Animals are amazing creatures that bring us joy. We enjoy walking dogs, riding horses, and cuddling with cats. These critters serve as pets, service animals, farm aids, etc. and are an amazing gift from God. Every animal lover has probably wondered where animals go when they die and if we will have our pets in Heaven. Let's see what the Bible says about our furry friends!
The Bible tells us about how animals will behave in the future Kingdom of Heaven. When Christ returns and sets up His Millennial Kingdom, this planet will be completely different from what we see right now (see Dispensations lesson for more details). During His Kingdom reign, animals will be at peace with each other. The Bible says in the book of Isaiah that "the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, saith the Lord" (65:25).
Furthermore, the Bible says in Isaiah chapter 11 that "the wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. And the cow and the bear shall feed; their young ones shall lie down together: and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. And the sucking child shall play on the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the cockatrice' den" (v 6-8).
None of us will ever have to worry about being attacked by an animal. They will be so calm and joyful that they will follow the little children! A baby will be able to play with vipers (asps) that are dangerous today and play with basilisks (cockatrice) that are terrified of humans in our present day!
The Bible says in 2 Kings 6:17, and Revelation 19:11 and 14 that there are horses in Heaven. Horses were used to transport Elijah to Heaven in ancient Israel. At the end of the 7-year Tribulation, we will return to Earth with Jesus at Armageddon riding horses.
What about other animals though?
In Hebrews 9:23, the Apostle Paul stated that there are things on Earth that are patterns of things in Heaven. Perhaps that is the case with other animals. Ezekiel and John saw creatures that had the faces of eagles, oxen, calves, and lions (Ez. 1:10, Rev. 4:7). Eagles, oxen, calves, and lions are animals that we have on Earth today.
King Solomon wrote in Ecclesiastes, "to every thing there is a season, and a time to every purpose under the Heaven: A time to be born, and a time to die... 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 beast that goeth downward to the earth?" (3:2, 20-21). King Solomon was saying that we are all born and we all die, but only humans go to Heaven upon death (providing that person is saved through the blood of Jesus).
The Bible tells us what our experiences will be like with animals in the Kingdom of Heaven, but does not conclusively state if God will resurrect our pets to play with us in our mansions (Jn. 14:2). I would submit that the Bible gives us the answer in this verse:
"For, behold, I create new heavens and a new earth: and the former shall not be remembered, nor come into mind." - Isaiah 65:17
When Jesus sets up His 1,000 Kingdom on Earth, none of us will remember the pets we once had. Never forget that God's plan is much greater than ours. He knows what is best for us. God continued to say to the prophet Isaiah:
"But be ye glad and rejoice for ever in that which I create: for, behold, I create Jerusalem a rejoicing, and her people a joy. And I will rejoice in Jerusalem, and joy in my people: and the voice of weeping shall be no more heard in her, nor the voice of crying. There shall be no more thence an infant of days, nor an old man that hath not filled his days: for the child shall die an hundred years old; but the sinner being an hundred years old shall be accursed. And they shall build houses, and inhabit them; and they shall plant vineyards, and eat the fruit of them. They shall not build, and another inhabit; they shall not plant, and another eat: for as the days of a tree are the days of my people, and mine elect shall long enjoy the work of their hands.They shall not labour in vain, nor bring forth for trouble; for they are the seed of the blessed of the Lord, and their offspring with them. And it shall come to pass, that before they call, I will answer; and while they are yet speaking, I will hear. The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord." - (65:18-25).
Revelation 21:1-4 gives a similar description as well.
We will have new pets that never get sick or cause allergic reactions in our children or attack other animals. We will not remember this corrupted world where joyful thoughts are always connected with fear and loss.