Today was a bit of a rough day for the family. Today we said goodbye to a beloved pet that had been with us for just barely shy of fourteen years. That's one year less than my wife and I have been together. It's also the second pet that our son has had to say goodbye too, though I'm certain this is the one that hits him the hardest. My wife informed me that he had gone, sat where Duke's kennel used to be, and just sort of cried.
Not to be a downer, but it brings up the idea of eternity and whether or not we will see our pets on the other side of the veil. As much as I wish I had a clear answer, the Bible tells us precious little about what eternity and heaven will be like. Even when people cite the "pearly gates" and "street of gold" they are actually citing a description of the New Jerusalem. This is particularly a problem since the book of Revelation is so heavily filled with symbolism and the description of this city is that of a bride adorned for her husband which is a direct reference to the church which is called the Bride of Christ. So it is very likely that the New Jerusalem is meant as a symbol for the idealized church, free from all corruption and sin upon Christ's return. In other words, the very things people cite probably aren't literal. So where does that leave us? Well, as far as people's descriptions of Heaven are concerned, not much at all.
We do know that we will be freed at last from the power and presence of sin and that we will be finally holy as God is holy. We know we will have perfect fellowship with God and the rest of the body of Christ, but beyond that, there is very little said. We have far more said about Hell than Heaven. Then of course there is the New Heavens and the New Earth. We have zero description of what that will be like though I would guess it means that Earth will be created again to be like what it was intended to be all along before the fall and entrance of sin into creation. I would also have to assume God will have animals again there as well. Whether or not He recreates our beloved pets for us at all or not is total speculation, though when the time comes, I doubt we'll be all that concerned with it. Who knows?
Perhaps we aren't told because our focus is to be primarily on how we advance the Kingdom of God here on Earth, not simply hoping Christ eventually brings it to us when He returns. It is our job to carry out His will here while He reigns from Heaven at this present moment.
Though there isn't any concrete evidence, so far as I can find, that proves the quote came from Martin Luther, there is a statement that comes to mind that is attributed to him. Allegedly speaking to his dog at some point, Luther told his furry companion, “Be thou comforted,little dog;thou too in Resurrection shall have a little golden tail.” There's nothing scriptural to back that up, but I'd like to think that it's true in spirit. However, let's not be dogmatic about it. After all, not all dogs go to Heaven, isn't that right Cujo?
Rest well buddy. We're gonna miss you.
R.I.P. Duke: 2009-2023
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