Page 121 - Biblical Theology Textbook - masters

Can Animals go to Heaven?

Like angels, animals are not said to be able to be saved from the consequences of sin. Animals do have
blood but are not created in the image of God. They are not said to have a soul. They were cursed as a
result of human sin. The future of all physical beings in the fallen world is burning. Peter makes this clear
in 2 Peter 3:7 saying, “But by the same word the heavens and earth that now exist are stored up for fire,
being kept until the day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly.”

Can the Earth be Saved?

The earth is going to pass away. Paul says it is longing to be set free from its corruption (Rom. 8:20). God
has allowed it to endure, along with humanity, and the fallen angels, because He loves and desires to
save mankind. Revelation 21:1 says, “Then I saw a new heaven and a new earth, for the first heaven and
the first earth had passed away, and the sea was no more.” We have already seen that Peter said the
world would be destroyed by fire.

What Does not Save A Person?

Many things are listed in Scripture as unable to save a person. Some are then deduced through
theological reasoning. Below we shall briefly list five things that do not save a person.

1. Going to Church. Believers are told not to forsake the gathering of themselves together. This is not
however a condition of salvation. The Bible is clear that faith alone, in Christ’s death and
resurrection on our behalf saves humans.
2. Good Works. The Bible could not be clearer that good works do not have any role in our salvation
(Eph. 2:8-9; Rom. 4:5).
3. Performing Miracles. False prophets can perform miracles and exorcisms. This does not prove they
are from God or are saved. Matthew 7:15-23 makes it clear that false prophets call upon their
miraculous works and exorcisms to validate their case before God. He says, “I never knew you.”
4. Abstaining or Fasting. Some believe a life of asceticism will make God accept them. Jesus is clear
that faith alone is what will gain a person the life of God (John 1:12; 3:16; 20:31).
5. Theology. Jesus rebuked the Pharisees in John 5:39-40 that “You search the Scriptures because you
think that in them you have eternal life; and it is they that bear witness about me, yet you refuse to
come to me that you may have life.” A person can study God’s Word for a lifetime and miss the life
of God through Jesus if they do not believe in Jesus.

None of these things can gain a person eternal life. Faith alone is the only acceptable condition for
salvation.

16.4 Let’s Practice this Lesson. . .

1. Why does mankind need salvation?

2. List any beings other than humans, that we know of, that can be saved through Jesus blood:

3. What is the future of all fallen angels and Satan?

4. What happens to animals who die?

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