Dear 1 Cor 10:31
The subject of our pets
going to heaven in the Rapture is a very near and dear
subject to me. I hope to see a few of my old furry
friends again soon. I think that there are a few
Biblical types and patterns that can give us hope.
First, we see Jesus (the Lamb of God) pictured as a
resurrected lamb (see Revelation 5:6) and we are also told
that the end times are comparable to the days of Noah,
which included an Ark full of animals that were rescued
from the Flood. So, Jesus Himself could set the
precedent for the resurrection of animals and Noah’s Ark
could set a precedent for a group of animals being saved
from worldwide judgment. I also like the passage in
1 Corinthians 15:35-44, which talks about different types
of resurrection bodies, and includes animal bodies in the
discussion. Why is it part of the discussion unless
it will be a reality? According to Romans 8:18-25,
all creation has the expectation of a glorified body –
including the earth! So why not animals?
“But
some
man will say, How are the dead raised up? and with
what body do they come?
Thou fool, that which thou sowest is not quickened,
except it die: And that which thou sowest, thou sowest not
that body that shall be, but bare grain, it may chance of
wheat, or of some other
grain: But God giveth it a body as it hath pleased
him, and to every seed his own body. All flesh
is not the same flesh: but there is one kind
of flesh of men, another flesh of beasts, another of
fishes,
and another arof birds. There are
also celestial bodies, and bodies terrestrial: but the
glory of the celestial
is one, and the glory of the terrestrial is
another. There is one glory of the sun, and
another glory of the moon, and another glory of the stars:
for
one star differeth from another star in
glory. So also is the resurrection of the
dead. It is sown in corruption; it is raised in
incorruption: It is sown in dishonour; it is raised in
glory: it is sown in weakness; it is raised in power: It
is sown a natural body; it is raised a spiritual body.
There is a natural body, and there is a spiritual body.” 1 Corinthians 15:35-44
“For I reckon that the sufferings
of this present time
are not worthy to be compared with the
glory which shall be revealed in us. For the
earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the
manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature
was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason
of him who hath subjected the same in hope, Because
the creature itself also shall be delivered from the
bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of
the children of God. For we know that the whole
creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until
now. And not only they, but ourselves
also, which have the firstfruits of the Spirit, even we
ourselves groan within ourselves,
waiting for the adoption, to wit, the redemption
of our body. For we are saved by hope: but
hope that is seen is not hope: for what a man seeth, why
doth he yet hope for? But if we hope for that we
see not,
then do we with patience wait for it.”
Romans 8:18-25. (I believe that this verse
states that we will be the first to receive resurrected
bodies – before the rest of creation – consequently all
creation is impatiently waiting for that to happen – along
with us.)
I wish you
well with your T.J. It’s hard to see a pet (i.e. a
family member) suffering.
God knows what
our pets mean to us and what we mean to them. I believe
that the bond of love established on earth will continue
in heaven. God bless you.
Maranatha,
– Lisa Taylor
“And every creature which is
in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such
as are in the sea, and all that are in them, heard I
saying, Blessing, and honour, and glory, and power, be
unto him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the Lamb
for ever and ever.”
Revelation 5:13