Posted on 08/04/2023 9:28:56 PM PDT by Jonty30
My cat died today. She was 20. She was a beautiful golden brown tabby. She was very good cat to get along with. She loved her family. Yes, I'm saddened, but she lived a pretty good life.
God honoured me by allowing her to pass on before I brought her to the vet for euthanization. The vet told me that the lack of corneal activity probably indicated that she only operating autonomously, with her heart and lungs and bodily functions. But that was all that was left of her.
So, while we will probably have pets in heaven and eternity because that is our nature, to want to have pets. Will God allow the pets we loved to join us in eternity or will we have to satisfy ourselves with new pets only?
One thing to consider:
Humans are unique among Creation in that we have eternal souls. Our souls give us the ability to make choices according to reason. Animals make choices based upon instinct. Animals do not have eternal souls, so how can they exist in heaven?
We need to stop pretending that heaven is a place where we can spend eternity being waited on hand and foot. Like some eternal retirement party or trip to the spa.
Heaven is God’s Kingdom, and we have to serve in that Kingdom. Jesus said he would prepare a place for us, but he also said it wouldn’t be at his right hand or his left hand. In fact, our place may be in the lowest of low places.
That is for God to determine; not us.
Sorry for the loss of your friend.
Heaven means you’ll be happy, fulfilled, and understand, it doesn’t matter what the details are, you will understand it and be happy and fulfilled, so pet or no pet, we don’t need to ask such questions about ice cream, or fido, or grandma, whatever we find there we will know it is perfect and right, we will be on a different plane and earthly wants, desires and needs will not linger in us causing longing, or a feeling of loss or of absence.
Having said that, I truly believe that your cat is part of the redeemed creation. I base this on Romans 8:21 which states, "Because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." So, your cat will be part of the redemption of the world.
The serious question is, will you? Your cat is waiting. So, I'm asking this to you specifically, of course, but also to anyone who reads this. Put your faith in our Savior, Jesus Christ, who has paid the penalty for our sin. It is a free gift to all who repent and believe. Then, you will be joining your cat.
I hope so. No way to know except that people having their pets in heaven will make the humans happy.
Those are spiritual “dogs.”
I believe that they do. In fact, I believe that our dogs and cats (and maybe more than they) show us with each new day that they are going to Heaven.
Anything that possesses the capacity to love, has a soul.
And our pets love us unconditionally.
I cannot believe that God would create anything so, without them having an eternal destiny.
Although some try to loosely apply passages of Scripture to this we are not, in fact, explicitly told in Divine Revelation one way or another about this matter, which means we are free to speculate without being dogmatic. Personally, I believe we will see our pets again. Here is a good take on it from Jimmy Akin:
Jimmy Akins Mysterious World - All Dogs Go to Heaven? (Ghost Dogs! Animal Afterlife?)
Psalm 36:6
“Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.”
Yes
Yes, they are waiting for us.
My problem wasn't with my cats. I, really was just venting.
My problem was with the multitude of motel chains across the country that advertise as "pet friendly" until you show up with cats and then they're like, "We're pet friendly but not cats. Only dogs."
It was a PCS military move so I had no choice but to bring the cats with me. The movers weren't going to take them. I tried abandoning them in Jacksonville during my last PCS move but the people who bought my house complained so I had to go back down to Jax get them and bring them back to Norfolk.
This time it was a Norfolk to San Diego move.
I wanted to abandom them again but I didn't want to traumatize the kids, who are now older and remember things better.
"Why do you do OnlyFans?"
"Because daddy abandoned my pets."
Yeah, I don't need that.
Losing pets is difficult for people who have the emotional depth to care and love. As to the original question, since Plato noted that time is the moving image of eternity, which includes all things, events, information, and spirit, then I’d say ‘yes’.
I do not believe we will have pets in Heaven chiefly because I believe our desires there will be more elevated, more in tuned to worshiping the LORD, just as our relationship with our spouses in Heaven will not be as they are here on earth. I tend to believe there will be animals there, such as horses and lambs, but I’m not positive of that; I only think that because such animals are mentioned in the Book of Revelation. I actually fear for the souls of people who say that if their pet won’t be there, they don’t want to be there, either.
I wish it was so but, no. They don’t have a spirit
I thought I was the only one that hoped this to be true
I’m sorry for your loss
Yup
But they could be resurrected, if it were God’s will to do so.
Of course I wonder if you get all your pet dogs back, will they all get along with each other?
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.