Will There Be Animals In Heaven?

An individual once asked, “Does the Bible say anything about animals being in Heaven? If so, where should I look?”

There is no biblical evidence of animals being in heaven. In Ecclesiastes 3:19-21 KJV, the context tells us that in our earthly existence, both mankind and animals have the same destiny – physical death! However, when man’s eternal “spirit” (or “soul“) departs his body, his lifeless body returns to dust, but his eternal “spirit shall return unto God who gave it” (Ecclesiastes 12:7 KJV). Man’s spirit goes "upward" (Ecclesiastes 3:21 KJV).

Animals have “spirit” i.e., life or "breath" (Strong's 7307 - Ecclesiastes 3:19 KJV), but not an eternal “spirit” (Strong's 4151) – 1 Corinthians 2:11; James 2:26 or “soul” (Strong's 5590) – Acts 2:27; Matthew 10:28). The “spirit” or “life” of the animal goes "downward to the earth" (Ecclesiastes 3:21); it dies with the body.

One last point: Animals are not made in God's image (see here) nor are they covered by the blood of Christ, simply because they are not mentally aware of what sin is (1 John 3:4 KJV) nor are they mentally capable of making the good confession found in Acts 8:36-37 relative to baptism (Acts 2:37-38).

They are basically brute beasts driven by instinct without the ability to logically reason and thus render obedience to the saving gospel message (Romans 6:16-18). Any unbelieving entity not covered by the blood of Christ is considered "defiled" (Titus 1:15). Nothing that is "defiled" will be found in the heavenly city (Revelation 21:27).

Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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