Do animals go to heaven when they die?

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1The Bible does not say anything specific about whether our pets, for example, will go to heaven after they die. But there are a couple of things the Bible does show us that may be helpful to think about:

Firstly, we are unique. Humans are not just another animal. We have been created in God’s image to be like Him (Genesis chapter 2, verse 7). And God originally made us to live forever with Him (Ecclesiastes chapter 3, verse 11). Animals, and our pets, do not have this special status with God. They do not think, act or understand like us; neither do they have the same spiritual relationship with God that we enjoy. This difference may well mean that our pets will not be in heaven with us, as they were not created to have an unending relationship with God, like we were.

Secondly, we need to remember that God created all the animals and said they were good (Genesis chapter 1, verse 25). So we should expect animals, and possibly even pets, to be in the good and perfect “new heaven and earth” God will create after He brings this world to a close (Revelation chapter 21, verse 1). It is impossible to say for sure whether some of these animals might be the same pets we had while here on earth. We do know that God is good and perfect in what He does. So when we get to heaven, and understand better what He has done, we will find ourselves in complete agreement with His decision on this issue, whatever it may be.

— Chris, an Our Daily Bread reader

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