Will I See My Pets in Heaven?

And God said, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I am making between Me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember My covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth.’ So God said to Noah, ‘This is the sign of the covenant I have established between Me and all life on the earth’” (Genesis 9:12-17 NIV).

 

 Pets are good for humans.  They provide love, joy, and companionship so we know they are good.  James 1:17 teaches us, “Every good gift and every perfect gift is from above and comes down from the Father of lights.”  So, pets are from God, and they are very much good.  Humans that are wise will take actions regarding pets that honors God.

I think many of us have wondered if we will see our pets in Heaven.  To answer this question, we can determine what God values by reading His word to see what He values.    It is noteworthy to me that God instructed Noah to load his ark with animals, not plants, even though plants were created earlier than animals in Genesis 1 and 40 days of flooding would certainly create anaerobic conditions that would certainly kill all plants and animals besides fish.  According to Genesis 7:8-9, “Pairs of clean and unclean animals, of birds and of all creatures that move along the ground, male and female, came to Noah and entered the ark, as God had commanded Noah.”  God created and valued/values animals and they are included in His covenant with man in Genesis 9.

Most birds are not pets and are not given much consideration by society.  However, God values all of His animals.  Matthew 6:26 addresses this by teaching, “Look at the birds of the air; they do not sow or reap or store away in barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them.”  The importance of “mere birds” is also found in Matthew 10:29.  “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground outside your Father’s care.”

I have been blessed to have had so many pets in my life.  As a young boy, I learned the Creation Story and animals are most certainly part of Creation.  Psalm 50:10-11 reads, “For every beast of the forest is Mine, the cattle on a thousand hills. I know all the birds of the hills, and all that moves in the field is Mine.”  I also learned that animals were put here on earth for companionship and a food source, but the earth and all plants and animals on the earth belong to God, and as such we dishonor God if we abuse His earth or His animals.  I support the wise and humane use of animals, but I am equally opposed to the misuse and abuse of animals.

John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, taught that humans are stewards of—and responsible for the care of—God’s creation. When they failed to protect His perfect creation, humans sinned against God, and when pain and suffering then entered the world, animals had to endure it, too. The bond God had created was broken, and humans’ exploitation of and cruelty to animals began. Wesley spoke with anticipation of a new creation in which God would restore animals to their intended glory.

 

Martin Luther, who founded the Lutheran church, held a view similar to Wesley’s, saying, “In Paradise there was complete harmony between man and animals; one day again that harmony will be restored and all creation will be made anew as Christ will be in all and all.”

Scripture is rich in describing the Paradise that awaits Christians upon our Healing.  We all look forward to seeing the Father’s Face as the Son presents us as perfect, clean and without sin.  I am confident that any Perfect resting place for me will also include all of my beloved pets from throughout the years. 

Prayer:  Dear God, Thank you for the blessing of pets.  Their unconditional love, companionship, and goodness is a constant reminder to us that they belong to You as do we.  Help us to be good stewards of all pets and all animals and to make decisions regarding all of Your creatures that bring honor and glory to You.  Amen!

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Todd Shupe is a Men’s Ministry Specialist through the General Commission of United Methodist Men and a Certified Lay Speaker with the Louisiana Conference of the United Methodist Church.  He is a Board Member for Gulf South Men, an Action Team member for The Kingdom Group, and a Board Member for the Lagniappe Community Walk to Emmaus.  Todd is a Past President of the Baton Rouge District of United Methodist Men and remains active in this and many other local, regional, and international ministries.  Todd is the proud father of Emma and Kyle and resides in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

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