Tim Maas Supporter Retired Quality Assurance Specialist with the U.S. Army

Certain portions of Scripture (such as Isaiah 11:6-8) speak of a future time of peace (presumably connected with the second coming of Christ and the close of the present age) that will be characterized by animals dwelling in peace with man and with each other. (However, God (speaking through the prophet) may have been expressing this in metaphorical (rather than literal) terms for emphasis, or to promote understanding of how complete the state of peace will be.) 

The English Christian commentator C. S. Lewis speculated that dogs might be present in heaven, due to their close companionship with humans, and the happiness that they provide to people, during their earthly lives, but (as far as I am aware) he did not cite a Scriptural basis for that opinion.

I think that the most that can definitely be said is that God knows all that is needed for the redeemed to live in perfect, eternal joy and peace, and will provide it. For a saved person to long for anything that He does not provide (especially while actually being in God's presence) would (in my opinion) indicate that the person possesses a greater love for it (and, by extension, for the things of this life and world) than for God.

August 07 2017 • 2 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report

Ursula S Monroe Supporter

I believe that there will animals in the new creation and that when God lives among us on His new earth. Why? Because in Eden the animals lived and spoke with Adam and Eve. Why else would they have accepted speech from a snake? Why else would God declare fear between animals and humans when He drove them out of the garden? I look at Genesis where God creates all the birds, fish, and animals and saw it was good. Originally it wasn't as a food source until humans sinned. This bodes the question that maybe the sin of the snake by allowing Satan entrance that animals we're condemned too. I believe all creation is bound together as one. Why else would God have created all of it?

August 08 2017 • 0 responses • Vote Up • Share • Report