We know of no Bible verse saying that animals will live beyond their life span here on earth. Ecclesiastes 3:19 and 20 says that animals and man each have the same animating life force within them, which at death is gone, and they then go back to dust. People who have believed God’s Word will be raised up to everlasting life, but He does not say the same for their pets.
In that vein, how wonderful it is that God had the idea of domestic animals, and how thankful we are for the joy that a pet brings. Even though when we get a puppy or a kitten we unconsciously know that we will one day weep about its death, we know that the love we will share with them is worth it.
The Bible does say that during the Millennial Kingdom, all animals will be vegetarians, which is why Isaiah 11:6 and 7 says: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox.” For that 1000-year period, all animals on earth will be tame, so you can have the cuddly pet rhino you’ve always wanted. For more on this subject see our article: “The Dead Are Dead,” we teach about man and animal’s life force and their deaths.
Comments
Just because scripture is silent on this doesn’t mean that we won’t see our beloved pets again. Resurrected overcomers will be given power and authority beyond what most people, including most believers, think possible. “Above and beyond all that we could ask and think” could certainly include our beloved pets. I know I will most definitely make that request to Yehovah if given the opportunity to do so, and because I know Him, I know how much He loves us, and so I have a quiet but certain confidence regarding this. I hope all who read this and have pets will remain confident in His wanting to bless us, and restoring loved ones, including pets, is well within the scope of His blessings.
I have a problem with this one as an animal lover. Its true that it doesnt say anything about resurrected pets in scripture. However the Word doesnt reveal everything and we look in a glass darkly and we know that God keeps secrets. And it also says that eye has not seen nor ear heard what he has prepared. Just because it doesnt say God is going to do something, that doesnt mean he wont or cannot, he certainly could. I dont want a pet rhino, I want the friends who probably have loved me more than any person ever did in this life with me and I will be very angry if they are not.