Ever since the dawn of time, humans have had a hard time accepting the inevitability of death. And while death is a natural part of life that nobody can escape from, people are still unable to fully understand it. However, according to the Bible, death is not the end, and it’s a mere transition between Earth and Heaven.
But even though that thought should comfort people, it only makes them ask more questions. In fact, an overwhelming number of people are wondering one single thing: do pets go to heaven? Let’s find out!
What Is Heaven?
Generally speaking, Heaven, or Paradise, is the place where beings such as gods, saints, angels, come from and currently reside. Yet, every religion has a different take on Heaven, with some seeing it as a real place while others consider it a state of mind. Nevertheless, the importance of heaven is similar amongst all religions.
When it comes to Christianity, Heaven is the final goal of humans, who were thrown out by God after disobeying his rules. In order to reach heaven, humans have to live godly lives and accept Jesus as their savior. However, anyone can end up in heaven as long as they understand the extent of their sins and take steps to repent.
What Does Heaven Look Like?
Trying to comprehend what Heaven looks like is almost impossible, mainly because no human has ever returned to describe it. Even so, the Bible gives hints in regard to the look and feel of Heaven.
More specifically, according to the Book of Revelation, Heaven is a place where the streets are paved with gold, the gates are made of pearls and the walls are made using precious jewels.
Who Will You Meet in Heaven?
Although the Bible briefly describes how Heaven looks, it doesn’t go into much detail about whom you can meet once you get there. As a result, humans have developed their own interpretations of heaven, some of which are more bizarre than others.
However, there are a few common themes amongst all interpretations of heaven, regardless of culture or religion.
Friends and Family
Heaven is supposed to be the final destination for humans, meaning that it will be filled with your deceased loved ones. From family members to close friends, you will be able to meet with any of them. And, best of all, you’ll have an eternity to catch up and talk about what’s new on Earth.
Angels and Saints
As previously mentioned, heaven is the place where angels and saints currently live. So, it’s not far-fetched to believe that you will meet them once you get there. And while it’s hard to imagine what a conversation with an angel would be like, it’s safe to say that it would be fascinating and engaging.
Personal Heaven
Some people believe that everybody has their own heaven designed based on their preferences. For example, your heaven might be a repeat of that day when you went out fishing with your dad. Therefore, you will only meet the people that you love and truly want to see again.
Do Pets Go To Heaven?
Since there is still a lot of mystery surrounding how Heaven works, it’s impossible to know for sure what happens to pets when they die. But that didn’t stop people from researching and trying to find out more about how Heaven works for pets.
From the Bible to religious leaders, people have been looking everywhere for a bit of hope in regard to their pets.
What Does The Bible Say About It?
According to the Bible, there are animals in Heaven. More specifically, Isaiah 11:6 describes several types of animals living in peace with one another.
And, if God created animals for the Garden of Eden when building his ideal place, he surely included them in Heaven. As a result, it’s not too hard to imagine that your pets could end up in Heaven and enjoy an eternity playing with other animals.
What Do Religious Leaders Think About a Heaven for Pets?
Religious leaders, such as the Pope, are known to have a special connection with God and Heaven. Therefore, they are some of the few people that can accurately describe God’s plan for your pets.
For example, Pope Paul VI has reportedly said that one day, people will see their pets in the eternity of Christ. Similarly, Martin Luther, the founder of the Lutheran church, once stated that in Paradise, there is complete harmony between man and animals. So, there shouldn’t be any doubt about whether animals can enter heaven.
Why Do Some People Want to Meet Their Pets in Heaven?
Let’s be honest — pets are an essential part of everyone’s life. Thus, it’s no wonder why people would want to meet their pets in heaven and spend an eternity with them. Even so, there are other reasons that could compel people to hope for a reunion with their companion. Here are just a few of them:
- Companionship: Although Heaven is filled with friends and family members, some people prefer the companionship of animals. Without your trusty companion, you might feel lonely even when surrounded by millions of people.
- Comfort: The unknown has always scared people and that’s why most of them fear death. Having your companion by your side as you navigate Heaven, on the other hand, can assist you in adjusting to your new surroundings and accepting your death.
- Friendship: Few friendships can measure up to the one between a pet and its owner. Therefore, most people will want to bring their lifelong friends with them to the next stage of their existence.
Can I Know If My Pet Will Go to Heaven?
Even though pets might be allowed in Heaven, there’s still the problem of how they’ll get there. To put it simply, humans can go there after death because they were created in the image of God, meaning that they have a soul.
And, in order to reach Paradise, humans need to repent for their sins. In other words, they need to clean their soul and embrace their higher purpose of standing beside their creator.
Do Pets Have Souls?
There’s still a lot of debate regarding pets and if they have a soul or not. The majority of the debate over pets and their place in Heaven, in fact, revolves around the concept of a soul, or, more specifically, the lack of one.
However, while the Bible isn’t too explicit about animal souls, some religious leaders have made a few comments about the issue.
On the one hand, St. John Paul II believed that animals possess a soul and men must love and feel solidarity with their smaller brethren. On the other hand, Dr. Rick Perrin, senior pastor of the Presbyterian Church, has stated that animals are purely physical beings, as they lack souls. Therefore, while there is still a lot of mystery surrounding the souls of animals, most people accept and believe that pets have souls.
Can Pets Sin?
No one can argue that animals are unable to understand concepts such as morality and sin. And even though some species are smarter than others, they still can’t comprehend a bigger power such as God or Jesus Christ. As a result, you can’t blame pets for doing whatever they feel like it’s right, even if it goes against the laws of God.
For instance, while you know that stealing is a sin, your pet cat has no idea, so it might steal food from other animals or humans without a second thought. In other words, you can’t really analyze your pet’s morality the same way you do as with a human. So, regardless of their actions, pets may be sin-free and may be able to join you in Heaven.
Can Pets Be Saved?
The idea of heaven is linked with concepts such as salvation, redemption, and resurrection. Thus, going to heaven doesn’t happen automatically, and is instead a result of conscious actions that people do. And while the Bible clearly states the requirements for human salvation, it says nothing about animals.
However, that doesn’t mean that your pets can’t be saved. Instead, it may be a sign that pets don’t need to be saved, as they are already sinless. Yet, that isn’t necessarily a confirmation that pets get into Heaven automatically. Rather, it means that the issue of redemption doesn’t apply to animals and isn’t a basis for letting them in or keeping them out.
Do Pets Care?
Although some pets are very intelligent, they don’t usually ask deep philosophical questions. In fact, pets live in the now and don’t really think about tomorrow or next week. So, you shouldn’t expect them to question their existence or what follows it. It’s also safe to assume that they don’t care if they end up in Heaven or Hell.
While that might sound a bit harsh, it’s important to understand that pets are not humans. And while that’s true, it doesn’t erase the fact that your pets dedicate their life to make you as happy as possible.
As a result, you should focus on spending time with your companion and making it feel special. Then, you will be happy knowing that your pet had the most beautiful and interesting life it could ever want.
