Animals in the "new heaven" and "new earth"?

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This is a variation on a common question about pets in heaven. In Rev 21:1, St. John sees “a new heaven and a new earth.” We have a walled city with gates, complete with measurements (21:12-17). We have precious stones on the city’s foundation (21:19-20). We have streets made of transparent gold (21:21). But no animals.

I understand that everything I have mentioned above has deep theological meaning: A walled city recalls Jerusalem as the most glorious of cities, so naturally it would be the image used to describe Heaven. Likewise, mention of precious stones and gold indicate the splendor of God in Heaven; there is no longer any sun or moon because of God’s great light (21:23-24). I understand that the measurements of the city were meant to convey a cube to point to the fact that the entire heavenly city is the new Holy of Holies; there is no temple in the city (21:22). I understand all of that.

But this got me wondering: Do we have any indication of what non-human and non-spiritual creatures might exist after the last Day? If there are no other forms of life or non-living creatures, then will we just have glorified bodies (this is after the final Resurrection of the dead) just floating around with nothing to walk on?

Then Advent comes around, and we hear references to the wolf being the “guest of the lamb”, the calf and the lion browsing with a little child guiding them, the cow and the bear being neighbors, etc. (Isaiah 11:6-9). I understand, of course, that this refers to creation being restored, and peace ruling the day. But are there actually animals in this new, peaceful restored order?

I struggle with the possibility–theologically speaking–that a peaceful Heaven will not include animals. (I am not emotionally attached to any particular animals; that is not what is motivating this question.) There seems to be something odd in suggesting that Heaven will have things that were, according to Genesis 1, created on the first 2 (and a “half”?) days–like streets of gold, or any ground to walk on, or air to breathe–and then skip ahead to the last “half” of day 6–leaving out intermediate “levels” of Creation including vegetation, beasts, birds, etc. It seems equally odd to suggest that only human beings will be present–floating around with no ground to walk on and no air to breathe (even if neither walking nor breathing are necessary). No, I don’t believe in 6 literal days of Creation, but we still have to deal with the Biblical concept that Creation came in stages from simplest to most complex–with or without evolution

Yet, the common Catholic/philosophical response to this is that animals do not have immortal souls, so they can’t go to Heaven. I must admit that I struggle with this standard response for theological reasons. I am a high school Theology teacher, and I have gotten this question several times: Do animals go to Heaven? I would love to be able to give an intelligent and honest answer that is in line with any relevant Church teaching on the matter.

By the way, I have read the EWTN FAQ on the subject: ewtn.com/expert/expertfaqframe.asp?source=/vexperts/conference.htm

I have also read another thread in a Catholic Answers Forum here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=8630

Neither of these two sources really address my question, though the above Forum thread shows a lot of support for the possibility of animals in Heaven.

Any thoughts on my theological concerns?

Thanks!
~Tim
 
Having never been to Heaven, (New or old ) I honestly say I don’t know.

It is my hope and prayer, however, that I see all the animals I have loved from boyhood to manhood in Heaven, if I get there ;)!

I honestly can’t imagine my life without the dogs that I’ve been truly blessed to have. I’m a better person because of them.
 
tjw163 said:
This is a variation on a common question about pets in heaven. In Rev 21:1, St. John sees “a new heaven and a new earth.” We have a walled city with gates, complete with measurements (21:12-17). We have precious stones on the city’s foundation (21:19-20). We have streets made of transparent gold (21:21). But no animals.
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Except for domestic pets, animals would not be happy in a city. But Scripture does not say that ALL of Heaven is city. The animals could roam the countryside beyond.
I understand that everything I have mentioned above has deep theological meaning: A walled city recalls Jerusalem as the most glorious of cities, so naturally it would be the image used to describe Heaven. Likewise, mention of precious stones and gold indicate the splendor of God in Heaven; there is no longer any sun or moon because of God’s great light (21:23-24). I understand that the measurements of the city were meant to convey a cube to point to the fact that the entire heavenly city is the new Holy of Holies; there is no temple in the city (21:22). I understand all of that.
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But this got me wondering: Do we have any indication of what non-human and non-spiritual creatures might exist after the last Day? If there are no other forms of life or non-living creatures, then will we just have glorified bodies (this is after the final Resurrection of the dead) just floating around with nothing to walk on?
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Nothing to walk on? What are the streets of gold for, then?
Then Advent comes around, and we hear references to the wolf being the “guest of the lamb”, the calf and the lion browsing with a little child guiding them, the cow and the bear being neighbors, etc. (Isaiah 11:6-9). I understand, of course, that this refers to creation being restored, and peace ruling the day. But are there actually animals in this new, peaceful restored order?
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I struggle with the possibility–theologically speaking–that a peaceful Heaven will not include animals. (I am not emotionally attached to any particular animals; that is not what is motivating this question.) There seems to be something odd in suggesting that Heaven will have things that were, according to Genesis 1, created on the first 2 (and a “half”?) days–like streets of gold, or any ground to walk on, or air to breathe–and then skip ahead to the last “half” of day 6–leaving out intermediate “levels” of Creation including vegetation, beasts, birds, etc. It seems equally odd to suggest that only human beings will be present–floating around with no ground to walk on and no air to breathe (even if neither walking nor breathing are necessary).
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We will have legs and feet; why wouldn’t we use them? Especially since there are streets of gold.

And it would be sad not to breathe; no breathing means no smelling or tasting, and no voices, either. It wouldn’t be Heaven without all kinds of smells and flavors, and conversations and music. For all of those, you need breath, and a nose, and larynx, etc. Not to mention the sheer joy of a good refreshing inhale:)

In any case, our LORD breathed, spoke, and walked after HIS Resurrection, and HE had the same sort of pneumatikon soma, that we will in Heaven.
No, I don’t believe in 6 literal days of Creation, but we still have to deal with the Biblical concept that Creation came in stages from simplest to most complex–with or without evolution
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Yet, the common Catholic/philosophical response to this is that animals do not have immortal souls, so they can’t go to Heaven.
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Even if that is true, that would not prevent GOD reinstating them from scratch. I believe HE will. He loves life of all kinds.🙂
I must admit that I struggle with this standard response for theological reasons. I am a high school Theology teacher, and I have gotten this question several times: Do animals go to Heaven? I would love to be able to give an intelligent and honest answer that is in line with any relevant Church teaching on the matter.
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By the way, I have read the EWTN FAQ on the subject: ewtn.com/expert/expertfaqframe.asp?source=/vexperts/conference.htm
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I have also read another thread in a Catholic Answers Forum here: forums.catholic-questions.org/showthread.php?t=8630
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Neither of these two sources really address my question, though the above Forum thread shows a lot of support for the possibility of animals in Heaven.
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Any thoughts on my theological concerns?
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Thanks!
~Tim
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ICXC NIKA
 
Thanks for the replies.

GEddie: My primary question is how to reconcile the common Catholic/philosophical answer that pets don’t go to Heaven because they don’t have immortal souls with the varying Biblical and theological perspectives on the subject. You took a stab at that, and for that I am grateful:
Even if that is true, that would not prevent GOD reinstating them from scratch. I believe HE will. He loves life of all kinds.🙂
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As for your question here:
Nothing to walk on? What are the streets of gold for, then?
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My whole point in the paragraph on the theological meaning of the Rev 21 texts is to allow for the possibility that the reference to “streets of gold” is merely theological symbolism, and not actual, literal reality. (I’m not saying that is the only interpretation–just allowing for the possibility.) Hence the follow up questions on the possibility of non-human, non-spiritual creatures/creation. I guess I didn’t make that point very well.

And I thought the same thing that you did: If God made us with hands and feet, why wouldn’t we continue to use them in Heaven? It makes sense to me, though I suppose it could be argued that certain things might be able to atrophy (without any negative connotation to that word) due to the fact that they’re no longer necessary–sort of like my appendix. (But that would get weird with regard to hands and feet; it would look inhuman…)

Aaaanyway… Some may read my post and think, “This guy clearly is too much of a bookworm and is not allowing himself to experience the mystery of hope in eternal life and Heaven.” But the reason I phrased the question as I did was so that I could restrict the scope of the replies a little bit, and attempt to deal with the question from a philosophical and Biblical perspective. My current job is teaching the New Testament to high school sophomores, so I want to stay in the Biblical texts as much as possible when I answer questions–if for no other reason than to demonstrate just how much guidance we actually do receive from the Scriptures, even if, as a Catholic, I understand that later Church Tradition often elucidates and makes explicit certain truths that are only held implicitly in Scripture.

Keep the replies coming. I’m especially interested in hearing from those who would argue against animals in Heaven. How would you reply to the Biblical texts that I cited in my original post?

Thank you!
 
Its very simple. There will be no animals in Heaven. The Church teaching is clear and unambiguous.** It teaches from creation it is only humans that have a supernatural end.** If only humans have a supernatural end it means all other creatures have a natural end and do not go to Heaven or Hell as their souls cease to exist when the creature dies.
 
tjw163 said:
But this got me wondering: Do we have any indication of what non-human and non-spiritual creatures might exist after the last Day?
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Well, we know that there will be angels (and different angels take different forms). Who knows - some may take the form of puppy dogs. Or there may be other non-angelic creatures which resemble earthly animals.

But we don’t get our pets back in heaven. This is an earthly, materialistic view of heaven, where we image that we cannot be truly happy unless we are able to possess some of the beloved things that we had on earth. Whether this is a pet, or a 1967 cherry-red Ford Shelby Mustang GT-500, or Great-Grandmother’s broach, or that Ming vase, or whatever possessions we treasure the most - we will neither have nor desire any of this in heaven.

There’s an old saying - “You can’t take it with you” (which is based on the parable that Jesus taught in Luke 12:20). This applies to pets, too. I might love and treasure my Mustang, and you might love and treasure your dog, but neither of us can take them with us.

So there will surely be angels, and there could very well be other creatures resembling animals, but there won’t be the specific pets we have known and loved. And, although we will remember these pets fondly, we will not feel deprived in any way by their absence.

God will be sufficient for us to be completely happy. We don’t need God + Fido.
 
Bookcat said:
The Church does not have a teaching regarding if animals will be in the new heavens and new earth…
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When we die we are either condemned and go to Hell or are saved and go to Heaven (probably through Purgatory first). Those who end up in Heaven are there for eternity. Lets not try to confuse this by talking about a different Heaven and a different earth. There is only one Heaven.
The Church teaches only humans have a supernatural end. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that animals do NOT have a supernatural end and therefore will not be joining those in Heaven. If animals are in Heaven, whether directly after they die or are later created that would mean they have a supernatural end which would mean the Church teaching is wrong. How could that be??
 
thistle said:
When we die we are either condemned and go to Hell or are saved and go to Heaven (probably through Purgatory first). Those who end up in Heaven are there for eternity. Lets not try to confuse this by talking about a different Heaven and a different earth. There is only one Heaven.
The Church teaches only humans have a supernatural end. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that animals do NOT have a supernatural end and therefore will not be joining those in Heaven. If animals are in Heaven, whether directly after they die or are later created that would mean they have a supernatural end which would mean the Church teaching is wrong. How could that be??
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Thistle: Do you have any specific comment on the passages I mentioned above? If not, that’s okay; I’m just hoping that someone will see my particular approach to this issue and specifically tell me where I have slipped up. For example, let’s start here: Do you think there will be non-living material–e.g., streets paved with gold, soil (without grass?), rocks, etc.–in the “new heavens” and “new earth”? (And, to your point about confusing the issue by talking about a different heaven and earth, I only speak that way because I am trying to use the exact language of Revelation 21:1.)

As to your objection based on the theological grounds that animals do not have a “supernatural end,” I wonder: Would the animals have died if Adam and Eve had not sinned? In other words, was it only the death of human beings that entered the world because of sin, or were the animals created with death written into their animal souls and DNA? I would like to get at an understanding of a philosophical approach to animal life: Is it specifically eternal existence (e.g., “immortality”) that makes a being’s life and end “supernatural”, or is it something else–say, a sharing in the divine life of eternal LOVE and HAPPINESS (de-emphasizing “eternal” and emphasizing “love and happiness”) with God? Personally speaking, eternal life is not attractive–does not seem “supernatural” to me–unless that eternal life is filled with love and happiness with God. (As a child, I was afraid of eternal life.) That, to me, seems to be the supernatural aspect of it all. I don’t see Hell, for example, as “supernatural” just because it is eternal; perhaps human beings in Hell are so depraved and corrupt that they are “sub-natural” (though still eternal) rather than “supernatural.”

By the way, in asking such questions, I’m not looking for a one-way ticket to Heresy-ville. I’m questioning my own assumptions about what a “supernatural end” really means. Every time one of my students asks me whether there are animals in Heaven, I have always told them No. Now, I am re-thinking the issue and trying a different approach.

2Rollin’Stoned: Thanks for the reference to Ecclesiastes 3:21. Interesting reference!

Bookcat: Thanks for the links! I am trying to think more about the Resurrection these days–hence the questions. And I have always enjoyed reading Kreeft.

DavidFilmer: I appreciate your perspective. The “you-can’t-take-it-with-you” approach is helpful to get people to appreciate the totally satisfying goodness and “sufficiency” (from a human perspective) of God, such that “God + Fido” is not necessary. Still, as you say, that doesn’t–in and of itself–preclude the possibility that other animals might be present.

Thanks to everybody that has responded. I’m enjoying this discussion!
 
tjw163 said:
Thistle: Do you have any specific comment on the passages I mentioned above? If not, that’s okay; I’m just hoping that someone will see my particular approach to this issue and specifically tell me where I have slipped up. For example, let’s start here: Do you think there will be non-living material–e.g., streets paved with gold, soil (without grass?), rocks, etc.–in the “new heavens” and “new earth”? (And, to your point about confusing the issue by talking about a different heaven and earth, I only speak that way because I am trying to use the exact language of Revelation 21:1.)

As to your objection based on the theological grounds that animals do not have a “supernatural end,” I wonder: Would the animals have died if Adam and Eve had not sinned? In other words, was it only the death of human beings that entered the world because of sin, or were the animals created with death written into their animal souls and DNA? I would like to get at an understanding of a philosophical approach to animal life: Is it specifically eternal existence (e.g., “immortality”) that makes a being’s life and end “supernatural”, or is it something else–say, a sharing in the divine life of eternal LOVE and HAPPINESS (de-emphasizing “eternal” and emphasizing “love and happiness”) with God? Personally speaking, eternal life is not attractive–does not seem “supernatural” to me–unless that eternal life is filled with love and happiness with God. (As a child, I was afraid of eternal life.) That, to me, seems to be the supernatural aspect of it all. I don’t see Hell, for example, as “supernatural” just because it is eternal; perhaps human beings in Hell are so depraved and corrupt that they are “sub-natural” (though still eternal) rather than “supernatural.”

By the way, in asking such questions, I’m not looking for a one-way ticket to Heresy-ville. I’m questioning my own assumptions about what a “supernatural end” really means. Every time one of my students asks me whether there are animals in Heaven, I have always told them No. Now, I am re-thinking the issue and trying a different approach.

2Rollin’Stoned: Thanks for the reference to Ecclesiastes 3:21. Interesting reference!

Bookcat: Thanks for the links! I am trying to think more about the Resurrection these days–hence the questions. And I have always enjoyed reading Kreeft.

DavidFilmer: I appreciate your perspective. The “you-can’t-take-it-with-you” approach is helpful to get people to appreciate the totally satisfying goodness and “sufficiency” (from a human perspective) of God, such that “God + Fido” is not necessary. Still, as you say, that doesn’t–in and of itself–preclude the possibility that other animals might be present.

Thanks to everybody that has responded. I’m enjoying this discussion!
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Nobody knows what Heaven looks like. That’s why I simply focus on what the Church tells me about Heaven:

CCC 1024 This perfect life with the Most Holy Trinity - this communion of life and love with the Trinity, with the Virgin Mary, the angels and all the blessed - is called “heaven.” Heaven is the ultimate end and fulfillment of the deepest human longings, the state of supreme, definitive happiness.

Do I believe Heaven has streets paved with gold? No I don’t believe that. Descriptions like that are simply meant to convey the splendour that awaits us but should not be taken literally.

As for mankind having a supernatural end to me that is saying only we have an immortal soul which will never die and animals do not have immortal souls and in their case their souls will cease to exist when their bodies die.

Frankly, I do not understand all the fuss and debate about whether animals are in Heaven. If being in Heaven and united with God and his love forever together with all the saints is not sufficient for a person after death without having their pets with them then really such people do not deserve to be there.
 
Revelations 19:11
Then I saw the heavens opened, and there was a white horse; its rider was (called) “Faithful and True”.

At the very least, God does have horses in His heaven!

Go with Love, Go with God
 
thistle said:
When we die we are either condemned and go to Hell or are saved and go to Heaven (probably through Purgatory first). Those who end up in Heaven are there for eternity. Lets not try to confuse this by talking about a different Heaven and a different earth. There is only one Heaven.
The Church teaches only humans have a supernatural end. It doesn’t take a rocket scientist to understand that animals do NOT have a supernatural end and therefore will not be joining those in Heaven. If animals are in Heaven, whether directly after they die or are later created that would mean they have a supernatural end which would mean the Church teaching is wrong. How could that be??
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There will be new heavens and new earth…I refer you to the Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We do not know what this will be exactly but it will be wonderful…and may include the creation or recreation of animals…

No it does not mean they have a “supernatural end” like man …many owls and lions and zebras live and die…but this does not preclude God from creating or recreating owls and lions and zebras at when there is the “new heavens and new earth”. No supernatural end involved.
 
Catechism of the Catholic Church (link is above): Please read it slowly…

VI. Hope of the New Heaven and the New Earth

1042 At the end of time, the Kingdom of God will come in its fullness. After the universal judgment, the righteous will reign for ever with Christ, glorified in body and soul. the universe itself will be renewed:

The Church . . . will receive her perfection only in the glory of heaven, when will come the time of the renewal of all things. At that time, together with the human race, the universe itself, which is so closely related to man and which attains its destiny through him, will be perfectly re-established in Christ.629

1043 Sacred Scripture calls this mysterious renewal, which will transform humanity and the world, "new heavens and a new earth."630 It will be the definitive realization of God’s plan to bring under a single head "all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth."631

1044 In this new universe, the heavenly Jerusalem, God will have his dwelling among men.632 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."633

1045 For man, this consummation will be the final realization of the unity of the human race, which God willed from creation and of which the pilgrim Church has been "in the nature of sacrament."634 Those who are united with Christ will form the community of the redeemed, “the holy city” of God, "the Bride, the wife of the Lamb."635 She will not be wounded any longer by sin, stains, self-love, that destroy or wound the earthly community.636 The beatific vision, in which God opens himself in an inexhaustible way to the elect, will be the ever-flowing well-spring of happiness, peace, and mutual communion.

1046 For the cosmos, Revelation affirms the profound common destiny of the material world and man:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God . . . in hope because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay… We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.637

1047 The visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, “so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just,” sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ.638

1048 "We know neither the moment of the consummation of the earth and of man, nor the way in which the universe will be transformed. the form of this world, distorted by sin, is passing away, and we are taught that God is preparing a new dwelling and a new earth in which righteousness dwells, in which happiness will fill and surpass all the desires of peace arising in the hearts of men."639

1049 "Far from diminishing our concern to develop this earth, the expectancy of a new earth should spur us on, for it is here that the body of a new human family grows, foreshadowing in some way the age which is to come. That is why, although we must be careful to distinguish earthly progress clearly from the increase of the kingdom of Christ, such progress is of vital concern to the kingdom of God, insofar as it can contribute to the better ordering of human society."640

1050 "When we have spread on earth the fruits of our nature and our enterprise . . . according to the command of the Lord and in his Spirit, we will find them once again, cleansed this time from the stain of sin, illuminated and transfigured, when Christ presents to his Father an eternal and universal kingdom."641 God will then be “all in all” in eternal life:642

True and subsistent life consists in this: the Father, through the Son and in the Holy Spirit, pouring out his heavenly gifts on all things without exception. Thanks to his mercy, we too, men that we are, have received the inalienable promise of eternal life.643
 
thistle said:
When we die we are either condemned and go to Hell or are saved and go to Heaven (probably through Purgatory first). Those who end up in Heaven are there for eternity. Lets not try to confuse this by talking about a different Heaven and a different earth. There is only one Heaven.
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As for heaven I would not say animals “go to heaven”

But…we do not know what things will be like at the resurrection with the “new heavens and new earth” …it is mysterious…

1043 Sacred Scripture calls this mysterious renewal, which will transform humanity and the world, "new heavens and a new earth."630 It will be the definitive realization of God’s plan to bring under a single head "all things in [Christ], things in heaven and things on earth."631

1044 In this new universe, the heavenly Jerusalem, God will have his dwelling among men.632 "He will wipe away every tear from their eyes, and death shall be no more, neither shall there be mourning nor crying nor pain any more, for the former things have passed away."633

1047 The visible universe, then, is itself destined to be transformed, “so that the world itself, restored to its original state, facing no further obstacles, should be at the service of the just,” sharing their glorification in the risen Jesus Christ.638

things will be very interesting 🙂
 
Bookcat said:
There will be new heavens and new earth…I refer you to the Sacred Scriptures and the Catechism of the Catholic Church. We do not know what this will be exactly but it will be wonderful…and may include the creation or recreation of animals…

No it does not mean they have a “supernatural end” like man …many owls and lions and zebras live and die…but this does not preclude God from creating or recreating owls and lions and zebras at when there is the "new heavens and new earth". No supernatural end involved.
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By definition that is a supernatural end!

I also want to say again that anyone who feels eternity in Heaven united to God and his love is insufficient without their pet does not deserve to be there.
 
thistle said:
By definition that is a supernatural end!

I also want to say again that anyone who feels eternity in Heaven united to God and his love is insufficient without their pet does not deserve to be there.
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aaaa…no.

recreating or creating new animals is not an animal dieing and going to heaven…and then being resurrected…God can make animals all he wants.

No…It is not as supernatural end as the Church defines it…otherwise the fact that the whole of creation is groaning and waiting for the revelation of the Children of God…means that the whole of creation has a “supernatural end”…a supernatural destiny…

But it is to be said that creation (which can be said to include living creatures …not just rocks) and man DO share a destiny…(the ccc says they do) but just because they do …does not make it a “supernatural” one…

CCC:

1046 For the cosmos, Revelation affirms the profound common destiny (end!) of the material world and man:

For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the sons of God . . . in hope because the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to decay… We know that the whole creation has been groaning in travail together until now; and not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the first fruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.637

and again there will be something wonderful!
 
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