The other day I was asked to do a blog on what happens to our pets when they die? Where do they go? Do they go to heaven? As humans we are by our very nature compassionate and emotionally attached to various objects in our lifetime. People, animals, possessions, etc. This was not a child asking this, but a grown adult. I will endeavor to answer this question, as it is one people have been asking for thousands of years.
I was looking online as to what other Men of God have written about this subject. I will quote and paraphrase what I learned from those who are vastly more qualified to answer such an emotional question. I also want to say upfront that as I write these letters and do the research, my thoughts sometimes get mixed up with those to whom I am trying to quote. I don’t mean to do it, but as I spend long hours at this, it happens.
Answers in Genesis makes this statement, that scripture is silent on this matter, will animals be resurrected? “ There is no scripture stating that animals have eternal life….though animals have nephesh and ruach ( the most common words in the Hebrew for soul and spirit) they were not created in the image of God, which means they do not have an eternal spirit, as we humans do.”
Jesus came to give humans eternal life, not animals. Jesus died and was resurrected so that the penalty of sin was lifted or removed from us. Every time resurrection is mentioned in scripture there is no evidence it ever pertains to animals. God created everything in six days, and then He created man and woman last!
Why did He do that? He did it for us! We were created last and everything we needed was already here for us to use and enjoy. Animals were put on the earth for us to use and subdue or domesticate, but never to abuse! Genesis 1:28 “God said to them, Be fruitful and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue it, and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over the fowls of the air, and over every living thing that moveth upon the earth.” KJV
So as children of God (born again believers) we bear the image of God in our physical body and through our spirit. We are to look at His creation the way He does in Genesis, He provided everything for them, both in the plant world and the animal world too. Everything they needed to live and enjoy life. As humans, we have domesticated some animals to be pets and companions, not to abuse them but take care of them the way God takes care of us. We are doing what God commanded us to do in Genesis as we care for our animals.
Our pets bring us great pleasure and companionship, but their lives are much shorter than ours and they leave us feeling empty when they die. This is normal, but don’t grieve over them. They died, having fulfilled their destiny. Learn from them on how to fulfill your own destiny that God placed within us. Live the life of Love for the lost and dying world of people around us.
In Ecclesiastes 12:7, KJV, it’s says our spirit returns to God who gave it to us, but the soul of animals returns to the earth. Animals do not ask questions about God, and they do not have a concept of truth. This means that our soul and their souls are different. Our human soul was created with more capacity to fulfill a purpose unsuited to animals. God put these animals on earth to be our food (Genesis 9:3), do our heavy work, make us clothing, help protect us, and even give us companionship.
Paul tells us in Romans 8:19-23 that all creation groans in pain waiting on us to be set free from the bondage to our sins that has caused such pain and misery for the entire, complete world!
I use biblehub.com a lot in my research and study. I am particularly fond of John Gill, Charles Elliott, and Matthew Pooles commentaries. So this morning I will quote some of John’s thoughts on this subject of animals verses humans spirits. Ecclesiastes 3:21 KJV, “Who knoweth the spirit of man that goeth upward, and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth.”
“There is indeed a difference between a man and a beast; though they have one breath, they have not one spirit or soul; man has a rational and immortal soul, which when he dies, goes upward to God that gave it; to be judged by Him, and disposed of by Him, in its proper apartment, until the day of resurrection of the body; and the spirit of the beast that goeth downward to the earth? When the beast dies, its spirit goes down to the earth, from whence it came, and is resolved into it, and is no more.
But who is it that sees, or who can know with the eyes of the body, the difference of these two spirits, or the ascent of one and the descent of the other?” John has more to say but I will skip it and just put down my conclusions.
Mankind, especially in our modern 2025 world has totally disregarded Gods Holy Word, our Bible, as complete nonsense; and they value animal life over human life (abortion), and spend stupid money on their animals, dental, medical, food marts, playthings, therapy, doggie parks, etc. We should use our resources to help those who are human beings, not animals. Remember we are eternal and they are not! Jesus came to save mankind, not the animal kingdom.
I know this goes against popular culture nowadays, but it’s the truth. I have much more to say, but I’d rather leave it unspoken for now. I believe I have answered the question of what happens to animals after they die. I will close out this letter as I always do by saying, Remember you will make it, just don’t give up. Keep looking for His return and live the life of Love. See you next time as we study Gods word together.
In His Service As Kilted Priest
The Kilted Priest 