Will We See Our Pets in Heaven?

It’s sad when a loved one dies. That includes our pets. I remember as an 11-year-old crying heavily after our family cat Yo-Yo got hit by a car. Last year, a chihuahua owned by a close friend died of old age. I perceived Gracie’s death was imminent. Therefore, I didn’t grieve that much but loved her enough to make this memorial video. Then last Wednesday, a cat belonging to the pastor I’m staying with died. Calico was only five years old. She often had a “cattitude” (hissing at me when I tried giving her affection). Still, I will miss her as well. 

Calico’s death stimulated a short discussion with my pastor about seeing pets again in eternity. We both recalled the Jesse Duplantis video “Close Encounters of the God Kind.” Jesse saw animals in heaven that included dogs. His book of the same name also mentions large cats like lions. My former pastor Mac Hammond filmed a teaching about pets in heaven. It’s his opinion we will be reunited with them. 


Scripture doesn’t give a clear answer on this, but we will see other kinds of heavenly creatures such as these described in Revelation 4:


6 Before the throne there was a sea of glass, like crystal. And in the midst of the throne, and around the throne, were four living creatures full of eyes in front and in back. 

7 The first living creature was like a lion, the second living creature like a calf, the third living creature had a face like a man, and the fourth living creature was like a flying eagle. 

8 The four living creatures, each having six wings, were full of eyes around and within. And they do not rest day or night, saying: “Holy, holy, holy, Lord God Almighty, Who was and is and is to come!”


Revelation 19:11,14 mentions Jesus and His armies returning to earth on white horses. During the Millennial reign of Christ, Isaiah 11:6 talks about the return of peaceful relations between man and beasts we currently consider dangerous: “The wolf will live with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the goat. The calf, the young lion, and the fatling will be together, and a child will lead them.” Verse 8 goes on to say, “The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den.”


God values animals. He saved some (but not all) of them during the flood. Animals do not have equal status with humans. Psalm 32:9 says, “Do not be like the horse or like the mule, which have no understanding, which must be harnessed with bit and bridle, else they will not come near you.” Man has the unique ability to reason. He can choose to accept or reject God’s gift of eternal life.


Proverbs 12:10 (NIV) says, “The righteous care for the needs of their animals.” So enjoy your pets while they are on earth. If we get together with them in heaven, great! I’d like to see Yo-Yo, Gracie, and Calico again. Either way, make sure you don’t value your pets more than people that need redemption. If your dog and a non-believer were drowning in a raging river, who would you try to save first? The answer should be obvious. Jesus came to bring salvation to humans, not animals.


“Do not fear therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows.” - Matthew 10:31

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