Will we see our pets again? Scripture Verses Relating To Pet Loss

Will we see our pets again? Do animals have a soul? A spirit? Will my pet go to Heaven?

We here at Rainbows Bridge have been asked these questions often. Our answer is yes to all the above. If we truly did not believe this, Rainbow Bridge would not have been created.

Do you have a passage of scripture you would like added?

If so,

The King James Authorized Version, revised and edited by W. C. Sanderson, indicates in a footnote that "soul" or "living being" are alternative translations for "life".

The soul perceives, thinks, feels, and makes decisions and choices. In man, the soul can also cause sin. God gave man the choice to choose sin or righteousness, to worship himself or God.

The lesser animals were not given this choice. God put them under the protection and dominion of man.

Do Animals Have a Spirit?

The word "spirit" (ruach in Hebrew) means "wind, breath -- the living power of God's will at work." The spirit is the essence and will of God given to all humans and animals.

Below are some excerpts from Bible Scripture.

Ecclesiastes 3:19-20
For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same spirit, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return.

Ecclesiastes 12:7
And the dust returns to the earth as it was, and the spirit returns to God who gave it.

Isaiah 65:25
The wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion shall eat straw like the bullock: and dust shall be the serpent's meat. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the LORD.

Job 12:10
In his hand is the life of every living thing and the breath of all mankind.

Psalm 36:6 (NIV)
Your righteousness is like the highest mountains,
your justice like the great deep.
You, Lord, preserve both people and animals.

Genesis 9:13-17
I have set My rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between Me and the earth. Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will remember my covenant between Me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life.
Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth."
So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between Me and all life on the earth."

Revelation 5:13
"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, hear I saying, "Blessing, and honor, and glory, and power, be unto Him that sitteth upon the throne, and unto the lamb forever and ever."

Isaiah 11:6-9
The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, and the leopard shall lie down with the kid; and the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them.

1 Corinthians 15:39 (KJV) “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 of birds.” Luke 3:6 (KJV) “And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”

Matthew 10:29
"Are not two sparrows sold for a cent? And yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father."

Genesis : 9, 13-17
The same fate awaits man and animals alike.

Ecclesiastes 3:18-21 TEV
"I decided that God is testing us, to show us that we are no better than animals. After all, the same fate awaits man and animals alike. One dies just like the other. They are the same kind of creature. A human being is no better off than an animal, because life has no meaning for either. They are both going to the same place -- the dust. They both came from it; they will both go back to it. How can anyone be sure that a man's spirit goes upward while an animal's spirit goes down into the ground?"

Luke 12:6
Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? And not one of them is forgotten before God.

The Soul

(Job 12:9-10 KJV)
"Who knoweth not in all these that the hand of the Lord hath wrought this? In whose hand is the soul of every living thing, and the breath of all mankind."

Animals are Innocent

Romans 8:21-22 KJV
"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."

Noah and the Ark

God decided to destroy the world with a flood. However, He found one man named Noah who, along with his family, was righteous before Him. God decided to save Noah and his family and at least one pair of each kind of animal.

There are seven accounts of God's covenant with both man and animals concerning our survival on planet Earth as long as the earth remains. It says, in part, in the original DOUAY-RHEIMS version:

Genesis 9:8-16
"...Thus also said God to Noe Noah), and to his sons with him, behold, I establish my covenant with you and with your seed after you; And with every living soul that is with you, as well in all birds as in cattle and beasts of the earth, that are come forth out of the ark, I will establish my covenant with you, and all flesh shall be no more destroyed with the waters of a flood.

And Goid said: This is the sign of the covenant which I give between me and you, and to every living soul that is with you, for perpetual generations. And I will remember my covenant with you, and with every living soul that beareth flesh: and there shall no more be waters of a flood to destroy all flesh. And the bow shall be in the clouds, and I shall see it, and shall remember the everlasting covenant that was made between God and every living soul of all flesh which is upon the earth."

Animals in Heaven

Ecclesiastes 3:19-21
For what happens to the children of man and what happens to the beasts is the same; as one dies, so dies the other. They all have the same breath, and man has no advantage over the beasts, for all is vanity. All go to one place. All are from the dust, and to dust all return. Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes down into the earth?

Revelations 19:11
Then I saw Heaven opened, and behold, a white horse.

Proverbs 12:10
"A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal." 

Psalms 50:10-11
"Every animal of the forest is mine, and the cattle on a thousand hills. I know every bird in the mountains, and the creatures of the field are mine."

Job 12:7-10
"Ask the animals, and they will teach you."

Psalms 36:6
Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord.

Revelation 5:8-13 NKJV (Commentary)
"All creatures recognize Jesus as the Savior of the world and praise God right along with redeemed men.

Psalm 145:-9-10,13,15-21 AMP
Though all creatures are subject to man's cruelty, God loves all His creation and has made plans for all His children and the lesser creatures to enjoy His eternal Kingdom.

Romans 8:19 (KJV)
The lesser creatures await Christ's return to redeem the sons of God so they, too, will be released from physical death to eternal life.

Revelation 5:13 KJV
And every creature which is in heaven, and on 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.

Romans 8:21-22 KJV
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.

Hosea 2:18-20 NKJV
18 In that day I will make a covenant for them With the beasts of the field, With the birds of the air, And with the creeping things of the ground. Bow and sword of battle I will shatter from the earth, To make them lie down safely. 19 “I will betroth you to Me forever; Yes, I will betroth you to Me In righteousness and justice, In lovingkindness and mercy; 20 I will betroth you to Me in faithfulness, And you shall know the Lord.

Exodus 34:19-20 NKJV
19 “All that open the womb are Mine, and every male firstborn among your livestock, whether ox or sheep. 20 But the firstborn of a donkey you shall redeem with a lamb. And if you will not redeem him, then you shall break his neck. All the firstborn of your sons you shall redeem. “And none shall appear before Me empty-handed.

Isaiah 40:5 (King James Version)
“And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, And all flesh shall see it together: For the mouth of the Lord hath spoken it.”

Quotes from church leaders:
“One day, we will see our animals again in the eternity of Christ. Paradise is open to all of God’s creatures.” – Pope Paul VI

“Eternal life will be a shared experience of awe, in which each creature, resplendently transfigured, will take its rightful place.” – Pope Francis

“God will have prepared everything for our perfect happiness. If it takes my dog being there (in Heaven), he'll be there.” – Billy Graham

“Well, I think there are pets in Heaven”. “I think it’s true that if you love a pet, then yeah, you’ll see them again in the Heavenly arena”. “My love for them in return I believe is their gateway into the same place I’m going for an eternity”. – Pastor Mac Hammond

What does the Bible say about Animal Abuse?

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