Will animals die in paradise?

Question

Genesis 9:6 and 1:26,27 says Jehovah made man in his image. We know God cannot die and our original purpose was to live FOREVER in paradise earth.Since animals were not made to live forever, does this mean they are going to die in paradise? Are only humans going to be perfect?


I have already done research and have not found anything yet.PLEASE HELP! THANKS! :]

Answer 1

Questions From Readers

● Revelation 21:4 says that in the new world there will be no more death. Does this mean that even animals will not die then?—M. I., New York.

This text does not mean that all death will be eliminated. Rebellious human creatures will die during Christ’s millennial reign, and those siding with Satan at the end of the thousand years will perish. (Isa. 65:17, 20; Rev. 20:7-10) True, Revelation 20:14 shows death destroyed and thereafter Revelation 21:4 says there will be no more death, but the death referred to is death due to inheritance from Adam. Men will not then degenerate and die because of Adam’s transgression, but at any future time Jehovah God could execute any willful rebel that would disrupt the peace of the new world. Hence Revelation 21:4 speaks only of the Adamic death of humans, and has no application to the animal realm.

As to whether animals will die in the new world we cannot be dogmatic. It appears that men will not kill them for food, nor will animals prey upon one another. In the new world Jehovah’s original purpose relative to food supplies will be realized, as stated to Adam and Eve: “See, I give you all the seed-bearing plants that are found all over the earth, and all the trees which have seed-bearing fruit; it shall be yours to eat. To all the wild beasts of the earth, to all the birds of the air, and to all the land reptiles, in which there is a living spirit, I give all the green plants for food.” (Gen. 1:29, 30, AT) If that outstanding carnivorous animal, the lion, is to “eat straw like the ox”, surely no others will be meat-eaters. (Isa. 11:6-9) Incidentally, this shows that Revelation 21:4 does not eliminate all death of organic life, for plants will die to become food for men and animals.

But merely that animals will not be used for food does not prove they will live forever. There is reason to believe they will die. Man’s disobedience in Eden did not bring death to animals—they had been living and dying and many forms becoming extinct for thousands of years before man’s creation. The new world will eliminate the effects of Adam’s disobedience, but that does not concern animal death. The status of the beast has remained unchanged since its creation—it lives out its life span and dies. At no time has it had set before it the prospect of eternal life.

Man’s position is different. Adam had hope of eternal life set before him, but that hope vanished when he failed to pass the test of obedience. Had he passed that test he doubtless would have eventually eaten of the “tree of life”. Through Adam all men lost the opportunity of eternal life, but through the ransoming work of Christ Jesus the opportunity is restored and men of good will may hope for eternal life in the new world. None of this concerns animals.

If a man is willfully wicked and scorns the ransom, he will never gain eternal life, though he lives for a few years now. He loses the better position of opportunity that is open for mankind, and drops into the same position as that of animals, a position that offers no opportunities of eternal life. Of such ones the inspired apostle Peter wrote: “But these men, like unreasoning animals born naturally to be caught and destroyed, will, in the things of which they are ignorant and speak abusively, even suffer destruction in their own course of destruction.”—2 Peter 2:12, NW.

If animals had opportunity for eternal life, why would these men who lose such opportunity be compared to them? There seems to be no Scriptural basis for arguing that animals will live forever in the new world, but rather that they will continue being born, maturing, bringing forth offspring, and dying. Argument to the contrary seems to be based largely on sentimental grounds.

Answer 2

basically ideal people won't die- flowers and animals are actually not created in God's photograph. Jasin- how is it possible which you would be able to be an unbaptized writer for 8 years? how are you able to declare that Jehovah's Witnesses don't think in going to heaven? We do have faith considering the fact it quite is interior the Bible, although if, Jesus stated that "the meek will inherit the earth" at Matthew 5:5. Revelation 5: 9-10 tells us that those going to heaven rule as kings and priests with Jesus over the paradise earth. In different words, a constrained quantity circulate to heaven, and maximum persons are in paradise in the worldwide.

Answer 3

Animals only obey their instincts. So, it is impossible for those creatures to consciously decide to serve and obey God.

Now, consider the matter of law and morality. Every society and culture that has ever existed recognizes that stealing is wrong, for example. In the letter to the Romans, Paul called that "the law within." That's why we impose penalties upon those who are thieves: because stealing is universally recognized as wrong.

However, in the animal kingdom there is no such awareness of right and wrong. Animals, birds and fish fight and take from each other as a way of life—in some cases they would perish if they didn't. When men behave in such a manner we consider them to be animalistic predators and plunderers.

As another example, take the matter of sexual morality: it is generally recognized, even by godless people, that adultery is wrong. In the animal kingdom, things are very much different.

While some species of birds and certain animals do mate for life, most animals mate with multiple partners. Dogs and cats might even mate with their own brothers and sisters from the same litter. Again, though, people who violate standards of morality are actually becoming animalistic--and certainly the Bible says as much in many places.

So, the point is that animals were not created to follow God's laws. We were and if we do so then we are granted the reward of everlasting life.

Matt 19 "Now, look! a certain one came up to him and said: “Teacher, what good must I do in order to get everlasting life?"

"He said to him: If, though, you want to enter into life, observe the commandments continually.”

Answer 4

The Bible doesn't say that animals will have everlasting life, only mankind. We just don't know if they will or not. I am an animal lover and have a ranch with several kinds of animals. I sure don't want any of them to die but those that make it to the new system will live by whatever Jehovah God's will is.

Good question Sister.

Answer 5

Yes.

It is good to remember, though, that the Bible emphasizes the distinction between humans and animals. Humans, not animals, were made ‘in the image and likeness of God.’ (Genesis 1:26) And whereas animals were created with a limited life span, humans had the prospect of living on earth forever. (Genesis 3:22, 23; Psalm 37:29) Jesus Christ said that to enjoy “everlasting life,” we must exercise faith and take in knowledge of God—things that animals are incapable of doing. (John 3:36; 17:3) Moreover, the Bible compares those unworthy of a resurrection to the “unreasoning animals [that are] born naturally to be caught and destroyed.”—2 Peter 2:9-12.

Answer 6

They will be pets and no longer eat meat. Isaiah 11:6-9. But there is no indication they will live forever as individuals nor that they did in Eden either. Adam knew what death was likely from witnessing the deaths of animals and such.

The Bible also only mentions humans as having eternity in their minds. Animals have no concept of such.

Debbie

Answer 7

There will be animals and they will be so friendly we will hate to kill them in order to clothe and eat.But that is what they are purposed for.

Answer 8

Animals live for ever any where.

Answer 9

just a minute
you for one are a Jehovah
Correction as to why yu could not find the passage is due to your indoctrination

Paradise is at the centre of the earth
Luke 23:43
Jesus went down after his death to free the captives in Abrahams bosom Ephesians 4:8

the millennial rule is what you refer to :
Isaiah 11:1-8 and Revelation 21:4 and Isaiah 65 : 20
it is the time of the Millennial Rule of Christ

Animals will have had the curse lifted......and snakes and children will be fine together

Answer 10

animals wont be dead for the paradise...we will all be able to habitate as one....kids will be able to play with the lions and tigers...etc...the animals will be passive