Will Animals and Pets Be in Heaven?

Short answer—probably not! But before pet-lovers get worked up, let’s take a few moments and calmly consider what Scripture has to say.

1. Reading through Revelation 21-22 we do not see animals mentioned in heaven. I propose that God does not speak about them because that is not what ought to capture our attention. Heaven is valuable not because of our beloved kitty, but because there is our Savior—Jesus Christ.

2. However, there is a certain continuity in heaven that can support the idea of there being animals. Firstly, Jesus is mentioned as a lamb five times. It’s hard to imagine looking at our Savior and seeing Him as meek, gentle, and having died and resurrected without a corresponding visual example. Secondly, we find mention of mountains, rivers, trees, fruits, months, leaves, etc. We must leave the possibility of animals being in heaven similar to how various natural phenomena of this world are present there.

3. Isaiah 65:25 speaks about the wolf and the lamb, the lion and ox, straw, serpents, dust, and a mountain. Even though most theologians take this text to be referring to the thousand-year rule of Christ in Jerusalem before the creation of the new heavens and earth, we also have Isaiah 65:17 which says, “For behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things shall not be remembered or come into mind.” If we carefully read this paragraph, we find that Isaiah is talking simultaneously about two future realities, both the millennial kingdom and eternity. We cannot conclude that both of these are identical, but we can presume that they have similar elements, which may include the presence of animals.

4. There are two texts that talk about how God relates to animals, and they lead us to conclude that God cares about the animal kingdom.

“Behold, I establish my covenant with you and your offspring after you, and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the livestock, and every beast of the earth with you, as many as came out of the ark; it is for every beast of the earth. I establish my covenant with you, that never again shall all flesh be cut off by the waters of the flood, and never again shall there be a flood to destroy the earth.” (Gen 9:9-11)

“For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us. For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God. For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of him who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.” (Rom 8:18-23)

The text in Romans speaks about how all creation (including the winds, sea, and animals) will be freed. The words “set free” assume something afterwards. Setting something free presumes freeing for something. The new heavens and new earth have many continuities but also many differences. If this is so, we can again conclude that the new creation has many elements of the first creation, including the animal kingdom.

But notice, nowhere do we find mention of those animals we’ve spent our lives with on this earth. No matter how much we’d like to see them, this will be far less important when we see Jesus Christ, the founder and perfecter of our salvation! At that moment we’ll definitely forget about our pets. And we won’t be sad. Rather, we’ll be full of utmost happiness and joy.

• Thursday (6:30 PM) – Kid’s Bible School (open to all but required for parents)
  • followed by Prayer Service at 7:30PM
• Saturday (8:00 – 9:30 AM) – Men’s prayer breakfast, in the cafeteria
• Sunday services:
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  • Worship Service in English at 11:15 AM