Will There Be Dogs in Heaven?

I just learned that my little velty has a tumor in his bladder and I think I know what that means. He’s been my constant companion for 10 years and helped me through some really rough times including when my husband passed away 4 years ago. He’s very bright and he follows me everywhere. Sometimes I look at him and I wonder if I could be as devoted to God as my doggy is to me, I would be a better person. Some of my friends say we won’t see our pets in heaven and some say we will. All I know is there’s a phrase about the lion will lay down with the lamb, but I’m wondering what your thoughts are on this. It kind of gives me comfort to think that I’ll see my Riley again in heaven, but I’m not sure that’s right. 

Excerpt From The Answer

If you study the first two chapters of Genesis when He makes the animal kingdom, He makes them out of Adam. There are two Hebrew words, eres is the word for the Earth, but Adam is dirt or ground. This is transliterated to ADM. So the wordplay when He makes Adam in His image. The difference is He breathed life in him, being the image of God. Animals were created in the same physical fashion, which is not an improper sanctified imagination. Jesus was on His hands and knees making a dirt animal. Maybe He’s sitting on a rock doing it without touching the dirt. But when it says He formed them, those words are used in the context of molding clay with your hands. In the New Testament we have the imagery of the Potter and the clay. 

It’s important to see that without over-spiritualizing it. That said, animals are not made in the image of God. So when the flood occurs, you have an animal kingdom that survived on the ark for a reason. Yet man was still to have dominion over the earth. All that to say, it’s not likely that the hamsters, gerbil, cats, dogs, and horses will be in heaven. Despite being endearing creatures that are friendly and smart, they likely won’t be in heaven. When you cross the threshold from this earth into eternality, you’re not going to be worried about your pet.

To hear Dr. E’s full answer, listen to the podcast or watch on Youtube!

Find more episodes of Ask Dr. E here.

Call or text us your question at 615-281-9694 or email at question@michaelincontext.com.