The Paranormal Christian – Biblical Truth Regarding Reincarnation

Sorry about the replay of an old blog – but things have been busy here between the ministry, my regular job, etc.  It somewhat relates to the topic for tomorrow night’s radio show at The Paranormal Christian.  Rev. Mark Hunnemann and I will be tackling Near Death Experiences and whether these things are Biblical or Demonic.  A topic like that I can’t sum up in a short blog article either.

Join us tomorrow night, Saturday February 25th, at 7 PM EST.  You can find the link to it at http://www.theparanormalchristian.com

Please enjoy this repeat article – Biblical Truth Regarding Reincarnation

The latest Pew Forum survey of religious beliefs puts the overall percentage of Americans who believe in reincarnation at 24% (men 21%, women 28%).  Strangely enough, Blacks (34%) are almost twice as likely to believe in reincarnation as Whites (21%), with Hispanics in the middle (29%).

Oddly enough, a full 11% of self-identified Evangelical Christians believe in reincarnation, although only 5% of those who attend church weekly.  Black Christians (29%) believe in reincarnation only slightly more than White Catholics (25%). Even among weekly attendees, 21% of White Catholics believe in reincarnation.

Such high percentages stand as a testimony to the poor job of religious education being performed in the churches today. The spread of these beliefs is one of the most under-reported and unnoticed religious phenomenon of the last 100 years, representing a sea change of religious worldviews.

The word "reincarnation" literally means to "come again in the flesh." The process of reincarnation - continual rebirths in human bodies - allegedly continues until the soul has reached a state of perfection and merges back with its source.  One's lot in life, according to those who believe in reincarnation, is based on the law of karma. This law says that if bad things happen in one's life, this is an outworking of bad karma. If good things happen in one's life, this is an outworking of good karma.

"Karma" refers to the "debt" a soul accumulates because of good or bad actions committed during one's life (or past lives). If one accumulates good karma by performing good actions, he or she will be reincarnated in a desirable state. If one accumulates bad karma, he or she will be reincarnated in a less desirable state.

Some people twist the Scriptures and say that Jesus Himself taught reincarnation or "cyclical rebirth." In Matthew 11:14, for example, Jesus said, "And if you are willing to accept it, [John the Baptist] is the Elijah who was to come." Likewise, in John 3:3 Jesus said, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again."

But these passages, rightly interpreted, do not support reincarnation. Matthew 11:14 does not really teach that John the Baptist was a reincarnation of Elijah. Luke 1:17, an important cross reference, tells us that the ministry of John the Baptist was carried out "in the spirit and power of Elijah." Moreover, reincarnationists conveniently forget that John the Baptist, when asked if he was Elijah, flatly answered, "No!" (John 1:21).

Regarding Jesus' words about being "born again" in John 3:3, the context clearly shows that Jesus was referring to a spiritual rebirth or regeneration. In fact, the phrase born again carries the idea of "born from above," and can even be translated that way. Jesus clarified His meaning by affirming that "flesh gives birth to flesh, but the Spirit gives birth to spirit" (v. 6).

There are other Scriptures that clearly debunk the notion of reincarnation. Hebrews 9:27 tells us that "man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment...." Each human being lives once as a mortal on earth, dies once, and then faces judgment. He does not have a second chance by reincarnating into another body. Second Corinthians 5:8 indicates that at death the Christian immediately goes into the presence of the Lord, not into another body. Luke 16:19-31 indicates that unbelievers at death go to a place of suffering, not into another body.

We must also remember that Jesus taught that people decide their eternal destiny in a single lifetime (Matthew 25:46). This is precisely why the apostle Paul emphasized that "now is the day of salvation" (2 Corinthians 6:2).

Further, Jesus taught the concept of resurrection, not reincarnation. In fact, He predicted His own resurrection early in His public ministry (John 2:19). And after Jesus resurrected from the dead, He appeared to some disciples and said, "Look at my hands and my feet. It is I myself! Touch me and see; a ghost does not have flesh and bones, as you see I have" (Luke 24:39). Jesus resurrected in the same body that went into the tomb. His body even retained the scars and wounds in His hands, feet, and side from the crucifixion (John 20:28).

In addition to biblically refuting reincarnation, we must also point to some of the practical problems involved in the theory of reincarnation. For example, we must ask, Why does one get punished for something he or she cannot remember having done in a previous life? Moreover, if the purpose of karma is to rid humanity of its selfish desires, then why has there not been a noticeable improvement in human nature after all the millennia of reincarnations on earth?

What about those who ‘remember’ their past lives so vividly? I cannot speak against their experiences. All I can tell you is either they’re being deceived by a demon or is deceiving the gullible public. Even if they indeed remember their past lives, why can’t they have an empirical evidence to prove that they indeed lived a previous lives. Why can’t they tell us and, describe for us how it is to live as an insect or animal. Or why not bring something from the so-called, past life, let say, a necklace, clothes, perhaps a birth certificate that will proved and convince the skeptics?

India, the cradle of reincarnation, still one of the world’s woeful nations.  According to a friend of mine (who loves to travel to India) who has been to India several times, told me that countless of city streets are awash with filth. Starving beggars were everywhere. Miseries abound to those who don’t have a meal in their stomach. The only fortunate were the rats, and cows who in turn ate their fill. The question that comes to my mind is, after thousands of years of reincarnation, isn’t it only fair to say that India would be the exception and a shining example of human progress and spiritual transformation?

Isn’t the theory of Karmic transmigration a cop-out from human responsibility? For instance, I always help beggars. Sometimes I offer them a meal if I get the chance. But, helping a beggar in India is futile since he is working off his Bad Karma!

Did you know that before Christian missionaries arrived in India there were no charitable institutions and hospitals? Institutions for helping the needy is considered a stumbling block for the Karmic Transmigration. The reincarnation edifice offers no hope, nor does it have any relevance in answering suffering and human depravity. In fact devotees are enslaved into believing life-death-life that doesn’t make any sense at all.

Finally, if reincarnation and the law of karma are so beneficial on a practical level, then how do they explain the immense and ever-worsening social and economic problems - including widespread poverty, starvation, disease, and horrible suffering in India, where reincarnation has been systematically taught throughout its history?

Primer

By Reap Paden

Priming is in essence a form of cheating or giving hints. It is done in many different aspects of our lives but today lets concentrate on how it relates to the paranormal and hopefully help some people to understand what they see, hear or read is not always what they should believe.

There is one form of priming that has always made me extremely uncomfortable, it involves EVP. When someone is sharing an EVP and tells you what you are going to hear or even suggests "this is very scary" they have negated any unbiased opinion of that EVP. It has been tainted and once that occurs people can not just become unaffected by the primer. It is sort of like in front of a jury when a lawyer objects. The jury can be told to disregard whatever has been presented but the fact is they have been primed and the deed is done.

The telephone that talks to the dead is another good example of 'self-priming' when you ask a question you are going to have the answer in your mind, The brain, wanting to create patterns from random noise will have a natural tendency to create the pattern you expect to hear.  In the paranormal there is a incredible amount of priming going on. To be honest I do not know how to get around it in all cases but if people are aware of it going on it will at least help.

If you are going to investigate anything, including paranormal occurrences then you must factor in priming. I think that in the case of hauntings and trying to find out if there is any actual activity going on ignorance is needed to help find truth.  Don't worry being ignorant is not bad, we all are ignorant about some things. It is those who keep their ignorance and allow it to grow who become stupid.

Another form of priming is environmental priming. If a place seems spooky to some one then naturally they are going to expect strange things to occur. Now don't go blindfolding all your team members but when you are studying the results of an investigation keep in mind that some people's accounts of events may be affected by this.

If you think you have an EVP that says something, play it for people by all means but please do not prime them in any way. Just ask them to listen. Then record what they say they heard, play it for several people and record the responses. This won't be undeniable proof of course but I will bet the range of answers you get will cause you to think twice when you assume what you hear is what everyone else will hear.

Now you have been primed to do things using common sense..........

Issue 62 – The Day the Exorcism Sideshow Came to Town, Part 1 (Reporter X)

By Kirby Robinson

UPCOMING RADIO SHOWS

Friday, February 24th at 7 PM [PST]
USA Paranormal Radio with Debbie Perkins
http://www.blogtalkradio.com/night-visions

Sunday, February 26th at 8 PM [EST]
Beyond the Edge Radio with Eric Altman
http://www.beyondtheedgeradio.com/

DISCLAIMER

The views and opinions expressed by guest bloggers and special reporters aren't necessarily those of the blog owners. As for other guest bloggers, reporters or special contributors, we ask that they stick with the facts when reporting a story.

THE EYE ON THE PARANORMAL IS GROWING!

If you write about the paranormal, are reliable, and want to join this group, we still have openings. Contact us at: freeallspirits@live.com

WANT THE TRUTH?

"Paranormal State Exposed" is on Amazon, B&N Nook and Smashwords.

Follow us on Twitter: https://twitter.com/#!/eyeonparanormal

THE REPORTER X THEME

THE DAY THE EXORCISM SIDESHOW CAME TO TOWN

By REPORTER X

When I was a youth, I can recall the excitement I felt when the news broke that a traveling circus or the local fair time was approaching. Anticipation began to grow. Time passed slowly until the day the circus came to town or the fair officially opened.

Now it seems that that the old time circus has been replaced by people who claim they chase demons. And they bring along their own sideshow of traveling clowns/exorcism troupe. It doesn't matter if one is needed, as this sideshow is happy to travel and perform to the paying public. When they've finished the performance they hurry on down the road to get to the next town and the next headline. This is done in order to serve their egos and the collective egos of the group. This is done in order to get into those paranormal conferences and get paid to make speeches. This is done to write that book or get a TV or film deal.

This madness must stop! I wish I was a fiery speaker but I am not. I wish I was a master word smith but I have more in common with the name of Smith. But try I will!

Demons, exorcisms and deliverance, evil spirits, curses and generational curses are not matters of the paranormal. Such things are theological. Such solutions to these issues are found in faith not paranormal. To offer anyone help it must come from a person who is called to do so by God. Preferably a person who has set aside things of man and embraced those things that are of God. Only through God's grace and wisdom can they be dealt with.

These matters are not for radio or TV or magazine presentation. For the information is vast and explanations are often not simple.

They aren't solved in visits of a few hours or email exchanges or filling a home full of equipment for a few days. The dark forces behind these things are far too cunning.

What has happened to turning to the churches and religious groups? Why have people come to the paranormal to address theological problems? From a traditional Christian view we receive caution after caution concerning diving too deeply into paranormal subjects.

Why do so called demonologists use such catchy phrases such as Demon Doctors, Demon Stalkers or Demon Chasers? Do we find such titles in the bible or for our Christian organizations (Catholic or Protestant)? Did we ever see Christ in a T-shirt and hat that read: GME (GOD'S MASTER EXORCIST)? Or what about the disciples sent out to perform the Great Commission; did their hats read CCO (Christ's Chosen Ones)?

To stand even further out we have so called demonologist groups who claim they do not have to come to your home. You don't have to go to them. You don't even need to go to church. These so called demonologist groups do a remote exorcism/deliverance. And you can just carry around your phone or laptop and they can recite verses and prayers. They can even send you an email and when you open it the demon is gone!

Now they fail to address what comes after the exorcism/deliverance. Do they stop and look for reasons why their client even has demons in the first place?

Some even forget to mention God! Or they go so far to say if you say God is your sole source of power to cast out demons you're out of tune with the times. They go so far as to call you a Christian zealot

Did you ever read of Christ teaching these techniques or find any of these used by the church?

Speaking of the church, why do non-Catholics suddenly feel they have to use the Catholic rituals to remove demons? Is it because so many of the movies and TV shows do this? So you want to imitate them because you don't know any better?

How did the church ever deal with such matters without the paranormal world?

Look at the great master exorcist Himself: Jesus Christ. Did his students have jobs? A family? A social life? Were they out sinning on Tuesday then hit the deliverance circuit the next day? You're not a demonologist on the weekend then head out to a sinning life over the week. It is a 24 hour a day life. It is and will always be a calling from God. And if you took the call from anyone other than God then you're fooling yourself and harming others.

 COMING SOON 

THE DAY THE EXORCISM SIDESHOW CAME TO TOWN, Part 2.

A CALL TO ACTION! If you have a website, forum or blog you can set up an Amazon Associates Affiliate Program link and sell the Kindle version of PARANORMAL STATE EXPOSED and PARANORMAL TEACHINGS: THE BEST OF SHEDDING SOME LIGHT and earn money. You can also sell other books and products that Amazon offers. Here's the link: https://affiliate-program.amazon.com/

Practical Steps Towards Protection of the Environment

By The Dalai Lama

These days the environment- the source of life for all beings in the world including Tibet, the Land of Snows- is undergoing extensive degeneration. At this time it is extremely important that every human being, according to his or her ability, consistently puts effort into ensuring the conservation and protection of this planet's environment and its inhabitants.

The benefits of an "undefiled environment" are many; for instance, a healthy tree purifies the air and supplies oxygen for living beings to breathe. It harmonizes the elements and increases life expectancy. Its shade provides a refreshing place to rest. It brings rain at the right time. It nourishes crops and livestock, and balances the temperature. It contributes to an attractive landscape and continually replenishes its surroundings. It brings about natural development in the spheres of education, economics and so forth.

The drawbacks of a polluted environment include a decline in the pure, cool qualities of the oceans and lakes, so that the creatures dwelling in those places are disturbed. The loss of vegetation and forests causes degeneration in the earth's nourishment.

Rain does not fall when it is needed. Unprecedented fierce storms rage, and so on. So there are many disadvantages.

From the Dharma point of view our teacher, the king of Shakya, was also born at the foot of a tree. He attained enlightenment under a tree, and finally passed away under a tree. Particularly in the Vinaya of the holy Dharma, fully ordained monks are taught how to nurture trees and so on. From that we can understand that planting and nurturing trees are virtuous acts. Moreover, the wisdom deities of the non-mundane worlds, as well as various local devas, nagas and spirits, inhabit trees. That also leads us to understand that trees are by nature extremely important.

It is generally beneficial to plant various types of trees, as mentioned above. In particular, fruit trees provide a living and nourishment predominantly for humans, as well as benefit to many other sentient creatures. They help to improve health and increase appetite, and so forth. So it certainly is important to plant trees.

Likewise, planting flowers also is a pure virtuous act. For example, when making a mandala offering we pray that the ground may be covered with incense and strewn with flowers. Flowers assist us in accumulating merit and purifying obscurations, and also is an indispensable offering item everywhere in performing religious activities, such as the visualization of meditational deities. Moreover, if there are colorful flowers and then you offer them through visualization to the Triple Gem, the benefit of a swift accumulation of merit occurs. What is more, when people who are experiencing mess and an imbalanced mind stroll for a while in a garden, their minds are benefited by becoming refreshed and filled with pleasure.

Therefore, the whole of society needs to take an interest in planting various kinds of trees and flowers around monasteries, schools, offices, hospitals, factories, restaurants, hotels and residences, on both sides of thoroughfares. In order to protect the growth of whatever has been planted in the best way, people should advise their children not to harm them. This definitely is a beneficial service to oneself and others and, in fact, to all living beings.

In Tibet, previously there was a good tradition of instituting laws to safeguard hills and valleys for unprotected and unsupported wild animals and birds and for the protection of various defenseless creatures. We should maintain the continuity of this tradition. At the present time, a few thoughtless people hunt wild animals and catch fish and seals, through their craving for money and material goods. It is noble work for self and others, and for present and future lives, to stop all of this from happening.

Similarly, it is inappropriate randomly to discard fruit-peel, paper, plastic bottles, old cloths, food leftovers and other kinds of garbage. Nor should people urinate and defecate everywhere. Such things spoil the beauty of the landscape and are a hazard to health and hygiene. There are some people, especially, who tie their worn cloths and fallen hair to the branches of trees. This looks extremely unattractive, so from now on this habit should be abandoned.

In short, this is a request that, through understanding the interdependent nature of the world and its inhabitants, people will implement practices based upon unmistakenly accepting the correct means to cherish the potential of the vast natural realm.

May the attractive and healthy forests be increased in all the one hundred directions! May sentient creatures be freed from untimely death and live happy lives!

This message was delivered on Tibetan Democracy Day, September 2, 1994.

Can You Be a Christian and Believe in Ghosts?

By Reverend Mark Hunneman

Can you be a Christian and believe in ghosts? If you were to ask me if you could be a Christian and believe in abortion, I would respond,. "You are either abysmally ignorant of the Bible or you are not a Christian...probably the latter." In a biblical worldview, it helps you to see God's priorities regarding different issues. The sanctity of human life is so central to God, that any serious deviation raises a red flag. However, belief in ghosts is in a different category. The short answer is "Yes, you can be justified/saved if you believe in ghosts". We are justified by grace through faith alone...through the finished work of Christ, plus nothing. We are not justified by faith. Plus a proper view of ghosts...or a proper view of politics...or a proper view of the death penalty and so on.

I have a linebacker-esque quality to my writing when it comes to tackling the issue of ghosts. That stems from a holy hatred and loathing of demons/Satan, as well as the unspeakable suffering they cause. But unfortunately, I am certain I have lost subscribers due to my hard-hitting style. When I preached the whole counsel as a pastor, many visitors did not return...Not brimstone sermons but meaty ones, which they did not have a stomach for..The message itself has enough built in "offense" (ghosts are demons), that I don't need to inadvertently further turn them off by a grating or offensive style.

So, it is possible to be a Christian and believe in ghosts. I'll go further and state that some of these folks love Jesus way more than I do. Justification is by faith alone....And I rejoice in this for many reasons, one of which is nobody has a perfect understanding of the bible. But as the great Cornelius Van Til said (I think it was him), Reformed theology is the most biblically consistent expression of Christianity. I concur. But my Armenian brothers are justified just as freely and fully as I am.

Belief in ghosts is not a core issue in terms of what is necessary for salvation. The deity of Christ and the Trinity are core issues and you cannot be saved with a deficient view of either.

But here are my concerns...

1.  Belief in ghosts usually comes about by putting human experience above the authority of the bible...will a genuine Christian put their experience above the bible? Will that grieve the Holy Spirit?
2.  The intellectual starting point must be man's autonomous reason...not a healthy spiritual sign.
3.  Is not one of the crucial facets of the cross to defeat Satan?
4.  The singular honor ad dignity of Jesus is diminished if ghost theory is right
5.  Specifically, Jesus defeat of, and sovereignty over death is denied.
6.  Huge emotional and spiritual ramification makes a consistent walk with Jesus problematic
7.  We are ordered not to speak to the dead...this is done routinely through EVP gathering.

There are more concerns but I will stop there. Yes, we are justified by faith alone, but not ny a faith that is alone. That is, genuine faith will bear fruit...showing that Christ is Lord (not perfectly, but really) over us.

Yes, you can believe in ghosts and be a Christian, but only God knows if this embracing of a forbidden practice crosses the line, showing where your true allegiance is.

Again, I invite feedback please. I very much desire it.  Blessings.

The Paranormal Christian – Spiritual Doors of Our Mind

By Pastor Michael Frisbee, DD/DM

Many people assume that you have to participate in a physical action of some kind, like a séance or Ouija board session, to open a doorway or portal into ourselves for the demonic to come through.  The truth is that people can create doorways by just their thoughts, or through reading or watching materials involving the paranormal.  This usually occurs when a stressor happens in one’s life, weakening the person’s resolve or character.  The Enemy, Satan, and his demonic minions will use that weakness to set a trap and the person will agree to the bait.  The thought and then action to follow seems harmless enough.  Sneaking a look at those porn pictures that popped up in an innocent web search, reading occult material about wiccan spellcraft, etc.  The enemy can disguise itself as a guardian angel or spirit guide, deceiving people easily since they are fallen angels and can appear as “angels of light”.  Before people realize it, the demonic has access to into their lives.

2 Corinthians 11:14, "And no marvel; for Satan himself is transformed into an angel of light."

It is critically important to understand how the enemy works, so that we can prepare and arm ourselves to stand against demonic schemes. Paul said that they were not ignorant of Satan's mechanisms - this is something that many churches today cannot claim:

2 Corinthians 2:11, "Lest Satan should get an advantage of us: for we are not ignorant of his devices."

What I have discovered regarding demonic spirits is that they always present some kind of “golden prize” to get someone to allow access into their lives.  These can come in the form of specialized knowledge (mind control, divination), supernatural powers, healing (through New Age or occult powers), or even a forbidden sexual pleasure.  Our Lord, Jesus Christ, warned us that even evil thoughts can ruin us, leave us vulnerable to spiritual infestation:

Matthew 15:19-20, "For out of the heart proceed evil thoughts, murders, adulteries, fornications, thefts, false witness, blasphemies: These are the things which defile a man..."

When demonic spirits gain access to our spirits, they have access to our emotions, our thinking, our will.  Here is a list of the more prevalent demonic spirit types and how they make themselves “appealing”:

New Age Spirits (Yoga, Reiki, etc) - Energy healing along with increased mental and physical health are offered to you, when in reality it's only bait to land you in bondage. Again, when you partake in these practices, or seek energy healing, you open yourself up to these demonics.

Sexual Perversion Spirits – You are enticed into the world of forbidden pleasure. If you begin to indulge in these pleasures, you give notice to the demonic realm that it's okay to feed you more pleasure in that area of life. Once the demonic spirit of lust or sexual perversion takes control, it becomes an obsession, even an addiction.  It then becomes very difficult to resist the strong pull that this demonic has you.

Rebellious Spirits - This demonic seems to take your side and whisper to you, "You need to stand up for your rights…I’ll do that FOR YOU!" This demonic is looking for you to say, "Yes, I need you to do that!"

Divination Spirits (fortune telling/) – This demonic gives you supernatural secrets into the future that others do not have access to. The truth is, only God knows the future, not even Satan has this power.  The demonic can only manipulate others to force the prophecy to come about, but it will never be quite as spoken.  Only God’s prophecies come to bear in perfection. If you begin to seek this sort of power, they are letting the demons know that they are welcome.

It drives me crazy when I see Christian parents that willingly and openly allow their kids to get all caught up reading and watching the Harry Potter books and movies.  This opens the children up to occult spirits, letting these spirits know that they are interested in what the occult has to offer.  It gives them LEGAL RIGHT to move in on the child and I have been witness to the destruction it can bring, just not in the child’s life, but the family overall.  Horror movies, vampire movies, demonic movies, television shows, etc – all these things, all these media, Satan has come to use effectively to gain access to us.

Automatic Writing - This demonic offers gorgeous 'out of this realm' writings you wouldn't otherwise be able to produce. Let us never forget that demonic power is very expensive and lands you in bondage. When you seek this forbidden ability, you open yourself for the demonic to enter.

Occult Spirits - The lure of supernatural power and knowledge of the unknown. When you seek such occult power and knowledge, you open yourself to these demonics.

Bondage Spirits - You may think it's best to make/take a vow, in order to help you stay motivated to do or not do something, however, the Bible is clear that oaths can bind the soul (see Numbers 30), and it's not uncommon to find situations where someone has demonic spirits that entered in through vows that were made in the past. Rash vows can be forgiven (Leviticus 5:4-11), and must be renounced verbally. I also recommend verbally breaking the vow in Jesus' name and declaring it void by the power of the Blood of Jesus.

Addiction Spirits – This demonic often promises an escape from the reality while trying to cope with your life. When you turn to escapism, it can open you up to addictions that grow into a bondage and it seems nearly impossible to break free (without deliverance that is).

Witchcraft & Warlock Spirits – This demonic offers supernatural power to 'gain revenge' againstsomeone that has harmed you. This can be very appealing to somebody who has been rejected or hurt in this world. When you begin placing curses or seeking to learn about witchcraft, or even seek to have a witch place a curse for you, it allows the demonic entry into your life. God's Word tells us not even to seek somebody with occult power, lest we become defiled ourselves:

Leviticus 19:31, "Regard not them that have familiar spirits, neither seek after wizards, to be defiled by them: I am the LORD your God."

When we ignore the Word of God, turn a blind eye to it because it becomes unpopular or problematic to follow it, we fall away from God’s protection and grace.  We begin to fall prey to our fractured and sinful nature of our flesh, and it overwhelms the spirit within us, and we start having a hard time hearing the Holy Spirit speaking to us.  When this happens, we open ourselves up to the demonic, and soon we start finding our lives spinning out of control.  We have to keep our focus on God, continuously read His inerrant Word, and faithfully grow our relationship with Christ through daily prayer.  Only in Christ can we live demonic-free!

Tomorrow night on The Paranormal Christian, Rev. Hunnemann and I will discuss his recent article regarding residual hauntings and the truth behind these through the Bible, the failures in the current theories on residual hauntings, and how you can definitely debunk a residual haunting in a biblical manner.  Listen in tomorrow night, Sat 2/18, at 7 pm EST http://www.theparanormalchristian.com

Are There Animals/Pets in Heaven?

By Lisa Grace

Since this time of year focuses on love, nothing quite proves love like the loss of a loved one. Sadly, our golden retriever, Taffy, passed away two years ago at Christmas. This was our second one without her. My daughter never knew a day without her beloved dog before Taffy’s death.

At school this year, our daughter (now in the second grade) announced the hope of seeing her beloved pet in Heaven someday.

Her teacher informed her, “There will be no animals in and certainly no pets in Heaven.” My daughter came home from school in tears at the thought of never seeing her beloved pet again.

Unfortunately, I’ve come across several teachers and preachers who say there won’t be animals in Heaven.

I disagree and I believe I have Biblical proof on my side.

In a way, this is kind of thinking is funny because I’ve heard many a Baptist, Lutheran, Pentecostal, and Catholic sermon where they boast of the feasts they will have in Heaven. And as far as I can remember, not a one was talking about a vegan feast either. (All though my Messianic Rabbi does.) So if they’re going to have animals to eat (which is another whole post in itself, which I’ll be happy to chat about on another day), why in Heaven wouldn’t they be there as pets?

There is plenty of proof in the Bible that animals will certainly be there. For instance, when the new Jerusalem descends and we have that perfect time on Earth, where will the animals come from? The Bible says the world will be destroyed and there will be a new Heaven and a new Earth. (Rev 21:1) .

The prophet Isaiah talks about the time after the judgment and how the lion will lie down with the lamb, and children can play with asps and scorpions. It even says the lion shall eat hay. (Isaiah 11:6; 11:8; 66:23).

Another proof is that this world is a shadow of Heaven. For it to be a shadow, the real thing must exist in Heaven. (Hebrew 8:5 NIV)

In the book of Romans it says the whole of creation calls out. Why would animals be crying out if it leads to their ultimate destruction? Obviously, they’re longing for paradise too. (Rom 8:22)

In the book of Philippians it says all things in the earth and under the earth and in heaven (implies living things) that every knee should bow. Things? (Philippians 2:10)

It gets better. In the book of Revelations it mentions every creature in the sea. (Rev 5:13) How’d they get there if the seas are destroyed? They’re either re-created or they’re there to begin with.

The best proof there are indeed animals in Heaven is the fact that it says the Messiah will come back riding on a white horse. (Rev 6:2, 19:11) Horses are mentioned as coming from Heaven fourteen times in the book of Revelation (eight verses say horse, six say horses).

And the best proof? The four beasts before the throne are mentioned over and over. It mentions angels separately, so these are not classified as angels. There are wonderful creatures in Heaven that we have not seen yet on Earth. (Revelations 19:4)

There are clearly animals in Heaven so while it doesn’t specifically say “pets”, I believe there are. Why? Because very few things bring pure joy like the love from a pet and to your pet; and as we know, God is love. (1 John 4:8, 1 John 4:16)