THE NEW JERUSALEM #7 | Will there be animals in the era of the New Jerusalem?

Pastor Christopher Choo

Lesson 3262

THE NEW JERUSALEM #7

Will there be animals in the era of the New Jerusalem?

In short, are there animals in heaven?

This question is neither simplistic nor foolish. 

God entrusted animals to us and our relationships with them are a significant part of our lives.

1. During the Millennial reign of Christ for a thousand years

The millennial kingdom will bring about harmony in all of creation including animal life. 

Isaiah 11:6-7 is found this wonderful graphic prophecy: " And the wolf will dwell with the lamb, and the leopard will lie down with the young goat, and the calf with the young lion and the fatling together; and a little boy will lead them. Also, the cow and the bear will graze; their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox".

All animals will live in harmony. Their predatory instincts and carnivorous appetites will cease.

2. After the Millennial - in the blessed eternal state of the New Jerusalem

The Bible is less clear about whether there will be animals in heaven.

During the Millennium there was a partial lifting of the curse and effects of sin.  There will still be death but the complete effects of the fall will not be lifted until the creation of the New Heaven and New Earth in the eternal state AFTER the Millennium ( Rev.22:3 ). 

Abba Father, in Revelation 21:5, Christ will proclaim from His throne in the New Heaven,  "Behold, I am making all things new."

Does this mean that the animal kingdom will likewise be transformed?

Some theologians say that there is no reason to exclude the animal kingdom if we incorporate other passages such as Romans 8:21-23.

21: that the creation itself will be set free from its bondage to corruption and obtain the freedom of the glory of the children of God. 

22: For we know that the whole creation has been groaning together in the pains of childbirth until now. 

23: And not only the creation, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies.

The final answer - as always - remains with You. We can only make logical deductions based on Your Word.