Question:
Sir: I take issue with you! You say that animals do not go to heaven. Their are scriptures that state that a mans soul returns to the grave. Some Christians believe that we do not spend eternity in Heaven. It is my belief that those who are worthy will spend eternity with God. Also, I have read scriptures that suggest animals might go to Heaven. I suggest you read “Will I see Fido in Heaven” One must not assume that the Almighty Creator will want us to not have our beloved pets. Did not the little girl see birds and flowers? You may say that they are mere manifestations, but I can say that they can be the spiritual equivalents of past life. I am not sure. Please tell me what you think upon further reflection!
Answer:
Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 says, “I said in mine heart concerning the estate of the sons of men, that God might manifest them, and that they might see that they themselves are beasts. For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; all are of the dust, and all turn to dust again. Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of THE SPIRIT OF THE BEAST THAT GOETH DOWNWARD TO THE EARTH?”
Both man and beast die, and their bodies go back to the dust. “For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; so that a man hath no preeminence above a beast: for all is vanity. All go unto one place; ALL ARE OF THE DUST, AND ALL TURN TO DUST AGAIN.”
From that point, is where man and the animals greatly differ after death. “Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth?” When the animal dies, it is all over. But when a person dies, it is not all over, but it is just beginning. Either eternity with the Lord, or eternity in hell fire.
I Thessalonians 4:13-18 tells us what happens to Christians. “But I would not have you to be ignorant, brethren, concerning them which are asleep, that ye sorrow not, even as others which have no hope. For if we believe that Jesus died and rose again, even so them also which sleep in Jesus will God bring with him. For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air: and SO SHALL WE EVER BE WITH THE LORD. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.”
But to the unsaved person, as soon as their eyes close in death, the real torment only begins. Luke 16:19-31 says, “There was a certain rich man, which was clothed in purple and fine linen, and fared sumptuously every day: And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, which was laid at his gate, full of sores, And desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man’s table: moreover the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass, that the beggar died, and was carried by the angels into Abraham’s bosom: the rich man also died, and was buried; And in hell he lift up his eyes, being in torments, and seeth Abraham afar off, and Lazarus in his bosom. And he cried and said, Father Abraham, have mercy on me, and send Lazarus, that he may dip the tip of his finger in water, and cool my tongue; for I am tormented in this flame. But Abraham said, Son, remember that thou in thy lifetime receivedst thy good things, and likewise Lazarus evil things: but now he is comforted, and thou art tormented. And beside all this, between us and you there is a great gulf fixed: so that they which would pass from hence to you cannot; neither can they pass to us, that would come from thence. Then he said, I pray thee therefore, father, that thou wouldest send him to my father’s house: For I have five brethren; that he may testify unto them, lest they also come into this place of torment. Abraham saith unto him, They have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them. And he said, Nay, father Abraham: but if one went unto them from the dead, they will repent. And he said unto him, If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded, though one rose from the dead.”
Then one day, all of the lost will be resurrected to face the Great White Throne Judgment, and will be cast into the Lake of Fire to suffer the exact degree of torment which they deserve for ever and ever. Revelation 20:11-15 says, “And I saw a great white throne, and him that sat on it, from whose face the earth and the heaven fled away; and there was found no place for them. And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God; and the books were opened: and another book was opened, which is the book of life: and the dead were judged out of those things which were written in the books, according to their works. And the sea gave up the dead which were in it; and death and hell delivered up the dead which were in them: and they were judged every man according to their works. And death and hell were cast into the lake of fire. This is the second death. And whosoever was not found written in the book of life was cast into the lake of fire.”
It is the heathen religions that teach that people are reincarnated and come back as animals. The Bible never teaches that at all, but rather tells us that what we are seeing today (the exaltation of animals) would happen in the last days. Romans 1:25 says, “Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and WORSHIPPED AND SERVED THE CREATURE MORE THAN THE CREATOR, who is blessed for ever. Amen.”
Come to Christ today. Repent of your sin, and by faith receive Jesus Christ as your personal Savior. John 1:12 says, “But as many as received him, to them gave he power to become the sons of God, even to them that believe on his name.”