Does the Bible mention a Heaven for animals?

Question

My parents and I just put to rest our beloved dog Chloe. I haven't researched the Bible yet but is there are Heaven for animals?

Answer 1

The ancient Hebrews whose Torah forms the core of the Hebrew Bible of Judaism, tells us the world view of this tribal people who lived in a very different age and culture. The word that is used for soul in Hebrew is nefesh, it is another word for the life-force and it is also used for our animal bretheren. The SAME word is used mind you..the Bible indicates other creatures besides humans have souls.( example: excerpt from Genesis chapter 1: 30 and to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, ( nepfesh) ) While they acknowledged that we have the same life-force from the Creator, their world view also told them that they were separate and above all other life. Humans were much more at the mercy of the elements and the wild and were attempting to gain mastery of it by separating ourselves from our animal natures.

We ARE animals..so my sincere belief is that if we have such a thing as a soul that is capable of immortality beyond our physical life, then I know of no just reason why our fellow animal creatures would not also posess one.

The Hebrew Bible does not have the Christian concept of Heaven and Hell. There is a 'world to come" that envisons all life in harmony with the lion to lie down with the lamb. My answer goes far beyond what you are asking on one level, but I can well imagine that if I had just given the quick ..no, it doesn't mention a heaven for animals...you would have still been curious as to their notions of the human/ animal relationship.

Proverbs states that a good man is concerned for the welfare of his animal. Our pets are sentient beings. All sentient beings feel pain, joy, love, pleasure, sadness and grief. I believe that if there is such a thing as a heaven..it can't be a heaven without our fellow creatures there along side us as they were here in our lives on earth.


My deepest sympathy to you on your loss. My pets are beloved members of my family. The loss and grief are no different than for any other beloved and it takes time to heal. You will always hold your beloved pet's memory in your heart alive beside you here and I believe that if our spirits join those we love after we depart, that must also include our beloved animal family.
Shalom

Answer 2

Some people say that animals do not go to heaven because they do not have a soul. However it is debated whether or not the bible states that animals have souls here is one passage:

JOB 12:7-10

"You have only to ask the cattle, for them to instruct you, and the birds of the sky, for them to inform you. The creeping things of earth will give you lessons, and the fish of the sea provide you an explanation: there is not one such creature but will know that the hand of God has arranged things like this! In his hand is the soul of every living thing and the breath of every human being"

I personally believe that every sentient being contains a soul of sorts. Its pretty egocentric of humans to believe that they are the only being that contains a soul and can get into paradise.

Some people rely on the bible as their evidence that animals have no souls than that is their choice. Even if the bible says animals don't have immortal souls, you have to think of is this way, according to God, man is inherently flawed. Who interpreted the bible from Gods words?.. Man. Thus the bible would also be flawed in a way. Who is to say this is not one of the flawed interpretations?

To think that animals act only on impulse and instinct must have never seen elephants mourn over lost family, and even over elephants they never knew. personally what I think is evidence enough of a soul.
http://www.abc.net.au/science/news/stori...

ITo let a book dictate what you feel is right, is ridiculous to me. if you believe animals have a soul and go to heaven than believe it.

Personally I believe animals will go to heaven(if there is one), if not... how will Christ appear on a white horse when returning(according to the bible).
"And I saw the heaven opened; and behold, a white horse, and he that sat thereon called Faithful and True; and in righteous he doth judge and make war." Revalations 19:11

Answer 3

It doesn't necessarily say there is a heaven for animals, however, there must be animals there. In Acts 10:11-13, Peter saw a sheet come down from heaven, and it was filled with all manner of four footed beast. The Lord told Peter to kill and eat. How can it some from heaven if they weren't there to begin with?

Answer 4

The Bible is silent on the subject;-{ but we know they are sinless.
And a loving GOD will not separate us from those we love.
Middle-easterners have a different attitude about animals.
They are either for food, or controlling vermin, not pets.
Dogs & horses were used for hunting & fighting though.

Answer 5

I think that Catholics do not think that dogs go to Heaven. That is why I am not a member of the religion.
Of course dogs go to Heaven!!!!!!!

Answer 6

well yeah! all dogs go to heaven... so I figure that means other animals do to. it's a movie - it's gotta be true! lol

Answer 7

As much as I love them, I'm sorry, they have no souls, so they wont live on in heaven.

Jesus died for us to have eternal life, not for animals. But he might have some there waiting for us.

It really doesnt matter once were there, we wont ever know.