Monday
Message addendum on Tuesday, October 15
Yesterday
I discussed pets/animals going to heaven. I hope you read it. I fact-checked it
with 3 other pastors before hitting “send.” My friend Laura disagrees and took
the time to write back, and I have a lot of respect for Laura, so let’s dig
deeper. As she pointed out, the Bible doesn’t specifically address the subject;
it’s more church “tradition” that comes into question.
God
made both mankind (Gen. 2:7) and the animals (Gen. 7:15, 22) with the “breath
of life.” But mankind is special, the only breath-of-life creature, “made in
the image of God.” (Gen. 1:26-27) Being “like God” means that we’re capable of
spirituality, we have minds that think and reason, we have emotions and will,
and most importantly, we have an eternal soul. Our spirit continues with God’s
spirit into the next reality.
The
Bible never speaks of animals having “souls.” In fairness, the Bible never
speaks of animals NOT having souls. So if they do continue to exist after
death, I believe it will be somewhat different from what happens to humans. For
example, I can’t picture animals going to a place of judgment. But if God
chooses to include them, it’s up to God. God saw all of his creation and said
that it was good, (Gen. 1:25) and that includes all the animals.
As
I wrote yesterday, there will most certainly be animals in heaven, a walking display of the creative genius of the Almighty God. We’ll
have everything we need in heaven, and if we need a pet, one will be provided. Personally,
I believe that we’ll be so caught up in God-worship that the pet/no pet question
won’t even come up; but that’s just my 2¢. Those of us who follow the
Lord know that He is fair and just, and when we arrive at heaven, we’ll be in
complete agreement with his decision, either way. “Will not the Judge of all the earth do what is right?"
(Gen. 18:25b)
Any day you get to worship the Lord
is a good day!
Norton Lawellin, Worship Pastor
Jesus in the City Fellowship
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