The Question That Keeps Us Awake: Are Pets in Heaven?

When a beloved dog or cat passes, many of us wonder if that companion will be with us on the new earth. In this hour of In The Market, host Janet Parshall invites Randy Elkhorn to examine the biblical evidence behind that question.

Scriptural Clues: From Noah to Revelation

Elkhorn points to a pattern of passages that repeatedly bring animals into the narrative of God’s redemption. He cites the ark story, where God preserves two of every kind, and the prophetic vision of Isaiah 11, 65, and Revelation 22, where the wolf dwells with the lamb and the lion feeds with the lamb. He also highlights the Book of Job, where God describes the horse, the ox, and the lion, underscoring that these creatures are part of the created order.

What “Nephish” Means for Animals

In the interview, Elkhorn explains the Hebrew term nephish, translated as “soul” or “living creature.” He notes that while animals possess a nephish, it is distinct from the human soul, a distinction that does not diminish their value in God’s design. This theological point frames the discussion of animals’ place in the future kingdom.

A New Eden: Animals in the Restored Creation

Elkhorn frames the new earth as a return to Eden, a place where every creature—small insects to great whales—exists in harmony with God and one another. He suggests that the restoration of all things, as described in Revelation 21, naturally includes the animals that have been part of creation since the beginning. The conversation invites listeners to imagine a future where pets and wildlife share the renewed world.