Resources by Topic: Animals

When I was answering a question about animals and the New Earth, a comment was said about cats. I have to shake my head at this often-repeated joke, because I’ve been in three different churches where the pastor said from the pulpit that he thinks all dogs go to Heaven, but not cats. It’s good for laughs, but not funny to people who love their cats.

If you’ve experienced the love of an animal, whether it’s from a horse, a dog, a cat, or any other kind of animal, you know it’s profoundly moving. And no wonder, since God has coupled mankind and the animal kingdom, not only through the order of creation, but also through His mandate that we govern the animals.

While God certainly does not value animals as much as He does people of every tribe, nation and language, not only the creation account but also the flood account proves God does value animals of every species, genus, and family.

Jim Abernethy, a well-known diver and underwater photographer, works primarily with sharks. Years ago in the Bahamas, Jim encountered a large tiger shark he named Emma. 

Our life in God's presence will be fullness of joy. Upon our deaths, we’ll be face to face with goodness Himself, and we’ll be able to ask Jesus our questions directly. And for now, we can rest in His character: His goodness, mercy, kindness, and abundant grace. 

Having lost a beloved dog to disease, I can empathize with the pain you are feeling over the impending death of your furry friend. Death is not a normal part of our life, at least not the life God wanted for us. I suppose that’s why it hurts so much.

God put everything under Adam’s dominion and stewardship. Genesis 3 tells us God cursed the whole earth as a result of Adam’s sin. That Curse had an ongoing dramatic effect on both humankind and animals, as part of creation. 

Randy and Greg Laurie talk about what happens to pets when they die? Might there be talking animals in Heaven?

Two years ago, the arrival of our Double Doodle puppy, Gracie, brought new energy and joy into our home, during a very difficult season of our lives. Together, Nanci and I thanked God for His goodness and how He reveals Himself in His creation. Every time Gracie made us laugh, which was many times a day, together we saw the delightfulness of her Creator and ours.

We’ve received many notes from readers over the years, who recently lost or are anticipating the loss of their animals, and are grateful for the perspectives I shared about pets—especially after the deaths of our Dalmatian Moses and our Golden Retriever Maggie.

Randy explains his thoughts about this question and talks about how Romans 8 can be applied to help us understand the relationship between animals that live on the current earth, and ones that will live on the New Earth.

Randy talks about whether there will be animals on the New Earth. 

The bottom line is we don’t know how that will all work out, but we do know that God is good, and that we can trust Him.

Randy, I understand that you and I have the same affection for animals under our care as I’ve read an article you wrote concerning animals in Heaven. Is spaying and neutering our pets allowed by our faith? Personally, I don’t like the idea as it seems to control and alter what God has designed/created.