10 Aug I Can Only Imagine

Some of our dear friends had to put their dog down this week. She was old, and more than ready to go. They had loved her dearly for 15+ years, and she had loved them. If you’re not a dog or cat owner, or pet-of-any-kind owner, please don’t stop reading… there’s more to this.

The question that’s usually on every pet owner’s mind when that day comes is, Will my beloved ________ (fill in the blank) be in heaven when I arrive? And while I cannot give you any specific Bible verse that says that your pets will be in heaven, I can tell you that, yes, I do believe they will—and with good reason.

My Theology on Pets in Heaven

I do have a theology about pets or animals in heaven. Because why would they not? Why would God not have Heaven filled with pets—our pets? And no, I do not think that only dogs go to heaven because dog spelled backward is God. I think that dogs, cats, and other pets and animals will be in heaven because God created some very loving creatures to be of great joy, delight, and comfort to us on this earth.

Let me back this up with some Scripture:

If Elijah was taken up to heaven by a chariot of fire and horses (2 Kings 2:11)… And if God opened the eyes of Elisha and his companion to see the army of Heaven, horses and chariots of fire surrounding them (2 Kings 6:17)… And if when God creates the new Heaven and new Earth, the wolf and the lamb, and the leopard and the goat, and the lion and the calf, yearling, and serpents are there (Isaiah 11:6; Isaiah 65:17, 25) … And if in the end of days, Jesus—who is the Rider called Faithful and True—who sits upon a white horse and comes to judge the world in righteousness (Revelation 19:11) … then we do know that there are horses, lions, leopards, lambs, goats, wolves, yearlings, and even serpents in Heaven.

So, I ask you—why would Heaven be missing the other creatures that we so love? If God’s whole creation has been subject to futility and frustration because of the effects of sin, and if all of nature groans and moans with longing for the return of the Lord to be delivered from that bondage (Romans 8:18-22)—then why would animals (who most definitely groan) not also one day share in that spectacularly glorious redemption of God?

Animals Are Not More Valuable Than People

God’s priority creation is mankind—the men and women He created out of His own love, so that He could love them—love us! Animals are most definitely not more valuable than people. But God gave animals to mankind—in fact it was Adam who personally named each and every animal God created (Genesis 2).

John and I were with our grieving friend the other night; he was heartbroken, choked with tears all through the evening. Fred did not idolize that sweet dog, Gypsy, but he and his wife, Lu, adored her. Not more than one another. Not more than their kids or grandkids. Gypsy came to them—literally came running down the street with a collar and leash on her—and nobody ever claimed her. Sweetest, craziest little Cockapoo! They rescued her. Or maybe she rescued them. She’d been their companion through many travels around the country, and through some rough waters in life.

And now she’s gone, and the absence is felt. It’s hard stuff. They miss her.

Something to Think About

In her book, Holiness in Hidden Places, Joni Eareckson Tada writes, “If God brings our pets back to life, it wouldn’t surprise me. It would be just like Him. It would be totally in keeping with His generous character… Exorbitant. Excessive. Extravagant in grace after grace. Of all the dazzling discoveries and ecstatic pleasures heaven will hold for us, the potential of seeing Scrappy would be pure whimsy-utterly, joyfully, surprisingly superfluous… Heaven is going to be a place that will refract and reflect in as many ways as possible the goodness and joy of our great God, who delights in lavishing love on His children.”

To that I say a loud and joyful, AMEN!

Friends, we do not think deeply enough about God. About Whom He is. Though He is Holy, Almighty, and Powerful, He is every bit a loving Abba Father. Though He is a Righteous Judge who will punish sin, and who feels indignation every day, He is much kinder than we can imagine. Please, make it your aim to spend time with God—to read His Word, and to ponder Him deeply. He is more than you realize! 

One More Thing:

In my attempt to comfort my friends with some truth I did a little research and found some things I think you will be blessed by:

• This message with Randy Alcorn–author of the most excellent book, Heaven—is so good!
• Randy mentions his blog post, Saying Goodbye to Moses, about putting his beloved Dalmatian down. It’s so beautiful…you must read it!
• And another article he mentioned is a chapter excerpted from Heaven, Will There be Animals in Heaven? I’m grateful the Lord led me to find these. They are wonderful and truth filled.

There will be no greater joy we’ve ever known than to one day see our Jesus face-to-face. Nothing we’ve ever known, or loved, or experienced will compare with that awesome moment when we—breathless—finally behold our beautiful Savior and King!

And wouldn’t it be just like the Lord, once we’re there, to surprise us with the something that has given us such joy and comfort on this earth. What if he says, “Someone’s been waiting for you…”

I believe my friends will see their Gypsy again when one day she welcomes them Home—forever. Until then, we can know and believe that Heaven is real… and God has more planned for us than we can imagine!

For I consider that the sufferings of this present time are not worth comparing with the glory that is to be revealed to us— Romans 8:18

Until next week— don’t forget that you are greatly and dearly loved by The King! And let’s live our beautiful, ordinary lives like women who believe it!

I love you!
xo–P❤️