Genesis

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Bible Question: I don't know of any verses to help me with what I am going through, as far as grief. Someone shot my pet that I loved, very, very much and I had to have it put to sleep. Having it was such a joy and it was such a friend; it was just a little over a year old and so full of life. The Bible says that when we loose a person, that is a believer, that we sorrow not as those who have no hope, because we know that we will see them again and be with them, just as king David stated about the loss of his young son. I went to the Throne of Grace and ask for the Lord to help me with this problem and that was all I could do. There might be some that think I am very foolish about this but believe me I really hurt. Does anyone have any verses on the future of animals or at least a good comforting concept? I know from scripture that there are horses in Heaven but what else. A suffering brother in Christ, CDBJ

Bible Answer: Dear CDBJ,

I'm sorry for the loss of your pet. Pets are usually better companions and more loyal to us that humans are. In fact, all of nature declares God's glory and I think some pets exhibit a facet of the kind of unconditional love for us that our heavenly Father has in abundance. But, unfortunately, we find no references in the scriptures concerning our beloved pets having eternal life (or eternal punishment, either, thank God). The creation account in Genesis does tell us that animals are 'souls' i.e. they have intellect, emotions, and will (ask any pet owner). So they do have one of man's attributes - a living soul. But there is no record of someone's pet entering eternal life. Are there animals in heaven? Well, there certainly appear to be. But there is no indication that I have found that they were once beloved pets. There are some really strange sounding creatures around the throne. Are these representative of other 'alien' races that God has created, but never fell? I don't know. We just don't have much info here.

I'm not saying the following as an easy fix. There is no easy fix to the death that all creation is subjected to. It is all part of the original curse. But what I can tell you is that though you grieve now, in heaven you will have no need for or even miss your pets. God will wipe away all our tears and He will finally be all in all. I'm not trying to be insensitive to your pain here. I know it hurts. But you have to admit, CDBJ, that it is better to have loved and lost than never to have been loved at all.

In Christ,
Bill Mc