TRANSCRIPT:
Do pets go to heaven?
Many people believe they do.
But is that true?
Welcome to the American Faith and Freedom Podcast.
I'm Jim McCraigh.
Many people who have lost a beloved pet wonder if their pets will go to heaven.
Will they be eternally reunited with their beloved pets one day?
As always, though, when we ask questions like this, the first place we must look for answers is in the Bible.
As human beings, we are a soul with a body, not a body with a soul.
Because we are uniquely created in the image of God, only humans have a soul.
Our soul is the inner part of us that can be indwelt by the Holy Spirit.
It is a part of us that is more than just flesh and blood.
The difference between human beings and animals is that humans are made in the image and likeness of God and animals are not.
When God said that he would make man in his image, he did something that he did not do with animals.
A human soul can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ, and that soul will go to heaven where God gives it a new perfect body to replace the imperfect earthly one.
Our eternal soul returns to God in heaven, not our body.
Since animals don't have a soul, they don't go to heaven in the same way that we do.
The book of Isaiah tells us there will be animals during the millennial kingdom.
The millennial kingdom is the name given to the thousand-year reign of Jesus Christ here on earth after the tribulation mentioned in the book of Revelation.
It is not possible to say if some of these animals might be the same pets we had before.
We know that God is just and when we get to heaven we will find ourselves in complete agreement with his decision, whatever that might be.
The millennial kingdom is not the same as eternity in heaven, but that's a post for another day.
There is only one way for us to enter heaven, and that is through Jesus Christ.
Jesus said, I am the way, the truth, and the life, and no one comes to the Father except through me.
Our pets cannot make such a decision, so God would have to make some other provision for them if he allows them to enter the kingdom of heaven.
However, we know that we will not feel sorrow, grief, or longing for what we had here on this earth.
Isaiah went on to write, for behold, I create new heavens and a new earth, and the former things will not be remembered or come to mind.
So, there is no biblical support that we can say with certainty whether or not our pets will be in heaven.
I hope they will be, but the only way to find out for sure is to get there yourself.
It is pointless to ask if your pet goes to heaven if you're not there yourself.
Decide today to repent of your sins and trust that Jesus Christ is your Lord and Savior.
It is the only way to say with certainty whether you will go to heaven or not!
Until next time, I'm Jim McCraigh.
(3 min) PODCAST: Do Pets Go to Heaven?