Questions about Heaven (2)

Are there animals in Heaven? Since Jesus will return on a white horse and The Earth is a copy of Heaven, it would seem to me there are.

There are three answers/thoughts when it comes to answering this question and they are all interesting and because there is no “Thus sayest the Lord” on this one, you will have to decide for yourself or decide that it is a question that simply does not have an answer for us on this side of eternity..

The first answer would be YES, there are animals in Heaven.  You are correct, there are horses pictured in Heaven (Revelation 6, Revelation 19), but also other animals in other passages are referenced (Isaiah 11:6, Ezekiel 1) and they don’t seem to be figurative or part of some kind of poetry.  In addition, you are right, Heaven is a redeemed perfect picture of Earth and there are certainly animals here… and in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2-3).  It makes logical sense that if Heaven is a new Eden and all things are made new that animals would be a part of this Heaven.  In fact, many people who answer this question “yes” also believe that specific animals are in Heaven such as pets we have come to know and love.

The second answer would be YES, BUT.  This answer says “yes” there are animals in Heaven, “but” not specific animals.  There will be animals in Heaven, but animals created to be in Heaven for our enjoyment.  

The third answer would be NO, there are not animals in Heaven.  This “no” answer comes from an understanding of Genesis 1:26 which clearly puts human beings alone as created in God’s image (not animals).  People have eternal souls, animals do not.  Animals certainly have a spirit which animates them, but not a soul.  John talked about the differences between soul and spirit in his first sermon this month (8/4).  Based on this fact about the nature of human beings and animals, when animals die, they are gone and cease to exist all together because they do not have an eternal soul which continues as people do.

This is one of those questions where the Bible does not have a definitive answer for us.  I personally am inclined to go with answer #3 (if I must choose) because animals are not created in the image of God.  However, #2 is also quite logical because animals are indeed part of Creation and do bring so much joy!  There are good solid respectable Christian folks who answer this question differently.  I do think that Heaven will be absolutely perfect and if God so chooses to have animals there that His will is done!

Also, does The Bible say anything about what you can talk about? Both John Meisenbach and I like baseball. If we saw Mickey Mantle, would it be okay to ask him about the 1956 World Series? 

As far as I am aware, the Bible does not have any restrictions about what saints in Heaven talk about.  This is not mentioned or even hinted about.  I would assume based on the nature of Heaven’s perfection and our perfection by God on what we do read in Scripture that there is no gossip or dirty jokes and things of that nature, but other than that, no restrictions.  The key to your particular question is if Mickey Mantle was a believer in Jesus Christ.  If he was not, then you would have to settle for another baseball great who was also a Christian.  And besides, everyone knows football is the game in Heaven.