Do you believe that only humans will be resurrected, or that because of Gods promise to restore all creation, that includes animals so that their lives will have done them any good? Many people claim that because the Bible doesn’t specify that they will be resurrected, that their lives are irrelevant for eternity. They make the same assumption about marriage and sex even though that’s the only thing God said wasn’t good to be without before creating it, and was needed for creation to be complete.
The Bible does not say that animals will or will not be resurrected. If they are to be raised, some claim that it would overcrowd the planet earth. Of course, God has what appears to be an infinite universe with many places that he could raise animals back to life to live.
There is only one scripture we know of that may indicate that animals may be raised in the resurrection day:
Ecclesiastes 3:19 - For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. -- American Standard Version
Solomon here describes mankind under the bondage of corruption, under the sun of vanity, due to Adam's sin. (Romans 5:12-19; 8:19-22) He says that the same death is upon both man and beast, which may indicate the beasts may also be included in the resurrection.
Some point to 2 Peter 2:12 and claim that this scripture says that animals were not made to live forever. what does it say there?
2 Peter 2:12 - But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed. -- World English.
2 Peter 2:12 - and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed -- in what things they are ignorant of, speaking evil -- in their destruction shall be destroyed. -- Young's Literal.
It is claimed that this scripture shows that God originally made animals to die, not to live forever. Whether this be true or not, we really cannot tell from this scripture or any other scripture found in the Bible. More than likely Peter was describing man as being like a beast as Solomon wrote, and this due to Adam's sin, as Paul wrote.
Peter, however, may be speaking of some who come among the church, but who were not actually sons of God. Some claim that he was speaking of some who had been regenerated and turned aside, likened to going back to being what he was before. (2 Peter 2:22) Many who hold this view also assume that Peter was speaking of these as coming under the second condemntion -- the second death. However, those who receive the second condemnation would not be "ignorant," for only those who have an accurate knowledge of the truth can come under the second condemnation. (Hebrews 10:26) Thus, it appears that Peter may be speaking those who associate with the church but who have never regenerated, or if they have been regenerated, they never attained the accurate knowledge of the truth. Such, like the people of Bethsaida and Capernaum, will find it less tolerable in the day of Judgment that otherwise. -- Matthew 11:20-24.
At any rate, the conclusion is that we have no scripture that actually gives us solid reason to believe that animals will or will not be raised. All we can do is leave it up to God and Christ.
I do not believe that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that heaven (where the angels are able to see the face of God) will here on earth. The article appears to be ignorant of what the JWs teach. Although I have studied a lot of the JWs material, I am not with the JWs, but I know that I don't believe such an idea. The word "heaven(s)" in the Bible has several different applications, however; is it is not always referring to heaven where God's throne is and where the angels are able to see God's face. (Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:34; 18:10) I have several studies related to this and present links to a few of these:
Thank you for this study. It delivers the truth about the breath and spirit.
ReplyDeleteThank you about the knowledge
ReplyDeleteDo you believe that only humans will be resurrected, or that because of Gods promise to restore all creation, that includes animals so that their lives will have done them any good? Many people claim that because the Bible doesn’t specify that they will be resurrected, that their lives are irrelevant for eternity. They make the same assumption about marriage and sex even though that’s the only thing God said wasn’t good to be without before creating it, and was needed for creation to be complete.
ReplyDeleteThe Bible does not say that animals will or will not be resurrected. If they are to be raised, some claim that it would overcrowd the planet earth. Of course, God has what appears to be an infinite universe with many places that he could raise animals back to life to live.
DeleteThere is only one scripture we know of that may indicate that animals may be raised in the resurrection day:
Ecclesiastes 3:19 - For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. -- American Standard Version
Solomon here describes mankind under the bondage of corruption, under the sun of vanity, due to Adam's sin. (Romans 5:12-19; 8:19-22) He says that the same death is upon both man and beast, which may indicate the beasts may also be included in the resurrection.
Some point to 2 Peter 2:12 and claim that this scripture says that animals were not made to live forever. what does it say there?
2 Peter 2:12 - But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed. -- World English.
2 Peter 2:12 - and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed -- in what things they are ignorant of, speaking evil -- in their destruction shall be destroyed. -- Young's Literal.
It is claimed that this scripture shows that God originally made animals to die, not to live forever. Whether this be true or not, we really cannot tell from this scripture or any other scripture found in the Bible. More than likely Peter was describing man as being like a beast as Solomon wrote, and this due to Adam's sin, as Paul wrote.
Peter, however, may be speaking of some who come among the church, but who were not actually sons of God. Some claim that he was speaking of some who had been regenerated and turned aside, likened to going back to being what he was before. (2 Peter 2:22) Many who hold this view also assume that Peter was speaking of these as coming under the second condemntion -- the second death. However, those who receive the second condemnation would not be "ignorant," for only those who have an accurate knowledge of the truth can come under the second condemnation. (Hebrews 10:26) Thus, it appears that Peter may be speaking those who associate with the church but who have never regenerated, or if they have been regenerated, they never attained the accurate knowledge of the truth. Such, like the people of Bethsaida and Capernaum, will find it less tolerable in the day of Judgment that otherwise. -- Matthew 11:20-24.
At any rate, the conclusion is that we have no scripture that actually gives us solid reason to believe that animals will or will not be raised. All we can do is leave it up to God and Christ.
What do you make of the claims in this article https://www.christiancourier.com/articles/1353-will-heaven-be-on-earth
ReplyDeleteI do not believe that the Jehovah's Witnesses believe that heaven (where the angels are able to see the face of God) will here on earth. The article appears to be ignorant of what the JWs teach. Although I have studied a lot of the JWs material, I am not with the JWs, but I know that I don't believe such an idea. The word "heaven(s)" in the Bible has several different applications, however; is it is not always referring to heaven where God's throne is and where the angels are able to see God's face. (Psalm 11:4; Isaiah 66:1; Matthew 5:34; 18:10) I have several studies related to this and present links to a few of these:
Deletehttps://bible-hope.blogspot.com/2018/03/3heaven.html
https://jesusnotyhwh.blogspot.com/2016/09/heb-1-10-12.html
https://bible-covenants.blogspot.com/2016/11/ages.html
https://bible-creation.blogspot.com/2018/01/beginning.html