Setting Sail on a Quest(ion) about Heaven and Hell – Are There Animals in Heaven? (Part XI)

Sermon Title: Setting Sail on a Quest(ion) – Are There Animals in Heaven?

Good News Statement: God works through all of creation for us

Preached: Sunday, August 10^th, 2025 at Dogwood Prairie and Seed Chapel UMC

Pastor Daniel G. Skelton, M.Div.

 

Scripture (NRSVUE): 1 Corinthians 15:51-54 Heaven and Hell: two words that have captured the curiosity, imagination, and wonder of millions of people across several centuries. One of those words brings forth comfort and peace, an image of green pastures and still waters, and hope and eternal salvation. The other word subjugates fear, darkness, and a feeling of being at the lowest point. Today, we are given a choice. May the hearing and understanding of this scripture add a blessing to your life.

 

Isaiah 11:6-9

The wolf shall live with the lamb;
the leopard shall lie down with the kid;
the calf and the lion will feed together,
and a little child shall lead them.
⁷ The cow and the bear shall graze;
their young shall lie down together;
and the lion shall eat straw like the ox.
⁸ The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp,
and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den.
⁹ They will not hurt or destroy
on all my holy mountain,
for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord
as the waters cover the sea.

 

 

This is the Word of God for the People of God. And all God’s People said, “Amen.”

 

The following Sermon Series will be drawn from the words of Biblical Scholar, Alan W. Gomes, who explores 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell in his book 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell.

Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018.

 

 

Introduction:

In the ethereal[1] expanse of the cosmos, there exists a realm beyond mortal comprehension: it’s known as heaven. It is not a place dictated by religious dogma or mythical tales but rather a destination for all souls after their mortal journey concludes. In this celestial sanctuary, souls find themselves liberated from the constraints of physical existence: those who were tired, weak, and carrying heavy burdens have found rest (Matthew 11:28). They are met with an abundance of peace, harmony, and boundless opportunities for growth and fulfillment. Yet, amidst this infinite splendor, a conflict simmers—one not of divine decree, but of existential choice. Among the myriad of souls that populate Heaven, there exists a divergence in belief regarding its nature. Some perceive Heaven as a utopia, a paradise where individual desires reign supreme, and personal satisfaction is paramount. Others hold a different perspective. They believe that Heaven’s true essence lies in collective goodwill, in the shared bonds of love, empathy, and compassion. Is that really what Heaven is like?

For some, the opposite of this heavenly celestial sanctuary is Hell: the abode of the “unredeemed dead.”[2] In its archaic sense, the term Hell refers to the underworld, a deep pit or distant land of shadows where the dead are gathered. From the underworld its most terrible precincts sinners pay—some say eternally—the penalty for their crimes. The underworld is often imagined as a place of punishment rather than merely of darkness and decomposition because of the widespread belief that a moral universe requires judgment and retribution—crime must pay. More broadly, Hell figures in religious cosmologies as the opposite of heaven, “the nadir[3] of the cosmos,”[4] and the land where God is not. Hell itself is the preeminent symbol of evil, alienation, and despair. Is that really what Hell is like?

Heaven and Hell: two words that have captured the curiosity, imagination, and wonder of millions of people across several centuries. One of those words brings forth comfort and peace, an image of green pastures and still waters, hope and renewal, grace and eternal salvation, empathy and compassion. The other word subjugates fear, worry, devastation, darkness, despair, and a feeling of being at the lowest point—walking in the shadows of the valley of death. These two words have caught the attention of both religious and non-religious persons throughout the ages: asking what is heaven like and what is hell like? Even those who have chosen to believe in the words of Jesus Christ wonder about heaven and hell: asking what do I need to do to be in heaven and what do I need to do to avoid hell?

For the next few weeks, with the help of Alan W. Gomes, a professor of theology at Talbot School of Theology, we will be taking time to examine both Heaven and Hell from a biblical perspective. In his book, 40 Questions about Heaven and Hell, Gomes asks questions such as: “What should we conclude about those who claim to have seen heaven or hell?, What will the resurrected body be like?, What is hell like?, What is heaven like?, and How can a God of love send people to an eternal hell?” Most of us are familiar with the concepts of Heaven and Hell, but yet we still have questions. The time has come to examine a few of those questions as we explore the celestial sanctuary and dive into the abode of the unredeemed.

 

Body:

The year was 2002. My family and several of my relatives were gathered together in the bleachers at the High School in Geneseo, Illinois, waiting to her my sister’s name called over the speakers. You see, 2002 was the year that my sister, Karin Elizabeth, graduated from High School. Approximately 300 students sat in metal chairs in the middle of the football field on a hot May day. As a six year old, that was the longest day of my life! Let me tell you, when I heard my sister’s name loud and clear through the speakers, I was ready to high-tail it out of there.

It was either the day of her graduation or a few days after that we had a party for her. I don’t remember much about the party: I was on summer vacation; I didn’t have to remember anything. However, I do remember one thing, one specific gift that she received from a friend. The gift she received was not something one could wear, it wasn’t something that could be kept in a drawer, hung on a wall, or left dangling from the rearview mirror of the car, and it certainly wasn’t something that could be forgotten. My sister received a present that laughed and cooed and bowed and hopped and flew. You see, when my sister graduated from High School, she received, from a magician friend, a white dove. Yes, my sister received a bird for her graduation gift. She named him Charlie.

Charlie lived in the living room of my parent’s home over the summer. Things were great! My sister would let him fly around the house, he would land on our shoulders and head, coo all night long, and once in a while he sat outside in his cage. Things were great! Then my sister had to move to go to college and pets weren’t allowed in the dorm rooms. “What do we do with Charlie now?”, was the question being asked by my parents. Being seven at the time, I told my parents I would take care of him. Eventually, he officially became mine. And now, twenty three years later, he is still alive and cooing and laughing.

However, he has had some bumps along the way. He only has one leg. My parents’ dog, Jackson, typically barks at him, and now two mischievous cats have found it entertaining to climb his cage and go after his tale-fathers. But even through all this, Charlie is still blessing my life with his presence!

Charlie isn’t the only pet that I love dearly. My parents’ dog, Jackson, who is 15 years old, has become my “puppy”—always wagging his tail when he sees me and greeting me when I go home for a visit, always wanting a baby marshmallow for a treat. He’s been on several car rides: going to Cedar Rapids, Iowa and Raleigh, North Caroline and Brookings, South Dakota and now to Oblong, Illinois. My mom sends me pictures of him from time to time. Now, Emily and I have two cats, Samson and Delilah, who I love dearly although they scratch me, bite me, jump on my back, get into cabinets, attack my feet while I sleep, make tiny tears in my clothing, and even wake us up before the sunrises. Charlie, Jackson, Samson, and Delilah, although are animals, are part of the family.

Do you have any pets in your life? Did you have a favorite pet while growing up? What was something your pet does or did that always brings a smile to your face? Do you or did you see your pets as part of the family? Today, we look at another question regarding heaven. Our question today doesn’t deal with what we will look like, how old we are going to be, what heaven looks like, or even what we need to do to get to heaven. Our question today is, “Are there animals in heaven?”

This is a fascinating question to consider, since Americans are crazy about their pets. Nearly two-thirds of all homes in the U.S. have pets, and most of these have more than one. More than half of U.S. households have a dog, and more than forty percent have a cat. The total number of pets, including also reptiles and fish, is just shy of 400 million.[5] Additionally, the economics of pet ownership testifies to this love affair. In 2014, according to Alan Gomes, “Americans lavished $58 billion on their beloved animals. Twenty-two billion dollars of this went to food and $15 billion to the vet, with the remainder spent on a variety of pet-related items.[6] If having pets is so prominent in the U.S., what do you think? Are there animals in heaven?

 

Movement One: What Scripture Says…?

Let’s begin to answer this question by looking at a few scripture passages that mention animals. For starters, the Bible mentions approximately 81 different kind of animals: from addax (a light colored antelope) to cow, to donkey, to dove, to eagle, to fish, to gnat, to horse, to lamb, to locust, to pig, to rooster, to snail, to serpent, to  sparrow, to vulture, to wolf, and to worm. The Bible is not shy when it comes to mentioning animals and using animals as metaphors to help us understand our faith.

The prophet Isaiah provides us with two passages that mentions animals: Isaiah 11:6-9 and Isaiah 65:25. Isaiah 65:25 says, “The wolf and the lamb shall feed together; the lion shall eat straw like the ox, but the serpent—its food shall be dust! They shall not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, says the Lord.” Possibly in heaven, animals—often enemies of each other—will live in peace and harmony. Isaiah 11:6-9 asserts, “The wolf shall live with the lamb; the leopard shall lie down with the kid; the calf and the lion will feed together, and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play over the hole of the asp, and the weaned child shall put its hand on the adder’s den. They will not hurt or destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea.” In these verses, we see a more expansive statement of the ideas mentioned in the previous verse, and also mentioning the friendly relations that these predatory animals will have even with small human children. In heaven, a place with no suffering, pain, tears, or hatred, animals of all kinds may be living together in perfect peace, lying in those green pastures and drinking for the stream of living water that David talks about in Psalm 23. Animals were mentioned before Isaiah.

Let’s look back on what was happening before everything changed. In Genesis 3, we see a conversation between the serpent and the woman, which ultimately ends with sin entering the world. We see talking animals, and if we look back a little further, we see that it wasn’t just the serpent who was in the garden—lots of other animals were, too! Genesis 2:19-20 asserts, “Now the Lord God has formed out of the ground all the wild animals and all the birds in the sky. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name. So the man gave names to all the livestock, the birds in the sky and all the wild animals” (NIV). Before the fall—when everything was right and exactly as God had created it—there were animals! So if animals existed in God’s perfect creation, why wouldn’t they exist yet again in heaven, God’s perfect paradise?

Fast-forwarding to the “end times,” we see animals around the throne of heaven. But first, we get a glimpse of the yet-to-come through a moment with the Prophet Elisha and his servant. In 2 Kings 6:17, the Prophet Elisha prays for his servant’s eyes to be opened, so he can see the heavenly army that is protecting them from the Syrian forces surrounding the city of Dothan: “Then Elisha prayed, ‘O Lord, please open his eyes that he may see.’ So the Lord opened the eyes of the servant, and he saw; the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.” This same sentiment is echoed in the Book of Revelation. While on the Island of Patmos, John sees “Around the throne, and on each side of the throne, are four living creatures, full of eyes in front and back: the first living creature like a lion, the second living creature like an ox, the third living creature with a face like a human, and the fourth living creature like a flying eagle. And the four living creatures, each of them with six wings, are full of eyes all around and inside” (Revelation 4:6-8). Around the throne of God, in heaven, there appears to be creatures resembling lions, ox, and eagles.

Then, while still being revealed scenes of heaven, John reports, “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses” (Revelation 19:11-14). Wait a minute… Did John just see people in heaven on white horses? Did John just report that the “Faithful and True” one was also riding a white horse? If John is seeing people riding horses coming from heaven, then are there animals in heaven?

To be honest, if animals weren’t viewed as important to God, then why is it that we are told that Jesus chooses to ride a humble donkey into Jerusalem, why is it that God spoke through a donkey to save Balaam’s life (Numbers 22), why is it that the birth narrative of Jesus has Mary riding on a donkey, why is it that in most of our manger scenes animals are next to Jesus, why is it, besides there being no room in the Inn, that Jesus is born in a stable—a place known for housing animals—and why is it that during the Old Testament times animals were sacrificed for the forgiveness of sins? Animals are part of God’s creation just as much as we part of the same creation. Therefore, why wouldn’t there be animals in heaven?

Scripture seems to imply that there may be animals in heaven, but that doesn’t mean people believe that these animals are physical animals.

 

Movement Two: Arguments Against and For Animals in Heaven…

Although scripture provides some strong evidence regarding the possibility of animals in heaven, some have pushed against it. Two popular arguments are “Desire/Wish Fulfillment” and “Animals Don’t Have Souls.”

First, and perhaps the most common argument is the fact that people simply desire animals to be in heaven because animals bring them joy on earth. If people treasure their pet on earth—meaning their pet has a special place in their heart—then what they treasure is where their heart is (Matthew 6:21). However, aren’t we told in the Gospel of Matthew to “not store up for ourselves treasures on earth, where moths and vermin destroy, and where thieves break in and steal” (Matthew 6:19)? We aren’t supposed to treasure the material things in life. If heaven is the place where our treasures truly lies and where happiness and joy reside, then why is it necessary to have animals in heaven. The joy they bring us on this earth does not compare to the joy we will receive in heaven. This argument suggests that people only want animals in heaven to fulfill some sort of happiness in the afterlife. They believe that pure happiness can’t be experienced in heaven unless they are accompanied by their pets. They believe that the joy they received on earth is the same joy they will have in heaven. They believe in filling heaven with their desires and wishes rather than what God promises them. Therefore, having animals in heaven removes the ability to experience pure joy.

The second argument suggests that animals aren’t in heaven because they don’t have “souls.” For those who favor this argument lean on the following scriptures. Genesis 1:26 suggests that God created man alone, and not animals, in his own image: “Then God said, ‘Let us make humans in our image, according to our likeness, and let them have dominion over the fish of the sea and over the birds of the air and over the cattle and over all the wild animals of the earth and over every creeping thing that creeps upon the earth.’” God made humans in his image and then gave them dominion, charge, over all the animals. In the next chapter of Genesis, we hear these words, “Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being” (Genesis 2:7). According to this verse, it is man alone into whom God directly breathed His own spirit. God breathed—ruach—His spirit into humanity: he did not breathe his spirit into the animals. Old Testament scholar E. W. Hengstenberg observed, “According to Genesis 2:7, two elements are united in man, an earthly and divine, which latter no other creature shares with him.”[7] Humanity embraces a divine nature but animals do not. And that divine nature comes from receiving the breath of God during creation.[8]

Nevertheless, the argument that animals will not be in heaven because they aren’t given the spirit of God, they don’t have souls or as Jude 10 notes that animals are irrational—therefore, not able to love, think, feel, or experience life like humans—is what many believe; and therefore end up somewhere else.

To counter these arguments, scholars have offered two popular counter points: God shows redemption for the animals and God cares for the animals.

First, God shows redemption to the animals. The Bible speaks much of the disorder that sin has introduced into our world and the way in which God plans to remedy it. Paul described this vividly in Romans 8:19-22, “For the creation waits with eager longing for the revealing of the children of God, for the creation was subjected to futility, not of its own will, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be set free from its enslavement to decay and will obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning together as it suffers together the pains of labor…” From this passage, it is clear that humankind is not alone in suffering the ravages of sin. Gomes highlights, “When Adam introduced sin and death into the world (Romans 5:12) he wreaked havoc on the entire created order. This includes the animal kingdom, which became subject to death and decay, as well as the inanimate creation, which storms, floods, dissolution, and corruption mar at every turn.

Paul highlights this theme again in Colossians 1:20: God through Christ will “reconcile to himself all things, whether on earth or in heaven…” Biblical commentator Robert Wall makes the argument that “God’s reconciliation [is] of all things…encompassing the nonhuman and inanimate worlds.”[10] John Wesley, the founding father of the movement known as Methodism, vigorously argues that “God redeems the entire created order”[11], citing Revelation 21:5, “Behold, I am making all things new.” The point of this argument for animals in heaven is to say that God redeems “all of creation” giving every breathing and non-breathing entity of creation a chance to be saved, a chance to be in heaven, a chance to be with him, a chance to bring someone joy in heaven.

Second, God cares for the animals. A number of texts show God’s providential care for animals. In the Genesis creation account, God creates animals on the fifth and sixth days of creation. On the fifth day, God creates sea creatures and birds, instructing them to be fruitful and multiply. On the sixth day, God creates land animals, including livestock, creatures that crawl, and wild animals. The text emphasizes that God created “every living creature” according to its kind and said that it is good (Genesis 1:25-31). Psalm 145:9 shares, “The Lord is good to all, and his compassion is over all the he has made.” Psalm 36:6 shares, “Your righteousness is like the mighty mountains; your judgments are like the great deep; you save humans and animals alike, O Lord.” God saw humans as being good; God saw animals as being good; and if God created both humans and animals and saw them as being good, then why wouldn’t He want to save them? He saves them because He cares.

Some of you may be asking, “Where in scripture does God save the animals?” My response is, “I’ll show you a passage in which God saves both humans and animals a like.” Noah’s flood is a clear example of this. God preserved at least some animals from destruction by placing two of each type in the ark (Genesis 6:19-21). In Genesis 8:1, the text tells us that God not only “remembered Noah” but also “all the beasts and all the livestock that were with him in the ark.” After the flood, God vowed never again to destroy “every living creature” off the face of the earth (Genesis 8:21). It is also significant that in Genesis 9:9-17, God makes multiple and explicit references to animals being included in His covenant with Noah: The LORD told Noah, “I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you ^and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. “

Why wouldn’t God care for something that He created? Why wouldn’t God care for what He called “good”? Why wouldn’t God save that which He cares for? Do you see where this argument is leading? This argument for animals in heaven is based on the firm foundation that what God creates, He cares for; and what He cares for, He saves; and what He saves, He welcomes into heaven. Just think about you. God created you—the good and the bad, the faithful and faithless moments, the messages and the mistakes, the triumphs and the trials, the ups and downs, the mountains and the valleys, and everything in between. Even when we are not perfect, even when we sin, we are still creations of God—made in His image—who have the chance to be saved because God cares. So why can’t animals experience the same thing? “You save humans and animals alike, O Lord.”

 

Movement Three: What does all this mean of us today…

Whether you believe that animals are not in heaven or you believe that there are animals in heaven, we need to ask ourselves this question, “What does this mean for us today? Why should we be concerned with whether or not there are animals in heaven?” Because animals have a tendency to trust their master, even in fearful times. Animals have a way of providing us love and support when no one else can, like God does. Animals have an instinct to save us when we can’t save ourselves, like God does. Animals have the ability to search for us and find us when we are lost, like God does. Animals have courage to go above and beyond for us, like God does. And animals have dedication to help us live life with joy, like God does. I invite you to hear this story shared by Adam Hamilton.

It took place around the turn of the century, between the 19^th and 20^th centuries. There was a doctor who went out and made house calls. He was driving a horse drawn carriage. He always took his trusty dog with him, as his friend and as his protector. And so they would go out and they’d make house calls. While he was going, his last house call of the day was at a home where a man was dying. He went to the door, knocked on the door, tied up his horses, left his carriage there, and brought the dog to the front door with him. He didn’t take his dog inside the home with him.

The doctor went inside and checked on this dying man: cared for him, did everything he could to bring comfort to him. And before he left, sitting on the chair next to the bed, the man said to his doctor, “Doc, I’m a little afraid. What’s on the other side? I’m just a little scared. What’s it like, Doc?”

And just at the moment, this doctor’s dog begins to whimper at the door and scratch at the door. And the doctor turned to the man lying in the bed and he said, “You hear that sound? That’s my dog. My dog’s never been inside your house before. He doesn’t know all the things that are on the other side of the door. Here’s the only thing that he knows: he knows that his master is on the other side of the door. And if my master is in there, it must be okay.” The Doctor said, “That’s how I look at heaven. My master’s there. And if my master’s there, I know it’s got to be okay.” It’s no wonder God spelled backwards is dog.

Church, friends, while we may not know whether there will be animals in heaven, we do know that we will be supremely happy there because our Master will be there, and if our Master is there, then it must be okay. God will provide us with whatever we need to make sure this is so. So, what does this all mean to us? It means that God is with us, cares for us, and saves us because we are His creation.

He will remind us, on a daily basis that He is with us: wherever we go, He is there; where we walk, He is there; whether we travel far or close, He is there; and whether we are on the right path or have gotten lost, He is there. He is there on the other side of the door. God will not only remind us that He is with us, but He will remind us that He cares for us: He is our shelter in a time of storm; He is the rock that protects us; He is the light in the darkness; He is the rope ready to pull us out of the valley; He is the hand reaching down below the surface of the water to pull us back to safety; He is the vine and we are the branches; and He will restore us, strengthen us, and heal us. God will do all these things and so much more, because He cares for us. God not only cares for us, but he saves us: God sent his one and only Son to this earth to die on the cross for our sins, so that we could be set free. His salvation is what draws us to the Master.

The animals, which God created, whether in heaven or not, teach us a valuable lesson. They teach us to remain true and trusting to our Master, Jesus Christ, and that God will provide for us the joy we need to embrace the life we have been given. Are you willing to scratch at the door of your Master so that he can change your life?

If we need animals in heaven to be completely happy, then we can be sure that they will be there. But the reverse is also true: if no animals will be there, it will not bother us one bit when the time comes. Probably the best thing one can do is to not be anxious about this question but rest in knowing that we shall be satisfied, however it turns out.

 

Conclusion…

To bring this message to a close, are there animals in the heaven? There are a few verses in scripture that suggest that there may be animals in heaven and that animals of different backgrounds will be at peace with one another and that Jesus is found on the back of a white horse. Some arguments suggest that animals are in heaven because God cares for “all of His creation” and offers redemption to “all of His creation” including both humans and animals a like. Others suggest that animals will not be in heaven because they don’t have souls—the breath of God in them—and they are not able to think or behave like humans. And since there is so much joy in heaven, the only joy animals can offer people is on earth.

Thinking about my bird Charlie, my parents’ dog Jackson, and my two cats—Samson and Delilah—I hope to see them in heaven. I hope they are there experiencing the joy that we get to experience. I hope they are there flying and running around. I hope while in heaven they realize how much they were cared for, how much they were loved, and how much joy they brought to my life—besides the pecks, bites, and scratches. I hope that when they get to heaven, they get to see their Master—the one who created them for a purpose, the one who cared for them, the one who saved them, and the one who knew I needed them in my life.

For those that have pets or just simply love animals, would you like to see them in heaven? While on this earth, we may never really know if there are animals in heaven. But once we get there, we will know for sure. So, for the time being, let your pets and God’s other created animals remind you that every time they scratch at the door of their master, you need to scratch on the door of your Master, the one who He cares for you, loves you, and saves you each day. In the words of Wendy Fransisco, “I look up and see my God. I look down and see my Dog. And in my human frailty, I can’t match their love for me.”

Let It Be So…

 

Closing Prayer:

Let us Pray… Dear God, through the animals you have created, we are reminded of how much you care for us, how much you love us, and how every day, as we scratch at your door, you ready to welcome us in and offer us salvation. May we look upon the pets in our life as a reminder of how you provide us with what we need in life to experience joy. In your name we pray, Amen.

 

Benediction:

Are there animals in heaven? Will your pets be waiting for you in heaven? I don’t know. But what I do know, is that one day you will find out. For those that have pets, let them know how much you love them. For those don’t have pets, thank God for the animals that you see out your window as those animals are also a source of joy in your life. May the Lord make His face shine upon you, and be gracious to you; and May the Lord turn his face toward you and give you peace (Numbers 6:24-26). In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit go forth living as if heaven is in your heart today. And all God’s people said, Amen. Amen. Amen.

 

 

[1] Ethereal: extremely delicate and light in a way that seems too perfect for this world.

[2] Carol Zaleski, “Hell,” Britannica Online, updated 16 May 2025 and accessed 28 May 2025: https://www.britannica.com/topic/hell/Greece-and-Rome

[3] Nadir: the lowest point in the fortunes of a person or organization

[4] Carol Zaleski, “Hell,” Britannica Online, updated 16 May 2025 and accessed 28 May 2025: https://www.britannica.com/topic/hell/Greece-and-Rome

[5] Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018, pg. 255.

[6] Ibid., pg. 255.

[7] Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018, pg. 260.

[8] This is probably why the author of Ecclesiastes shares, “Who knows whether the spirit of man goes upward and the spirit of the beast goes downward into the earth?” (Ecclesiastes 3:21). Now when it comes to this specific verse, there has been quite the controversy and speculation. On the one hand, some scholars interpret this text to mean that the ‘beast’ is a reference to animals in general suggesting that humans have a better chance ascending into heaven than animals who will descend into the “lower parts of the earth” (Ephesians 4:9). On the other hand, some scholars have interpreted this text to have a more open ended perspective suggesting that no one on earth really knows where the spirit of a human or animal will end up upon their death.

[9] Alan W. Gomes (edited by Benjamin L. Merkle), 40 Questions About Heaven and Hell, Grand Rapids, Michigan: Kregel Publications, 2018, pg. 268.

[10] Ibid., pg. 269

[11] Ibid., pg. 269.