven and returned describe meadows full of flowers.. If there are flowers in heaven, why not animals?

Answer 5

The Bible says nothing about animals in heaven.
The reason is there is nothing to say.
There is nothing to say because animals don't go to heaven.
The idea they could, is based on the immortal soul.
Fact is, the soul is not immortal.
Ezekial 18:4 ....if you want to check it out.
Read the whole chapter, its repeated.
Humans don't go to heaven either, for the same reason.

Answer 6

I asked once if animals (like pets) go to heaven and I was really sad about what (and how) some people said.

Answer 7

yes but like pets on earth will not go to heaven but we will not live in heaven forever but we will live in heaven till the rapture after that we go to the new Jerusalem witch is going to be like the garden of Eden and there were animals there so yes there will be animals in heaven.

Answer 8

i have always wondered that....like what makes a pet dog better than a tiger? who wants to be in a place that has thousands of years worth of animals? there must be a lot of figthing for territory then!

Answer 9

Only when used symbolically like in Revelation. Certain spirit creatures where portrayed as animals (bull, eagle, lion...) in vision.

Answer 10

i struggled with this many times before .
i really don`t know. But i know that if heaven is so good it won`t mater if there is and animals or not, but if u really want to know ask your church pastor aboout it.