Genesis 1:24-25 “Do Animals go to Heaven?”

INTRODUCTION:

Genesis 1 gives us a historical account of the events of creation.

Genesis 1 gives us the order of creation.

• First Day: Creation of the physical material of the Universes,
• First Day: Creation of Light and its separation from darkness
• Second Day: Creation of the earth’s atmosphere (1^st Heaven)
• Third Day: Separation of earth’s waters and dry land. Take note that the waters and the dry land were originally in “one place.”
• Third Day: Creation of vegetation
• Fourth Day: Formation of planets, moons, and stars
• Fifth Day: Creation of sea animals
• Sixth Day: Creation of land animals and humans

Genesis 1 gives us some indications of the purposes of creation:

• Physical materials for the formation of planets, moons, and stars.
• Physical materials provide nutrition for vegetation, animals, and humans.
• Vegetation provides nutrition for animals and humans.
• Animals provide labor, nutrition, and other support for humans.

EXPOSITION:

First, only humans are said to be made “in the image of God…”

Genesis 1:26-27 (26) “Then God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness. And let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the heavens and over the livestock and over all the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps on the earth.”

(27) So, God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.”

Among other things, the “Imago Dei” means that humans are triune beings possessing body, soul, and spirit.

The “body” is the physical machine encasing the person or animal.

The “soul” is the immaterial part of the creature consisting of mind, senses, instinct, emotions, and will.

The “spirit” is part of humans whereby we can relate to GOD and the part where GOD abides in HIS people through the Holy Spirit and is the source of our personhood.

Minerals do not possess life, or soul, or spirit.

Vegetation possesses life and a body but does not possess a soul or spirit.

Animals possess life, a body, and a soul, but they do not possess a spirit.

Therefore, animals are not moral creatures, they cannot sin, or repent, or believe. Since they do not possess a spirit, they cannot possess eternal life.

There is no indication anywhere in Scripture that an animal has a spirit, or sins, or is indwelt by GOD.

Other than apocryphal (prophetic) language, there are no verses in the Scriptures that indicate the presence of an earthly animal in Heaven. 

Revelation 19:11-14 (11) “Then I saw heaven opened, and behold, a white horse! The one sitting on it is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and makes war. (12) His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name written that no one knows but himself. (13) He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and the name by which he is called is The Word of God. (14) And the armies of heaven, arrayed in fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses.”

Domestication of animals for service began in the Garden of Eden (4,000 BC) where we see that Able was a shepherd.

Domestication of animals for companionship apparently began around the time of Abraham (2,000 BC) as evidence of dogs serving as pets have been discovered in the Middle East. 

In addition to physical labor, animals meet several needs in the lives of some humans:

• Companionship
• Protection
• Other forms of service

Animals are a gift of GOD to humans, and we should enjoy them!

We should use animals for food, labor, and for meeting our needs.

Humans should never abuse what GOD has created including minerals, vegetation, animals, and humans!