Sermon On Is Heaven Available To All?

Richard Duane Warren otherwise known as Rick Warren, an American Southern Baptist evangelical Christian pastor and author once remarked: "The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ came to do three things. He came to have my past forgiven, you get a purpose for living and a home in Heaven." Revelation 22:1-5 reminds us: “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, bright as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb through the middle of the street of the city; also, on either side of the river, the tree of life with its twelve kinds of fruit, yielding its fruit each month. The leaves of the tree were for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be anything accursed, but the throne of God and of the Lamb will be in it, and his servants will worship him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. And night will be no more. They will need no light of lamp or sun, for the Lord God will be their light, and they will reign forever and ever.”

Heaven is defined by Wikipedia as a common religious cosmological or transcendent supernatural place, where certain beings are said to originate, be enthroned, or reside. For many believers, it is hopefully the prospective eternal home that is anticipated to accommodate certain species of life that have been deemed worthy by God at the conclusion of their allotted time on Earth. For some humans, it is often considered a new life to come. John 14:2 confirms: “In my Father's house are many rooms. If it were not so, would I have told you that I go to prepare a place for you?”

Heaven is considered by many, in the biblical sense of the word, to be the main residence of God. It is the kingdom over which He has total domain. Amongst the many possibilities, it signifies not only an eternal home or resting place, but abundant love, freedom, community spirit and worship. One could imagine pleasant green pastures and streams where happiness fills the air and a sense of peace abounds everywhere. Nothing could really be more idyllic or perfect.

There has been much controversy over the question of whether or not animals are allowed into Heaven. Some would vehemently refute the possibility that creatures can dwell in Heaven on the grounds that animals do not have souls, they cannot reason or make moral decisions and therefore do not require salvation as humans do. Although God made man in His own image, God also created all living creatures. Genesis 1:24-25 confirms: "And God said, "Let the earth bring forth living creatures according to their kinds - livestock and creeping things and beasts of the earth according to their kinds." And it was so. And God made the beasts of the earth according to their kinds and the livestock according to their kinds, and everything that creeps on the ground according to its kind. And God saw that it was good.

God created everything on Earth for a definitive purpose and pleasure. Although there is much debate and speculation on the issue of whether God’s animals can reside in Heaven, it has been said that the Bible neither actually confirms nor denies this fact. For some, the prospect or thought of non-reunification with their beloved pets after death is unthinkable and it does appear improbable that the love that God has for all the things He created, would prevent certain species from entering His kingdom in paradise.

However, the Bible does confirm that predators and prey can live in harmony and peace with one another. Isaiah 11:6-9 reminds us: The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra's den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper's nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea." Thus, an important question needs to be considered: If this passage does not relate to Earthly happenings, and we know that to be an indisputable fact, where does it occur? Several Bible verses indicate that God can not only save people, but every living thing, which in itself, presupposes or suggests that God would not turn away any living creature from His glorious kingdom. Psalm 36:6-7 confirms: "Your righteousness is like the mountains of God; your judgments are like the great deep; man and beast you save, O Lord. How precious is your steadfast love, O God! The children of mankind take refuge in the shadow of your wings."