God and Dogs

PROOF OF ANIMAL IMMORTALITY

There are those who believe and those who don’t. All we can hope to do is provide everyone with the proof through information from the writings of some of the world’s greatest scholars and other intelligent sources. If after you’ve read this information, you still don’t believe then it’s something you’ll have to deal with through God Himself.

One would think that since all of this information and that provided by dozens of books, sermons and general writings on the subject prove without a doubt that animals are sinless, God’s creatures are part of His plan for Heaven. But as all of these writings plainly indicate, many humans refuse to accept the fact that what they see as the lowly animal creature and other children of God could possibly share equality.

Christian scholars Martin Luther, John Calvin, John Wesley, Dr. Andrew Linzey, St. Francis of Assisi, Dr. Albert Schweitzer, C.S. Lewis, the Jack Van Impe Ministries, the late Pope John Paul 11 and many others, support the belief that animals have souls and a place in Heaven. Does that mean non-believers consider themselves more learned than these people?

I think it's time that the doubters confronted the truth and came to grips with the fact that God created us all and He has a plan for us all in a Heaven so beautiful that when we enter those golden gates it will be the happiest times we have ever had.

There are those who will say, we should spend more time on bringing people to the Lord and less on worrying about whether animals go to Heaven. I say it's all part of God's work. Yes, we do try to bring humans to God and yes we try to prove the immortality of animals to those who don't believe. It's what is expected of us as Christians. God made us all, humans, animals, insects and every living creature. We are all God's creatures and when you are refering to animals in a negative way, you are refering to children of God in a negative way. Judge Not Less Ye Be Judged. Those are the words of God.Once you've read the teachings of the Bible and some of the greatest scholars who ever lived you'll understand that by not believing in animal immortality you are questioning what most of the experts have known and preached for decades.

The Bible teaches that "all flesh shall see the salvation of God" (Lk.3:6) and that "all the living things in creation—everything that lives in the air, and on the ground, and under the ground, and in the sea" will praise Yahweh and the Lamb" (Rev.5:13). God's care and love extends to even the humble sparrow (Lk.12:6) and He has promised that He will restore all living things (Ac.3:21; Eph.1:10). Death as a whole will be annulled or abolished (1 Cor.15:25-26; 2 Tim.1:10) and the whole creation will be renewed (Rev.21:4-5). The resurrection will affect all celestial (heavenly) creatures and all terrestrial (earthly) ones (1 Cor.15:35-42). There will be a world-wide restoration of all life in its perfect frame—the curse pronounced by God after the Fall will be reversed—parasites will no longer live a parasitical lifestyle, carnivorous animals will become vegetarians, and all will be at peace.

ROMANS 8:19-21 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (KJV).

LUKE 3:6 And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.'" (NKJ)

ACTS 3:21 Whom the heaven must receive until the times of restitution of all things, which God hath spoken by the mouth of all his holy prophets since the world began. (KJV)

REV. 21:4 And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away. (KJV)

REV. 21:5 And He that sat upon the throne said, Behold, I make all things new. And He said unto me, Write: for these words are true and faithful. (KJV

ECCLESIASTES 3:18 I said in my heart, "Concerning the condition of the sons of men, God tests them, that they may see that they themselves are like animals”. (NKJ)

ECCLESIASTES 3:19-20 Man's fate is like that of the animals; the same fate awaits them both: As one dies, so dies the other. All have the same breath, man has no advantage over the animal. Everything is meaningless. All go to the same place; all come from dust and to dust all return. (NIV)

ROMANS 8:19-21 For the earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God, because the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God. (KJV).

LUKE 3:6 teaches that and all flesh shall see the salvation of God. (KJV)

PSALM 36:6 Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains, your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O LORD. (NRS)

PSALM 104:29 Thou hidest Thy face—they are troubled, Thou gatherest their spirit—they expire, and unto their dust they turn back. (YLT)

GENESIS 1:30 and to every animal of the earth, and to every fowl of the heavens, and to everything that creepeth on the earth, in which is a living soul, every green herb for food. And it was so. (DBY)

"The Dead Sea Scrolls Uncovered"

Your Holy Spirit

Fragment 9 Column 2 Fragment 10 Column 1 (1) He (God) opened His Mercies...all the needs of His storehouse, and gave sustenance (2) to every living thing. There is none...{If he} closes his hand, and the Spi{rit of all} (3) flesh is withdrawn,

God gives life to every living thing/spirit but when He chooses, He takes their spirit back, withdraws it.

Fragment 9 Column 2 Fragment 10 referring to the spirit of all flesh reads much like Psalms 104 25-32 There before me lies the might ocean, teeming with life of every kind, both great and small. And look! See the ships! And over there, the whale you made to play in the sea. Every one of these depends on you to give them daily food. You supply it, and they gather it. You open wide your hand to feed them and they are satisfied with all your bountiful provision. But if you turn away from them, then all is lost. And when you gather up their breath, (spirit) they die and turn again to dust. Then you send your Spirit, and new life is born to replenish all the living of the earth. Praise God forever! How he must rejoice in all his work! The earth trembles at his glance; the mountains burst into flame at his touch. (Psalms 104:25-32 TLB) When God gathers up or takes back their spirits their flesh returns to dust.

And all flesh perished that moved upon the earth, both fowl, and cattle, and beast, and every swarming thing that swarmeth upon the earth, and every man; all in whose nostrils was the breath of the spirit of life, whatsoever was in the dry land, died. (Genesis 7:21-22 Holy Scriptures)

And they fell upon their faces, and said, O God, the God of the spirits of all flesh, shall one man sin, and wilt thou be wroth with all the congregation (Numbers 16:22 KJV) These are three of the scriptures mentioned in various books of the Bible referring to the spirit of the animals.

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 (spirit) of all mankind. (Job 12:9-10 KJV)

"And to every beast of the earth, and to every fowl of the air, and to every thing that creepeth upon the earth, wherein there is a living soul, [I have given] every green herb for food.' And it was so. (Genesis 1:30 Holy Scriptures)

An explanation of "animal" and the terms "soul" and "spirit" are spelled out in the book "Animals On the Agenda" edited and commented on by Dr. Andrew Linzey. He states:

The very word animal is almost the opposite to spiritual—which is why many Christians strongly reject the idea that human beings are animals, because they assume that this would mean we do not have spirits, or souls. But of course the soul, a distinct 'immortal' part which inhabits our bodies much as our bodies inhabit our clothes, is a Greek concept which is quite foreign to the Bible. In Hebrew, the words for 'animal' 'breath', and 'spirit' are often related: As indeed, in Latin our word 'animal' or 'spirit' animus means 'mind', the Hebrew word translated 'creature' in Genesis 1 and 2 is nephesh, whose root means 'breathe' and which is frequently and tendentiously translated 'soul' in human contexts throughout the Old Testament. The 'breath' of life is ruach, which elsewhere is rendered 'spirit' (or even 'Spirit'). Likewise, the standard Greek word for 'animal' is zoon, which is related to zoe which means 'life'. For example, Jesus' declaration in John 14.6, eimi he zoe: 'I am Life'. In other words, whereas English suggest a distinction between the animal kingdom and the world of the spirit, these ancient languages tend to imply a continuum.

St. Francis of Assisi

St. Francis of Assisi was a Catholic Monk who had a most intimate relationship with God and the creatures of earth. Much has been written about him and the Catholic Church as a special day dedicated to St. Francis. St. Francis so loved the animals and his Lord he was inspired to create the first nativity scene. We have continued to create nativity scenes every year to celebrate the birth of Jesus.

The following was translated by David Burr, History Department, Virginia Tech, Blacksbury, VA concerning St. Francis of Assisi and the animals:

St. Francis who always referred to the animals as his brothers and sisters, known for his love for animals and understanding of God's love for them. Meanwhile, at a time when many were joining the brothers, most blessed father Francis was passing through the valley of Spoleto. He came to a certain place near Bevagna, in which a great many birds of various types had congregated, including doves, crows and some other commonly called daws. When he saw them Francis, that most blessed servant of God, being a man of great favor and very sympathetic toward the lower, irrational creatures, quickly left his companions on the road and ran over to them. When he got there, he saw that they were waiting expectantly and saluted them. Surprised that the birds had not flown away as they normally do, he was filled with joy and humbly begged them to listen to the word of God. Among the things he told them, he said the following: "My brothers the birds, you should love your creator deeply and praise him always. He has given you feathers to wear, wings to fly with, and whatever else you need. He has made you noble among his creatures and given you a dwelling in the pure air. You neither sow nor reap, yet he nevertheless protects and governs you without any anxiety on your part."

Martin Luther—Protestant Reformer,
Lectures on Animal Immortality

Luther's daughter Mary Catherine had a dog name Tolpel which she loved very much. When Tolpel died it grieved her greatly. Upon Tolpel's death she ask her father whether her precious pet would be in heaven. Luther gave the following assurance to her:

Certainly, for there the earth will not be without form and void. Peter said that the last day would be the restitution of all things. God will create a new heaven and a new earth and new Tolpel's with hide of gold and silver. God will be all in all; and snakes, now poisonous because of original sin, will then be so harmless that we shall be able to play with them.' He said: 'all creatures will not only be harmless, but lovely and joyful.' He quoted the following scriptures from Revelation 21:4,7: "And God shall wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain: for the former things are passed away" "He that overcometh shall inherit all things; and I will be his God, and he shall be my son."

Additionally Luther said:

Be thou comforted, little dog. Thou too in Resurection shall have a little golden tail.

John Calvin—Founder of the Presbyterian church,
Lectures on Romans 8:19-22.

He explains Pauls teaching on the subject of eternal life both concerning the children of God and the remainder of creation, the animals, plants and inanimate creation as well.

John Calvin's commentary:

Romans 8:19 For the intent expectation of the creation, etc. He (Paul) teaches us that there is an example of the patience, to which he had exhorted us, even in mute creatures. For, to omit various interpretations, I understand the passage to have this meaning—that there is no element and no part of the world which, being touched as it were, with a sense of its present misery, does not intensely hope for a resurrection. He indeed lays down two things,-- that all are creatures in distress,—and yet that they are sustained by hope. And it hence also appears how immense is the value of eternal glory, that it can excite and draw all things to desire it.

John Wesley—Founder of the Methodist Church,
Sermon on the General Deliverance

John Wesley was the most charismatic and far reaching of all the early Protestant reformers. Within his sermons on the word of God he includes The General Deliverance Sermon which includes all creation.

SERMON SIXTY THE GENERAL DELIVERANCE (Text from the 1872 edition)

"The earnest expectation of the creature waiteth for the manifestation of the sons of God. For the creature was made subject to vanity, not willingly, but by reason of him that subjected it: Yet in hope that the creature itself also shall be delivered from the bondage of corruption, into the glorious liberty of the sons of God. For we know that the whole creation groaneth, and travaileth in pain together until now." (Romans 8:19-22)

Animals Do Have a Soul

In the Old Testament, the soul means "living being." The soul is the living being of a person or an animal. The soul is the psyche, the mind, the emotions, the self-image—the psychological being apart from the spiritual being.

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.

Animals Do 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 non-human animals.

God Has Dominion Over Us All

All souls belong to Him and God can do with all His creatures whatever He chooses. The Book of Job says:

"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." (Job 12:9-10 KJV)

Animals Are Innocent

The Scriptures say that animals are not of themselves sinners, but are subject to the results of sin—not of their own accord, but because of man's sins.

God subjected animals to death just as He did man. However, in doing so, He also gave them hope for the future. Paul wrote in the Book of Romans:

"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."(Romans 8:21-22 KJV)

Animals Share in the Covenant with Noah

Sin continued and the condition of the earth worsened...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.

Genesis 9:3-16 gives us 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:

"...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 God 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 Were Meant to Live Forever, Just Like Man

The Scriptures tell us that animals do have an eternal existence with God, along with the children of God. They have a soul and a spirit, just like we do. Paul's letter to the Ephesians tells us that God works all things (creation) after His will.

"Let everything he has made give praise to him. For he issues his command, and they came into being; he established them forever and forever. His orders will never be revoked." (Psalm 148:5-6 TLB)