Our 5 year old son was requesting a family meeting. We were only three of us, so it was pretty easy to assemble right away. Before he began, he asked us to finish him what he had to say before we asked him a question. We agreed. It was a very passionate speech about dating, friends, talking and listening. His conclusion is, “I, so that you can see, need dog. “He gave his case a break.
Obviously, to comment now, I said, “I've heard of a lot of people who want dogs, babies. Unless they're a service dog, they don't necessarily have a dog. It's not necessarily necessary.”
“I need to talk to someone,” Christian explained.
“You can talk to us,” Barry replied.
“In other words About You,” he revealed.
An excellent point. I bought a bell that weekend.
It's difficult to put into words the love that pets bring to us as humans. I am constantly moved by the social media photos of the strong bonds that exist between my pet and its owner, pet, and each other. In fact, if I check out people I follow on Instagram, more than half of them are animals. They bring so much joy. Animals have always been part of our story. When we returned to the beginning of creation, before God created Eve from one of Adam's ribs, he buried all sorts of wonderful creatures in Eden.
We were God's original plan to live with animals in peace and harmony. If it is God's original plan in Eden, it is not unreasonable to assume that one day we will enjoy these beautiful gifts from God again.
In the revelation given to John, he heard Jesus say from the throne, “Look, I make everything new!” (Revelation 21:5).
Jesus doesn't say I'm making it Something new. He says I'm making it Everything is new. It must include everything God created in Eden, the perfect garden where Adam was asked to give names to all living creatures.
Reading in Genesis 6, we see again the importance of animals to God's creation. When God decided to inundate the earth due to excessive wickedness, his instructions to Noah when he built the boat was to ensure that the animals had survived as well.
Bring all kinds of animals (men and women) Boat with you to keep them alive during floods. All kinds of pairs of birds, all kinds of animals, and small animals of all kinds Such a scully along the ground will come to you to stay alive. and Make sure to bring enough food for your family and everyone animal. (Genesis 6:19-21)
So, what do we know for certain about heavenly animals? Well, we certainly know that there are horses in heaven. Elijah was taken to heaven in a carriage of fire, painted by a horse (2 Kings 2:11). In Revelation 6:2, “I looked up and saw there standing a white horse. The rider carried a bow, and the crown was placed on his head. He won many battles, I rode to win.”
If the animals were always part of God's plan for us, I am sure they will become part of our eternal life with him. In heaven, we will become us now, but without sin, the animals that knew the particular beauty, grace and strength of Eden will be completed again. (Maybe our dog Maggie will stop barking?)
The Prophet Isaiah wrote about our future home:
The wolves and lambs live that day together;
The leopard lies down with the goat.
The calves and first graders are safe with lions,
And the little one will guide them all.
The cows are grazing near the bear.
The child and calf lie down together.
Lions eat hay like cows.
The baby will play safely near the cobra hole.
Yes, a small child places his hand in a deadly nest
A harmless snake.
There is nothing to hurt or destroy in all my holy mountains;
Because water fills the ocean,
Therefore, the earth is filled with people who know the Lord. (11:6-9)
But the question is, “How about my pet? Is my dog there or is it a newly created dog or cat?” I love what my friend Joni Arkson Tada shared. In one of her books Just as she thought of heaven.
If God brings our pets back to life, it won't surprise me. It's going to happen Like him. It would be perfectly in line with his generousness character. …Exorbitant. Excessive. Luxury in the aftermath of blessing. In all the stunning discoveries and e-commerce that heaven holds For us, the possibility of seeing scrappies is purely whimsical – absolutely, I'm pleased, surprisingly extra.
Billy Graham was once asked by a young girl if the dog was in heaven. He asked her if it would make her happy. When she assured him it would be, he said he was sure her dog was there. Have you ever wished your dog or cat could speak? I know I have. I think it's fascinating that when the snake talks to Eve in the garden of Eden, she wasn't surprised that he could speak.
“The snake was the most skillful of all the wild animals that the Lord God created. One day he asked a woman: 1).
If all animals have the ability to speak in heaven, wouldn't that be great? We cannot know that now, but we live a pure life free from sin, mistrust, and fear, so animals are raised by beings and nobility that we knew in Eden before autumn. I'm sure.
This essay was adapted from “Hope of heaven”“ Sheila Walsh©2024. Used by permission of Baker's Booka division of Baker Publishing Group.
