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Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/26/2010 4:38:36 PM
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edlove50
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This is a topic of much debate between my wife and I. I'm interested in others opinions on this topic, which is why I posted this. Personally, I don't believe when a dog or cat (pet) dies they go to heaven. I do believe there are animals already in heaven because God created them. Pets have no way of asking for forgiveness of sins and asking Christ in their hearts because they don't have the ability to speak. We both had pets growing up, and since being married, that were like family members. So, naturally my wife thinks we'll see them in Heaven. Again, I don't believe this. In a way, I sure would like to think I am wrong because I was really attached to our pets. But I find no scriptural basis for this. What is your take on this?
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/26/2010 4:51:47 PM
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Kat_D
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The Bible says there will be animals in heaven however, I agree with you (for the same reasons that you gave) that Fido and Smelly Cat won't be there.
Wait while I put on my asbestos suit.
_____________________________
~Kat
"...And God will wipe away every tear from their eyes...no more death, sorrow, nor crying."
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/26/2010 4:53:36 PM
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Eutychus
Posts: 9879
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From: Dothan, AL
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Pets don't need to repent for sinning against God. Only humans do. And being able to speak isn't a requirement of salvation. There have been people saved without ever having the ability to speak. Helen Keller was one.
There is no definitive answer in scripture about the destiny of animals when they die. But I've heard it said by a Bible scholar and pastor, if it takes having animals to make it heaven for us, then they will be there.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/26/2010 5:56:58 PM
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ta_mosquito
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Moved from Relationships to Christian Doctrine.
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/26/2010 11:59:31 PM
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Ps103
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quote:
This is a topic of much debate between my wife and I.
Out of curiosity--why?
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Fasten your seatbelts...it's going to be a bumpy night.
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/27/2010 12:32:42 PM
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edlove50
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Hello Ps103, my wife has been really attached to three pets. A chihuahua who died on her lap during a move, a poodle we had for almost 15 years (his quality of life was not good - blind, mass in his chest and other problems so I was the one who had him put down) and now we have a chihuahua (Peanut) for a little over a year. I love our pets but I am not as attached as she has been. She really believes the two previous pets are in heaven and when Peanut goes same thing. I will try and find the book Psalm274 recommended. I posted this topic just to get others opinions. I still don't believe when a pet dies here they go to heaven simply for the reasons I stated in my initial post but I am interested in others opinions and thoughts. I too can't wait to get to heaven and can't imagine the joy and love to experience when we get there. Thanks to all who have shared - I am interested in others opinions also.
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/27/2010 1:03:16 PM
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laura...
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quote:
I still don't believe when a pet dies here they go to heaven simply for the reasons I stated in my initial post but I am interested in others opinions and thoughts.
I don't believe that our pets go to heaven but not for the reason you have given.
quote:
Pets have no way of asking for forgiveness of sins and asking Christ in their hearts because they don't have the ability to speak.
Animals have no sin to be forgiven of. Animals do not have a sinful nature. They make no moral choices. They can neither accept nor deny Jesus Christ as Savior. They do not have eternal souls which is why I believe they will not be in heaven.
I also do not see any scripture that would indicate that there are animals in heaven except perhaps some horses as mentioned in Revelations but those are more likely symbol than literal. I expect that there will be animals on the New Earth (Revelations 21).
With all that said... Why are you debating your wife about this? It hurts nothing for your wife to believe that someday she may see her pets again. Such a belief does not put her salvation at risk. In my opinion it is an unprofitable debate that will not enhance your marriage.
_____________________________
Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the author and perfecter of our faith... ...so that you will not grow weary and lose heart. Hebrew 12:3-4
Follow me on Twitter: MrsLalaD
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/27/2010 5:20:54 PM
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doinkdom
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Ya know...if your wife is "having" or "will have" difficulty with the loss of a pet...why does it matter?
Will it affect your salvation?
Will it affect anything here on earth 'cept maybe give your wife some peace?
I just don't see why this should be a hill to die on as far as determining the biblically correct answer.
It took me almost a year to get over losing our pet 2 years ago. I know in my heart that pets are most likely not in heaven. However, my husband was kind enough not to point that out to me and instead, just loved me through my tears.
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Our furball Niko, lounging around...
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/28/2010 1:39:04 AM
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wolfvanzandt
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The hint in Ecclesiastes is that humans return to heaven and animals return to earth. That's not to far fetched since humans get their spirit directly from God, whereas animals get theirs from the earth (it wasn't directly breathed into them by God - they were "brought forth" from the earth.)
That doesn't mean that they will cease to exist. Spirit is probably eternal regardless of the destination and nature is also to be redeemed when Christ returns - you may have to visit the New Earth, though, to visit your erstwhile pets.
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/28/2010 1:46:44 PM
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Doghouse
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...dogs do...
...I'm not sure about cats...
_____________________________
...since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith...
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 5/28/2010 5:44:33 PM
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Doghouse
Posts: 1463
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From: The Buckle of the Bible Belt
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quote:
Of course, if the Lion will lay down with a lamb, dogs and cats might be pals in heaven.
If hope and desire count for anything, you and I will find this out someday...
_____________________________
...since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us rid ourselves of every burden and sin that clings to us and persevere in running the race that lies before us while keeping our eyes fixed on Jesus, the leader and perfecter of faith...
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 6/1/2010 8:40:05 AM
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edlove50
Posts: 69
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quote:
ORIGINAL: laura...
With all that said... Why are you debating your wife about this? It hurts nothing for your wife to believe that someday she may see her pets again. Such a belief does not put her salvation at risk. In my opinion it is an unprofitable debate that will not enhance your marriage.
Hello Laura,
You are absolutely correct in what you say. I do respect her beliefs that one day she will see them in heaven. She has loved every pet she has owned and she misses them dearly. Me - no real emotional attachment there so when they are gone they are gone. As far as the debates between my wife and I - our debates are done in fun. Many of our talks involved reminiscing about the fun things we did with our pets and the laughter they brought into our lives. Believe me there were many times like that. We also agree to disagree and we both disagree on whether or not pets go to heaven when they die. We have also laughed over some of the serious discussions we have had so these discussions have not hurt our marriage but did enhance it.
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 6/2/2010 1:03:10 PM
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cajunhillbilly
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I do not know if our pets will be in heaven. Scripture does not say. I hope they are as I miss all my pets and would love for them to be there too.
_____________________________
"A Stargate. You know, kind of a ring thing. Comes with a dialer. You hit some symbols. The lights come on. It spins around. And then it flushes sideways" Jack O'Neill on Stargate SG1
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 6/5/2010 10:00:00 PM
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deerhunter721
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quote:
ORIGINAL: Soxfan
quote:
ORIGINAL: nuclear_sidewalk
you know who will be there, though? Jesus. That's pretty much what I'd tell anyone asking about this. If we'll get to see God in all of His glory there, who honestly cares about a pet? 
AMEN!! I would venture to say that once I realize that I will be spending eternity alongside Almighty God, having Fluffy or Fido by my side will be irrelevant
I completely agree with you both, and hold the same feelings! JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD will be there! I think what the issue behind this whole discussion is a man centered view of Heaven vs. a God centered view of Heaven. My assesment and belief is that being WITH Christ, and glorification to Christlikeness is the goal, heaven is just where it all happens. Once souls see the absoulute perfection, awe, and holiness of Christ Jesus, our earthly life, and possesions will be forgotten. When I think of Heaven, I think of Jesus. It is difficult to imagine it anyother way.
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 6/7/2010 5:32:50 PM
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Eutychus
Posts: 9879
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
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quote:
ORIGINAL: deerhunter721
quote:
ORIGINAL: Soxfan
quote:
ORIGINAL: nuclear_sidewalk
you know who will be there, though? Jesus. That's pretty much what I'd tell anyone asking about this. If we'll get to see God in all of His glory there, who honestly cares about a pet?
AMEN!! I would venture to say that once I realize that I will be spending eternity alongside Almighty God, having Fluffy or Fido by my side will be irrelevant
I completely agree with you both, and hold the same feelings! JESUS CHRIST OUR LORD will be there! I think what the issue behind this whole discussion is a man centered view of Heaven vs. a God centered view of Heaven. My assesment and belief is that being WITH Christ, and glorification to Christlikeness is the goal, heaven is just where it all happens. Once souls see the absoulute perfection, awe, and holiness of Christ Jesus, our earthly life, and possesions will be forgotten. When I think of Heaven, I think of Jesus. It is difficult to imagine it anyother way.
IMHO, a man centered view of heaven is one that's unconcerned by the millions not receiving the Gospel through their efforts and, so, will be eternally separated from God. Not because some Christians have tender hearts toward their four legged companions and friends for they are more likely to have the hearts of little children. Jesus said of those; "for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these."
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 6/7/2010 5:51:37 PM
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bolt.
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I've always been confused as to why people think anybody 'goes to heaven when they die' -- we have a serious lack of Biblical information regarding anything that happens after death. We know about a resurrection, new heavens and a new earth. We know about the spiritual events of the end times. We know nothing about 'where' someone 'goes' upon death. I've begun to seriously wonder if it is a false teaching.
To me, as far as conjecture goes, I can't see the point of new heavens and earth (complete with a new Jerusalem) if the only living thing to be resurrected are people. God made animals when He made the first heavens and earth, why would resurrection of animal life not be the natural result of the new creation?
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RE: Do pets go to heaven when they die? - 6/7/2010 5:54:13 PM
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Eutychus
Posts: 9879
Joined: 4/11/2005
From: Dothan, AL
Status: online
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quote:
ORIGINAL: bolt.
I've always been confused as to why people think anybody 'goes to heaven when they die' -- we have a serious lack of Biblical information regarding anything that happens after death. We know about a resurrection, new heavens and a new earth. We know about the spiritual events of the end times. We know nothing about 'where' someone 'goes' upon death. I've begun to seriously wonder if it is a false teaching.
To me, as far as conjecture goes, I can't see the point of new heavens and earth (complete with a new Jerusalem) if the only living thing to be resurrected are people. God made animals when He made the first heavens and earth, why would resurrection of animal life not be the natural result of the new creation?
Among other evidence, Paul said to be absent from the body is to be present with the Lord. Scripture says that the Lord is sitting at the right hand of the Father. So, wherever Jesus and the Father reside, that's where I expect to be when I die.
_____________________________
Jesus answered and said to them, "This is the work of God, that you believe in Him whom He has sent." -John 6:29
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