Animals in Heaven?

Jesus Will Return Riding a White Horse

In the Bible, Jesus is described as returning on a white horse in Revelation 19:11-21. This passage depicts Jesus leading angels and saints in a dramatic battle between good and evil, symbolizing His role as the righteous judge and warrior against wickedness. The one sitting on the horse is called "Faithful and True," and He judges and makes war in righteousness. This imagery signifies the ultimate victory of good over evil in Christian eschatology, which is the study of end times events. 

If Jesus and His righteous, angelic army are turning on horses, how can one argue there aren't animals in Heaven?

Revelation 19:11

“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.”

This vision of the end times introduces a description of Heaven, which includes a white horse, a symbol of victory and righteousness. This imagery includes animals in the heavenly vision, suggesting their presence and significance in the divine realm.

The use of a horse, an animal known for its strength and nobility, in this vision reflects the importance of creatures within God’s plan. If animals are part of the heavenly vision, it implies that they have a place in the afterlife, aligning with the broader understanding of their role in God’s eternal kingdom.

Scriptures Describing Animals in Heaven

The following scriptures clearly state not only will there be animals in Heaven, but they will live together in the peace and harmony our Heavenly Father has prepared for all those who love Him (I believe animals instinctively know who He is). In Psalm 37:4 we are told "Delight yourself in the Lord, and He will give you the desires of your heart." I don't know about you, but the greatest desires of my heart belong to my beautiful horse Bella (shown below), who I know God gave to me, when it should not have been possible; and all the dogs who have occupied my heart during my lifetime. If God has promised to give me the desires of my heart, this would unequivocally include all the animals who have been a part of my life or, it wouldn't be Heaven, after all.

Isaiah 11:6 

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them."

Isaiah 65:25 

"The wolf and the lamb shall graze together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, and dust shall be the serpent's food. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain,” says the Lord.

Isaiah 11:6-9 

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den. They shall not hurt or destroy in all my holy mountain; for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea."

Isaiah 11:7 

"The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox."

Isaiah 11:6-8 

"The wolf shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, and the calf and the lion and the fattened calf together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the cobra, and the weaned child shall put his hand on the adder's den."

God's Promises and Covenant Includes Animals

In Genesis 6:19, God commands Noah to save two of every kind of animal on the ark to ensure their survival during the flood. This verse highlights the importance of animals in God’s creation and His intention to preserve them. The act of saving them from destruction indicates that they hold a significant place in God’s plan. While this verse doesn’t explicitly mention heaven, it reflects God’s care and intention to maintain the balance of life, which aligns with the belief that animals are part of His broader creation plan. The preservation of these creatures suggests that they are valued and have a purpose beyond mere existence, potentially extending to their place in the afterlife.

Proverbs 12:10

“Whoever is righteous has regard for the life of his beast, but the mercy of the wicked is cruel.” This scripture verse underscores the righteousness of caring for animals, contrasting it with the cruelty of the wicked. This verse suggests that a righteous person values and respects animal life, implying that such compassion aligns with divine principles. If God values the lives of animals and expects us to show mercy toward them, it is reasonable to infer that He would extend His care to them in the afterlife. This verse reflects the broader biblical principle of stewardship and kindness towards all living creatures, which can be interpreted as a reflection of God’s broader plan, including the possibility of animals being part of His eternal kingdom.

Ecclesiastes 3:19

“For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity.” In this verse, we see a depiction of the shared fate of humans and animals in terms of death. This verse highlights the commonality of mortality between humans and animals, implying that both experience similar life conditions. The equality in breath and existence points to a shared divine essence. If animals and humans share a fundamental aspect of life, it raises the possibility that they also share a similar fate beyond death. The emphasis on the shared nature of breath and life can suggest that animals, like humans, might also have a place in the divine plan, potentially extending to the afterlife.

Genesis 9:9-10

“Now behold, I Myself do establish My covenant with you, and with your descendants after you; and with every living creature that is with you, the birds, the cattle, and every beast of the earth with you; of all that comes out of the ark, even every beast of the earth." The Bible emphasizes God's covenant with all creatures, not just humans. This covenant is established in Genesis 9:9-10, where God promises to Noah and his descendants, as well as every living creature, to provide rest and safety. The covenant signifies God's ongoing commitment to all life on earth, reflecting His care for all creation. It is a testament to God's character and His desire for His creation to flourish, including animals.

Hosea 2:18 

"And I will make for them a covenant on that day with the beasts of the field, the birds of the heavens, and the creeping things of the ground. And I will abolish the bow, the sword, and war from the land, and I will make you lie down in safety."

Job 12:7-10

“But ask the beasts, and they will teach you; the birds of the heavens, and they will tell you; or the bushes of the earth, and they will teach you; and the fish of the sea will declare to you. Who among all these does not know that the hand of the Lord has done this? In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.” This scripture verse reflects on the wisdom found in observing animals and nature. It underscores that the life of every living thing is in God’s hands, including the breath of all creatures. This acknowledgement of God’s sovereignty over all life suggests that animals are an integral part of His creation. Recognizing that God holds the life and breath of all creatures implies that animals are valued and cared for by God. If He is responsible for their existence, it follows that He would also be concerned with their well-being beyond this life, potentially including their presence in the afterlife.

Job 38:41

“Who provides for the raven its prey, when its young ones cry to God for help, and wander about for lack of food?” This verse reflects on God’s provision for ravens and their young, highlighting that even in their need, God ensures they are fed. This verse shows that God is intimately involved in providing for all creatures, even those that are often overlooked. The depiction of ravens crying out for help and God responding indicates a divine care that goes beyond mere survival. If God is concerned with feeding and caring for ravens, it is reasonable to believe that this care extends to their place in the afterlife.

Revelation 5:13

“And I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and in the sea, and all that is in them, saying, ‘To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb be blessing and honor and glory and might forever and ever!" This verse depicts a vision of all creatures praising God in heaven. This includes creatures from every realm: heaven, earth, under the earth, and the sea. The inclusion of animals in this celestial worship scene implies their presence in the heavenly realm. The universal praise by all creatures reflects a vision of harmony and unity in the divine presence. If animals are part of this heavenly worship, it suggests that they have a place in the afterlife, affirming the belief that they share in the eternal glory of God’s kingdom.

The Talking Donkey

In Numbers 22:28, we see an instance where God uses Balaam's donkey to not only speak audibly to Balaam, but also tells us his donkey visibly sees the Lord blocking their path. We often assume that God only speaks through the humans. However, the story of Balaam's talking donkey teaches us that God can use anyone or anything, to share His message and, that animals do, indeed, recognize angelic beings - I believe this ability easily translates to knowing their creator and our Savior, Jesus. 

“So Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. But God was very angry when he went; and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field; and Balaam beat her to get her back on the road. Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path through the vineyards, with walls on both sides. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam’s foot against it; so he beat her again. Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. Then the LORD opened the donkey’s mouth, and she said to Balaam, ‘What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times? Balaam answered the donkey, ‘You have made a fool of me! If only I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now! The donkey said to Balaam, ‘Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?’ ‘No,’ he said. Then the LORD opened Balaam’s eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn; so he bowed low and fell facedown. The angel of the LORD asked him, ‘Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her.” – Numbers 22:33