Will there be pets in heaven?

*This week’s question is answered by Curt Zahm.

It has been asked, “Will there be pets in Heaven?” This is difficult to answer because, like so many questions we have, this isn’t explicitly answered in scripture. God’s focus has always been on man, his children here on Earth. The redemption story is focused on our salvation and doesn’t mention our pets. This could lead us to think that because God didn’t say our pets will be in Heaven that they won’t, but he didn’t say that either. It’s actually interesting how many scholars and theologians have discussed this very question.

I have a fear that we are so attached to our pets, in some cases, because we are built for relationship. That relationship is intended for God. We are also encouraged in scripture to share our lives together with other believers as well. There are a significant portion of people who are lonely in our world of social media and technology which is supposed to connect us, but has in fact done the opposite. In that loneliness we reach for relationship and that can sometimes be found in a wonderful pet. They always give attention and worship to their owners, which is what we want in a friend. I wonder at times if God didn’t give us a dog because a dog mirrors the relationship God wants from us. Think about the way a dog behaves, if he were you and you were God. Don’t you think he would be a very good Christian? He’s always waiting on you to arrive and when you do, he loses his mind with euphoria. I know mine has to run for a couple minutes to get through the realization that I’m home. When you are home, he is present. He constantly wants to be close to you. He relies on you for everything that he needs. Are we that focused on God?

In Isaiah 61 it says, “Strangers will shepherd your flocks; foreigners will work your fields and vineyards.” This passage doesn’t have a mindset toward animals at all, but It is a vision of the renewed creation. The idea in the passage being that your occupation in Heaven will be a priest to God and not what it was on earth, but it seems that there are obviously animals in Heaven. There are mention of flocks here. So, it seems clear that there are animals in Heaven, but the question could be more specific. Will my pet be in Heaven? This is even more difficult to answer. Again, it isn’t stated in scripture. I don’t think anyone can say with certainty, but  it does seem that there will be animals, which are part of God’s creation, in Heaven. Our longing for our specific pet to be in heaven could be rooted in a longing for relationship with the Heavenly Father. Have you talked to Him today?