July 25
Do dogs go to heaven? This is a question that dog lovers and those who are allergic to these frisky creatures might ponder on any given day. While those who count their beloved pets as members of the family can’t see any reason why Fido won’t be there, those who have an aversion to dogs, for whatever reason, are hoping he won’t.
The Bible tells us in Isaiah 11:6, “The wolf shall lie down with the lamb…and a little child shall lead them,” so we know there will be no fear among various species of animals that are predator and prey in our fallen world, and humans will be able to interact with fearsome animals who are too wild to tame as things are today.
We also know that there is a blanket promise regarding death that seems to include all of life in Romans 8:21. Here Paul states, “Creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God." We know that Jesus died that everyone who believes in Him may have eternal life.
This passage seems to indicate that when the Kingdom of the One who inhabits eternity has been attained, representatives of all species of creation will be found there. It is hard to imagine that creation, which the Word says is groaning in anticipation of deliverance from corruption (Romans 8:22), shall be disappointed on that glorious day.
There are some who contend that these scriptural references are not to the presence of animals in Heaven but in the millennial kingdom.
ReplyDeleteIf we are willing to trust the Lord for salvation, if we lay our lives at His feet for time and eternity, we have embraced the one point of doctrine and faith that is essential.
We can then leave all other matters entirely to His discretion.