Do animals have eternal life?
- Thread starter trofimus
- Start date
-
Christian Chat is a moderated online Christian community allowing Christians around the world to fellowship with each other in real time chat via webcam, voice, and text, with the Christian Chat app. You can also start or participate in a Bible-based discussion here in the Christian Chat Forums, where members can also share with each other their own videos, pictures, or favorite Christian music.
If you are a Christian and need encouragement and fellowship, we're here for you! If you are not a Christian but interested in knowing more about Jesus our Lord, you're also welcome! Want to know what the Bible says, and how you can apply it to your life? Join us!
To make new Christian friends now around the world, click here to join Christian Chat.
Ecclesiastes 3:21, "Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?"
When an animal dies, its' spirit returns to the earth. Man's spirit returns to the one who gave it life. If animals have eternal souls, why would we kill them? Why swat the mosquito or step on ants? Wouldn't that be murder? Why would the Bible say it's ok to eat animals if they have eternal souls? When did God ordain that we should have pets and get so emotionally attached?
When an animal dies, its' spirit returns to the earth. Man's spirit returns to the one who gave it life. If animals have eternal souls, why would we kill them? Why swat the mosquito or step on ants? Wouldn't that be murder? Why would the Bible say it's ok to eat animals if they have eternal souls? When did God ordain that we should have pets and get so emotionally attached?
D
Actually, the bible is quite clear that animals will be in heaven. If lions and lambs are there, then surely cats and dogs and all species of animals will be there too. Animals DO have a spirit and/or a soul, so who are we, in our uninformed state, to assume that they WON'T be in heaven? God says that ALL creation will praise his name one day. 
I'm fairly sure God understands the woofs, meows, and chirps of animals singing His praises.. JMO
I'm fairly sure God understands the woofs, meows, and chirps of animals singing His praises.. JMO
D
Why wouldn't they? We know that lions and lambs will be there, the bible says so rather clearly. Animals were in the garden of Eden before the fall. Heaven surely is alot like paradise, IMO. Animals have no need of accepting Jesus as their savior, since they were put here as our companions in this life. It makes sense that they'll be our companions in the next life also. If not in heaven, then definitely on the new earth.
Animals have no need of accepting Jesus as their savior, since they were put here as our companions in this life. It makes sense that they'll be our companions in the next life also. If not in heaven, then definitely on the new earth.
Thoreau, my old cat, was homosexual, so animals did fall into sin too.
The scriptures are not openly clear on animals and heaven and animals having souls, a lot of people think only cats and dogs birds and common pets will go to heaven but to say that is to ignore the fact that he created every living creature with great care and feeds and gives them homes. I think animals will go to heaven for several reasons firstly because I believe they do indeed have souls true they were not made in God's images as humans but you consider how we humans make such deep bonds with animals build such deep relationships and weep upon losing them and tell me that animals will not go to heaven.
God would not make them just to be soulless and empty creatures the fact we make such bonds with them tells me they have souls they have their own traits their own personalities they are willing to protect their loved owner and sometimes even give their lives for them if need be. I can't imagine a soulless creature having knowing and showing such love as that, bugs however I am not sure I don't know either way
God would not make them just to be soulless and empty creatures the fact we make such bonds with them tells me they have souls they have their own traits their own personalities they are willing to protect their loved owner and sometimes even give their lives for them if need be. I can't imagine a soulless creature having knowing and showing such love as that, bugs however I am not sure I don't know either way
I dont like complicated explanations, so I can offer my simplified view of soul, only.
I think soul represents that the creature is a personality, has its emotions, can experience love, sadness, fear, such a creature can have dreams and can have relationship with other "soulish" animals. So that dog can have relationship with dogs, with man, with cat, with some kind of birds etc.
I think soul represents that the creature is a personality, has its emotions, can experience love, sadness, fear, such a creature can have dreams and can have relationship with other "soulish" animals. So that dog can have relationship with dogs, with man, with cat, with some kind of birds etc.
19For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God.
20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected
the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22For we know that [the whole creation] groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
20For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him who hath subjected
the same in hope, Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption
into the glorious liberty of the children of God.
22For we know that [the whole creation] groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.
23And not only they, but ourselves also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we ourselves
groan within ourselves, waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption of our body.
I think this verse is the closest to the idea of eternal life for animals.
But somebody can say, that its about the transformation of creation as a whole, not about individual animals living today.
The most close verse for the opposite side is for me the 2 Peter 2:12:
"But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish."
But somebody can say, that its about the transformation of creation as a whole, not about individual animals living today.
The most close verse for the opposite side is for me the 2 Peter 2:12:
"But these people blaspheme in matters they do not understand. They are like unreasoning animals, creatures of instinct, born only to be caught and destroyed, and like animals they too will perish."
Ecc_3:21 Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?
Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
All spirits of people go back to God who gave them,regardless of how the person acted on earth,and all animals spirits go downward.
Animals were not created to be in heaven,although the Bible does say that Jesus rides on a horse,and the saints ride on horses,accompanying Him,but I believe this to be a temporary manifestation of the horses,which will pass away after Jesus defeats the world.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Some people want to believe that animals will be in heaven,because they love those animals,but when people are in heaven,any remembrance of the former world will not come in to their mind,and they will not even think about it,so there is no sadness,for they will not remember their friends,and family,that did not make it,and will not miss them,or their pets.
Ecc 12:7 Then shall the dust return to the earth as it was: and the spirit shall return unto God who gave it.
All spirits of people go back to God who gave them,regardless of how the person acted on earth,and all animals spirits go downward.
Animals were not created to be in heaven,although the Bible does say that Jesus rides on a horse,and the saints ride on horses,accompanying Him,but I believe this to be a temporary manifestation of the horses,which will pass away after Jesus defeats the world.
Rev 21:1 And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.
Rev 21:2 And I John saw the holy city, new Jerusalem, coming down from God out of heaven, prepared as a bride adorned for her husband.
Rev 21:3 And I heard a great voice out of heaven saying, Behold, the tabernacle of God is with men, and he will dwell with them, and they shall be his people, and God himself shall be with them, and be their God.
Rev 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away.
Isa 65:17 For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind.
Some people want to believe that animals will be in heaven,because they love those animals,but when people are in heaven,any remembrance of the former world will not come in to their mind,and they will not even think about it,so there is no sadness,for they will not remember their friends,and family,that did not make it,and will not miss them,or their pets.
2 Peter 2:12 can be about the physical, visible life. Or, "unreasoning animals" can mean the kind of animals that do not have souls. Dog, cat or horse are certainly reasoning animals, to some point.
But I agree, this verse is the most weighty for the side of animal destruction.
Eccl 3:21 is only a question, not a confirmation of anything:
"Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
I could use it in the opposite direction - "Who can say that the spirit of the animal goes down? Nobody."
But I agree, this verse is the most weighty for the side of animal destruction.
Eccl 3:21 is only a question, not a confirmation of anything:
"Who knows if the human spirit rises upward and if the spirit of the animal goes down into the earth?"
I could use it in the opposite direction - "Who can say that the spirit of the animal goes down? Nobody."
Last edited:
Even the debates over what is a soul don't interest me. I just don't even care that much. I want more practical things. To help me with my personal struggles. But thank God for the scholars too. Occasionally I learn something really neat from them! Mostly though I just want to run and hide from them.