Part Seven: WHAT DOES RANDY ALCORN HAVE TO SAY ABOUT ANIMALS IN HEAVEN?

This popular writer, conference speaker, and author of the highly acclaimed book Heaven clearly expects animals to be resurrected. In his book he writes:

Why [do] so many people find such companionship, solace, and joy in their pets?. . . I believe it’s because of how God has made animals, and us. . . . It would be simple for him to re-create a pet in Heaven if he wants to. He’s the giver of all good gifts, not the taker of them. If it would please us to have a pet restored to the New Earth, that may be sufficient reason” (emphasis included). . . .

We know animals will be on the New Earth, which is a redeemed and renewed old Earth, in which animals had a prominent role. People will be resurrected to inhabit this world. As we saw, Romans 8:21-23 assumes animals as part of a suffering creation eagerly awaiting deliverance through humanity’s resurrection. This seems to require that some animals who lived, suffered, and died on the old Earth must be made whole on the New Earth. Wouldn’t some of those likely be our pets? (385-386)

I look closely at the Romans 8:21-23 in my book, Will Dogs Chase Cats in Heaven?, and quote other theologians, including John Calvin, who used this passage to confirm animal resurrection. In the Romans passage, the Apostle Paul clearly tells us that all creation (which, of course, includes animals) is waiting “eagerly” for its redemption along with saved humanity.

But why would animals be waiting eagerly for their redemption if they were not going to join God’s people in Heaven? The obvious and biblical answer is, they will join God’s people in Heaven! ©