ALL DOGS GO TO HEAVEN
By: C. Mason Davis
A German Shepherd, Doberman and an Irish Setter have died. All three are faced with God, who wants to know what they believe in. The German shepherd says, “I believe in discipline training and loyalty to my master.” “Good,” says God. “Then sit down on my right side. Doberman, what do you believe in?” The Doberman answers, “I believe in the love, care and protection of my master.” “Ah, yes,” said Go and “You may sit to my left.” Then he looks at the Irish Setter and asks, “And what do you believe in?” The Irish Setter ponders its answers for a few extra seconds, then answers, “I believe you’re sitting in my seat.”
TODAY’S SCRIPTURE
Revelation, 19:11-14, “I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and wages war. His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but He himself. He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.”
Are you ready for some good news? Dogs go to heaven. It’s in the Bible. Psalm 36:6. Yes, dogs go to heaven. Are there any dog lovers here? We should have known this because Jesus is said to be coming back on a white horse. There are animals there. The lion will lay down with the lamb. Yep, there are animals there. Cats go to hell, but I can’t help that, I didn’t write the Bible. No, I’m just kidding. I know all animals go to heaven, even cats. They all go to heaven. I really do believe that. There is proof in the Bible which I’ll reveal. I also think that every chicken that I ever ate is going to be there waiting for me, too. The thought of that kind of makes me nervous. I’m sure I’m going to be having some nightmares now about the “Revenge of the chickens” that’s to come on the other side of the Pearly Gates. But I’m telling you that for sure, your dog, cat, horse, even snake will be there in heaven to greet you. If you’re not so sure they’ll remember you or remember how much they love you, it’ll all come back to you in a heartbeat. Our pets mean so much to us that when we do accidentally hurt them it just breaks our hearts. We can be as sorry as possible, but it’s okay. They don’t hold a grudge at all. We’ll scoop them up in our arms, apologize a lot using a baby voice. But if that person accidently steps on the toe of a spouse, they’re like: “Oh, stop whining about it and stay out of the way. You’re grown up, so act like it." But when it comes to the pets, you’re hugging and kissing them for hurting them and they’re most likely licking your foot or hands as you console them. What better as an example can we possibly have they’re going to heaven than how they react to console us when they’re hurt. Now, that’s a Christian. I can prove to you that your dog acts more Christian-like than we do. How many of you here have a wife and a dog? How? When you get home, get your wife and your dog, put them in the trunk of your car, then come back in an hour to let them out and see who’s glad to see you. It sure isn’t going to be the wife, it’ll be the happy, tail-wagging Christian.
“What does the Bible say about animals going to heaven?” The Bible does not directly say anything about animals going to heaven, but there’s proof throughout the Bible. The fact is animals go to heaven. Animals have souls. But Scripture also tells us Jesus did not come to save animals—he came to save man. Why? Because animals do not sin. The first paradise, the first heaven, the Garden of Eden was filled with every kind of animal imaginable, and God declared those animals “good.” Therefore, the second heaven – in the afterlife will be filled with every kind of animal, too. Thus, it does appear from that passage that there are horses in heaven, as well as all animals. God also declares He will save humans and animals alike. Now that is the true definition of universal salvation. In scripture from Isaiah 11:6, “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.” That’s right, there will be animals in the new heaven and the new earth. Just look at the word “animal” itself. The word animal comes from word “anima” which means “soul.” There it is in the very meaning of their name. Animals have souls!
I would like to suggest that heaven is not just a place where we go when we die, but heaven is here right now. Jesus put it this way in Matthew, 3:2, “And saying, Repent ye: for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” There is a reason why God spelled backwards is dog. Dog, the only creature on earth who loves you more than himself. Dogs were created for us to teach us how to love. Dogs show unconditional love and acceptance, faithfulness and playfulness. When I needed a hand, I found a paw. God said, “I will send them without wings, so no one suspects they are angels.” Dogs can be the best representation of God for who He is and what He stands for. Although our best role model is Jesus Christ himself, but next to that, our best role models are our dogs. Why are they such good role models, because they love unconditionally, and they do not sin. I even have a t-shirt that says, “I strive to be the person who my dog thinks I am.” Dogs also have the eyes of angels when the look deep into our souls and melts our hearts. Some say that dogs are God’s way of apologizing for their relatives.
There is a reason why Egyptians worshiped cats, believing cats to be the gateway to the spirit world. There is a reason why the Mesopotamian gods wore horns, ears, and tails of the animals they represented. There is a reason why in the Bible God is referred to as a bull, a lion, a leopard, a bear, a lamb and a dove. “God is rainforests, oceans, elephants, polar bears, gazelles, grizzly bears, lions, tigers, fishes, soil, trees, and plants.” God is the “One Face” that is expressed in all the other faces of creation.
God has a specific purpose for each of his created beings—including both animals and humans. Man, as the highest order of the physical creation, was given dominion over the animal kingdom. In Genesis 1:26–28, And God said, “Let us make man in our image, after our likeness: and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowl of the air, and over the cattle, and over all the earth, and over every creeping thing that creepeth upon the earth.” It would therefore seem that animals were intended for man's affection, enjoyment, and use, but not abuse, while on earth.
Humans and dogs share most of their genes and a great deal of physiology and behavior, but also a shared heritage extending into the spiritual realm. “If we have souls, our animals have souls. If we have free choice, they have it,” Humans can form loving bonds with their pets, and in fact, it is worth noting that when Nathan told a story about a poor man who deeply loved an animal. 2 Samuel 12:3 states, “But the poor man had nothing, save one little ewe lamb, which he had bought and nourished up: and it grew up together with him, and with his children; it did eat of his own meat, and drank of his own cup, and lay in his bosom, and was unto him as a daughter.” So, it is perfectly natural and indeed a mark of a righteous person to love and care for their animals. Proverbs 12:10 states: “A righteous man regardeth the life of his beast: but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” As bearers of the image of God (flawed and distorted as we are), we can still look to see how God cares for His animal creations and see that He gives them food, lodging, and even a spirit of playfulness. In Psalms 104:20-22, “Thou makest darkness, and it is night: wherein all the beasts of the forest do creep forth. The young lions roar after their prey and seek their meat from God. The sun ariseth, they gather themselves together, and lay them down in their dens.” Psalms 104:24-28 says: “O Lord, how manifold are thy works! in wisdom hast thou made them all: the earth is full of thy riches. So is this great and wide sea, wherein are things creeping innumerable, both small and great beasts. There go the ships: there is that leviathan, whom thou hast made to play therein. These wait all upon thee; that thou mayest give them their meat in due season. That thou givest them they gather thou openest thine hand, they are filled with good.” While acknowledging our limited capabilities compared to God’s providence, should we not try to emulate the concern he shows for animals? Matthew 10:29 says: “Are not two sparrows sold for a farthing and one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.” It is not too much of a stretch to see that the dominion mandate given to mankind is not only a practical stewardship of animal life but one which can and does involve compassion and even wonder.
The Bible does teach that animals have souls, “breath of life” or “living creature” from the Hebrew, nephesh C?ayah. Nephesh in Hebrew means “soul.” The soul can live without the body, but the body can’t live without the soul. In Genesis 9:10, “And with every living creature that is with you, of the fowl, of the cattle, and of every beast of the earth with you; from all that go out of the ark, to every beast of the earth.”
Some people say that Animals cannot recognize their sinfulness nor repent and believe on Jesus for their salvation. People sinned, animals didn’t. Because animals didn’t sin, they don’t need a redeemer in the same way as we do. Animals cannot take the steps needed to qualify for “the heavenly calling,” but they don’t need to. These steps include taking in knowledge, exercising faith, and obeying God’s commands. But animals are pre-programmed by God to have all these functions already, as well as an existence without sin. Naysayers claim that there is no salvation from sin for animals and therefore no eternal life in God’s presence. In fact, that statement is contradictory to the fact that the Bible has numerous verses that can be translated to mean that God created animals without sin, thus they are good in His eyes. Another step to qualify for “the heavenly calling” is to have knowledge. The instinct of animals is beyond explanation for when their instincts kick in at such a young age, it can only be by the work of God. Those who say that animals have no mind for “the heavenly calling” are wrong. God said that all animals are good, and they don’t sin, which is definitely “exercising faith.” They also say that animals can’t obey God’s commands. God sent animals to earth with imbedded instincts. The doubters believe that animals cannot think with objectivity, thus they can’t communicate their faith either. If that is true, how is it possible for a poisonous snake to bite with or without venom? They choose to bite without venom, a dry bite, because they make a choice not to kill, but to warn their predator instead. How is it that wild animals can approach humans when they are hurt or they need help with an offspring who needs saving, when at other times and in other circumstances, they would most likely bring harm to the human? I know stories of a bear and a fox who had plastic bottles stuck over their heads, thus they couldn’t eat or drink. In both instances, they sought out humans to ask for help. Such is the same of a dolphin and a whale who were stuck in fishing nets. How is it that a wild animal can learn or just decide to love and trust a human when they normally don’t? There is another case to be made in favor of all animals, and that’s the case they animals do have souls. Some say that they don’t, therefore they are not part of heaven’s plan of God. Some say that animals don’t have the ability to ask for forgiveness when they do wrong. Does a dog not cower? Does a dog not fear? Does a dog not become calmer, saddened, and offer itself to its master shyly when the possibility of being disciplined is at hand? Does a dog not lower its head while looking up at you with their soulful eyes as a statement that they’re sorry for what they have done and at the same time seem to be asking for forgiveness? The best proof that a dog or any other animal has a soul is their ability to love unconditionally. A dog’s love is genuine. It is love from their heart, not their head. To love is impossible without a soul for if a living being is without a soul, then isn’t the concept of love, but more of a thought than genuine feeling? Animals love without conditions for that love, whether it be love that’s given or love that is received. Isn’t it possible that a dog love a cat and a cat love a dog? Isn’t it possible for a cheetah to make camp and sleep next to a human and then return to living in the wild each day when not sleeping? I’ve even known of cats with mice or birds for best friends when they are natural enemies.
In today’s medical terminology, to have the ability to sustain life, breathe, and have a brain able of cognitive thought is the means to having a soul. 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?” “… and all flesh shall see the salvation of God.”
God created the animals and said they were good. Genesis 1:25 says, “And God made the beast of the earth after his kind, and cattle after their kind, and every thing that creepeth upon the earth after his kind: and God saw that it was good.” Therefore, there is no reason why there could not be pets, and other animals on the new earth. Revelation 21:1 states, “And I saw a new heaven and a new earth: for the first heaven and the first earth were passed away; and there was no more sea.” There will most definitely be animals during the millennial kingdom where they all can live in harmony. In 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.”
Christ comes to redeem us, but not animals because he does not have to—they are already saved as they do not sin. In his Epistle to the Romans, Paul writes in Romans 8:22, “For we know that the whole creation groaneth and travaileth in pain together until now.” And this includes animals. They suffer because of our sin, and they too will be released from the suffering of this world upon the return of Jesus Christ. But upon their death they are not judged but enter into paradise. Are you looking for peace regarding the death of your pet? Consider this often-quoted passage from the Bible, which says, “And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus.” He is waiting to see you there, play with you, and spend the afterlife in heaven with you. If your dog has just passed away, please be patient with yourself and feel free to take all the time you need to grieve. You will get through this; it will just take some time and patience.
Many Bible verses seem to indicate that God will save not only people, but every living thing. In these instances, animals and people alike wait for salvation. Luke 6:3, says, “And Jesus answering them said, have ye not read so much as this, what David did, when himself was an hungred, and they which were with him.” In the last book of the Bible, it seems that God meant animals to be part of His world—now and in the age to come. “In Paradise there was complete harmony between man and animals; one day again that harmony will be restored, and all creation will be made anew.” New creation—man and animal—will live together in peace. Indeed, the Bible does confirm that there are animals in Heaven. If God created animals for the Garden of Eden to give us a picture of His ideal place, He will surely include them in Heaven, God’s perfect new Eden! If these animals live in Heaven, our pets will be there too. So, if a horse and other animals are in Heaven—why not my dog? Your cat? All other animals?
God looked down on his creation and said, “I need someone who will bring comfort to every human being, someone who will emanate joy at all times. I need someone to befriend the humans.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone whose only purpose is to love. Someone who delights solely in people. Someone to stave off loneliness and lick up tears. I need someone with an uncanny ability to produce smiles even under the most discouraging of circumstances. Someone who will console troubled children and adults alike.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone who will make people laugh, even on their hardest days. Someone who will fill empty hearts and heal broken ones. I need someone with a keen awareness of sadness and grief, who will never be afraid to acknowledge it. Someone who will never be afraid to approach crying and broken people.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone whose wet nose will gently rouse weary souls out of bed in the morning, who will follow them to the kitchen and warm their feet as they sip coffee. I need someone who will clean crumbs off the floor and lap up spilled milk. Someone who will lick dirty dishes until they sparkle and be a calming presence when settling in for a snooze after a job well-done.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone to give humans gentle reminders throughout the day to take care of themselves. Someone who will kindly nudge them out the door for soothing walks and deep breaths of fresh air. I need someone who will help people enjoy my creation to the fullest. Someone who will provide priceless entertainment by chasing birds and belly flopping into the lake.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone to play with all the children. Someone who will never be too busy to play catch or frisbee. Someone who loves to chase balls and always has time for an ice cream cone on the back porch. I need someone who isn’t afraid to barrel into piles of crunchy leaves or make a playground out of mud holes. Someone who isn’t afraid to get messy.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone to protect the humans, someone to alert them of danger and guide them out of harm’s way. I need someone who loves people so much that he harbors no fear over the possibility of losing his life in order to save theirs. Someone who always puts human well-being above his own.” So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone who will be a keeper of secrets. Someone who isn’t afraid to look into the eyes of hurting people, someone who will always listen intently. I need someone who will mediate household disputes, who will listen calmly to each point of view before distracting everyone with adorable antics, making them forget all about their disagreement.” So, God gave us dogs.
He knew that humans would experience suffering and broken bonds, that their lives would be complicated and messy. He knew they would need a pure example of loyalty, and compassion. And he knew they would need someone to love them unconditionally and always welcome them home. So, God gave us dogs.
He said, “I need someone who will comfort the sick and dying. Someone who will be a continuous source of friendship for those who have been forgotten. I need someone to ensure that human beings experience a peaceful farewell as they fade from one life and move into the next.” So, God gave us dogs.
Upon examining the scriptures, we just don’t have biblical support to say this with certainty. As I started this message earlier, I declared that I had good news for you and that the good news is in Psalm 36:6, “Thy righteousness is like the great mountains; thy judgments are a great deep: O LORD, thou preserveth man and beast.” A very important question is if you, will be in heaven. The only way to be sure is to make certain you will be in heaven yourself. Decide today to accept Jesus Christ as your Savior and have the full assurance that you will go to heaven and receive eternal life. As for your pets being in heaven… the only way you’ll know for sure is to go there yourself. That is my prayer for you all. Amen!
