Resources by Topic: Heaven

The earth was created for inhabitants, and animals were a part of creation before the fall. Would God think animals were a mistake and not put them on the new earth? Randy Alcorn explains that many verses in Scripture show that God has immense concern for animals and will make them a part of the coming kingdom. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn looks at verses from Isaiah that describe the peace between animals that will be in the world to come. But he stresses that this doesn't only apply during the Millenium. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

We are familiar with Romans 1:20, which tells us that God is made known through creation, but we forget this means animals as well as the mountains, trees and rivers. Randy Alcorn asserts that the higher the creation, the more it reveals about God. Man is the highest form of creation, and animals next. Randy shares a few more verses that demonstrate how animals reveal God as well. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

In Revelation we are told all living creatures will praise the glory of God. Randy Alcorn explains that the word translated as "living creatures" is normally translated as "animals." Even the animals will glorify God in Heaven. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Randy Alcorn looks at several Scriptures that show humans are meant to have a concern for animals because they were all put under our care. God values them, and all living creatures bring praise to Him. so we should value them as well. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

The command to observe the Sabbath in Exodus 20:9-10 includes animals. Even they are to rest, demonstrating God's care for all living creatures. In fact, historically, Christianity has held the view that animals have souls though Randy Alcorn explains their souls are very different from human souls. Only man is made in the image of God. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

From the book of Jonah, Randy Alcorn shows that God delights in all living creatures including animals. In fact, the Bible talks about animals praising God simply by the fact that they bring pleasure to Him as living creatures. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

The covenant God made with Noah was actually an everlasting covenant with Noah and all living creatures in all future generations. This includes animals. Randy Alcorn explains that this emphasizes God's care for all living creatures. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

In this clip, Randy Alcorn highlights God's value of all living creatures, not just humans, demonstrated in the covenant He made after the flood. The Lord specifically says that He is making the covenant with Noah and all the animals with him in the ark. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Genesis uses the same word to refer to animals and humans. Though this does not mean that animals are equal to humans, Randy Alcorn explains that it does indicate that there is something special and unique that all living creatures share compared to the rest of creation - trees, rocks, etc. This is an important distinction in a culture that talks about "our cousin, tree." This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

When you think of Heaven as people floating around on clouds, the idea of floating animals seems strange. But when you understand Heaven in terms of the New Earth, there is incredible continuity between the old world and new world. Randy Alcorn explains that animals were a part of God's perfect creation on the first earth and will therefore be part of the new one. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

There is every reason to believe that we will continue our relationships with family in Heaven. Though we may not be a family the way were in this life, Randy Alcorn suggests that God may even make the seating arrangements in Heaven by families. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

In this clip, Randy Alcorn explains that marriage in this life is a sign post for the marriage of all believers to Christ in Heaven. Once the destination is reached, the sign post is not necessary. So we should not be worried that we will not marry each other in Heaven but rejoice that we will marry the Eternal Bridegroom. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.

Some take Jesus' statement in Matthew 22, that we will be like angels in that we will not marry, to mean that we will in general be like or become angels. Randy Alcorn explains that this is not the case. Jesus is only comparing us to angels regarding the specific issue of marriage in Heaven. Scripture makes it clear that we will not marry, but we will not become angels. People are people. Angels are Angels. This video clip was excerpted from Randy's Eternity 101 DVD class.