Pets

[abelisle]

If this has been discussed previously, I apologize. I have a family crisis with one of our cats who is dying from a large mass in her chest. My wife and daughter are distraught and are praying for a miracle and if none are expecting to see her (the cat) in Heaven. (assuming they both get there but don't tell them I said that)

My understanding is that even though God can do miracles for anyone and anything, animals don't have souls so therefore won't be saved? Exactly what is the official Adventist view of the salvation status of animals?

The only Biblical verse that even comes close to relating to this issue is the last verse of Jonah: "But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

So - will pets end up in Heaven?

Alex

[olger]

Don't think so about heaven, but out on the farm sometimes we got to shoot an animal that ain't gonna make it. Done so m'self several times.

better days ahead,

g

[rudywoofs (Pam)]

Alex, get "Will My Pet Go to Heaven" by Steve Wohlberg. It's a great book for someone who's lost (or might be losing) a pet.

Personally I think pets will be in heaven.

[Liz]

Alex, I'm so sorry. My daughter just lost her beloved guinea pig a few days ago. She is still very distraught. We get so attached to our little pets don't we?

God holds the blueprint for everything, and if it is important to us then it most certainly is important to HIM.

[Dottie]

Personally, I don't think that the pets we have now will be in heaven--what would I do with forty dogs, multitudinous cats, hamsters, guinea pigs, gerbils, birds, horses, sheep, etc.? It seems that maybe I wouldn't have time to worship the One I always want to be with.

But, what I tell my boy is that Jesus knows best, and if He wants an animal to go to heaven, He will make sure it is there.

Re: souls.

Animals are souls, they don't have souls, the same as humans. Do animals have the capacity to worship God? Are their minds able to even know there is a God?

I would love to have my animals in heaven. I will wait to find out what Jesus wants for me.

[Neil D]

So - will pets end up in Heaven?

Alex

19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place;

From Ecclesiastes 3

[SivartM]

Sorry to hear about your cat, abelisle.

I think pets can go to heaven. I mean, for one thing, it's not their fault that animals die in the first place. They don't consciously sin as far as I can tell.

[Gerr]

Since there will be animals in the new earth, I see no reason why one cannot ask Jesus to bring back to life the pets they once loved. I hope to do that for all the dogs I've ever had.

[abelisle]

Originally Posted By: abelisle

So - will pets end up in Heaven?

Alex

19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place;

From Ecclesiastes 3

Neil,

Thank you so much! You don't know the spiritual comfort that verse provided my wife and daughter and myself. It has been posted in large letters on our refrigerator in our kitchen.

Alex

[Dr. Rich]

Great posts everyone! I would like to believe that our pets will be there too, that is, if we make it. Some pets to people were closer than people to them--some how, that connection made many sad days into a happier day. But God knows best and I trust it will be the right thing for all of us!

[karl]

How about if your pet went and you didn't?? Bummer for your pet and for you.

Dottie, I don't see why you couldn't have scads of pets at your country place in the earth made new.

[nuff sed]

As I have stated on this forum before, and no matter what Steve Wohlberg believes, I doubt very seriously that dogs and cats will be in either heaven or the New Earth. Some people want to stone me for this belief but here is my rational. What will be in the New Earth are 'original species' as they were created by God. Cats and dogs are man-manipulated descendants of animals such as wolves and tigers. They will be there. The Bible does mention lions,lambs and serpents. 'nuff sed

[Gail]

Originally Posted By: Neil D

19 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath ; man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. 20 All go to the same place;

From Ecclesiastes 3

Neil,

Thank you so much! You don't know the spiritual comfort that verse provided my wife and daughter and myself. It has been posted in large letters on our refrigerator in our kitchen.

Alex

I love it when a connection like this is made!

[GreatLakesGramma]

As I have stated on this forum before, and no matter what Steve Wohlberg believes, I doubt very seriously that dogs and cats will be in either heaven or the New Earth. Some people want to stone me for this belief but here is my rational. What will be in the New Earth are 'original species' as they were created by God. Cats and dogs are man-manipulated descendants of animals such as wolves and tigers. They will be there. The Bible does mention lions,lambs and serpents. 'nuff sed

I didn't realize you were there when God created the earth. Otherwise, how would you know dogs and cats weren't originally there? You have no proof either way.

[Dottie]

Karl - -

As long as the cats aren't indoor-only!!

[Liz]

Karl - -

As long as the cats aren't indoor-only!!

ROFL!!! You don't want to be that crazy lady with 90 cats in her apartment?

[phkrause]

Have to agree with GLG, Nuf sed. How does anyone really know what animals were originally created.

pk

[Gail]

hahaha

He kinda burst your bubble, didn't he?

Meanie! :)

[Gail]

Heaven will be better than we can ever imagine! Who are we to say what that involves?

[SivartM]

Maybe the cats will turn into lions and the dogs into wolves!

[olger]

[Amelia]

*gp

Dog frequently mentioned both in the Old and New Testaments. Dogs were used by the Hebrews as a watch.

Easton's Bible Dictionary

Exodus 11:7

7 But among the Israelites not a dog will bark at any man or animal.' Then you will know that the LORD makes a distinction between Egypt and Israel.

[Dottie]

There are not only "big cats" that are wild. There are many that have not been domesticated, such as servals, wildcats, lynx, sand cats, and so forth. Because the Bible mentions only(?) lions doesn't mean that God didn't create other types of cats. Besides, I trust Him enough to know that He will always do what is best for us, even if it means little or large cats, dogs, etc.

[cardw]

So - will pets end up in Heaven?

Alex

[cardw]

My wife and daughter are distraught and are praying for a miracle and if none are expecting to see her (the cat) in Heaven. (assuming they both get there but don't tell them I said that)

So - will pets end up in Heaven?

Alex