One thing we seem to get confused about concerning the age to come is that we don’t realize how “earthy” it’s going to be. We’ve been taught so much about heaven but we forget that heaven is coming down to earth and the two shall be one. In fact, for those with eyes to see and ears to hear, they are already one (see Isaiah 6:3 & Matthew 27:51-52).
It would be better to say that in the age to come heaven will be revealed for the whole world to see. The glory of God is already everywhere but on that day the earth will finally have knowledge of it (Isaiah 11:9). That’s why we preach the gospel to the nations….to bring them into awareness. We’re participating in the revealing of heaven on earth through our preaching of the gospel (declaring it with joy) and by displaying it with our lives (through healings, miracles, and good works).
The new earth filled with the new heaven is the destiny of humanity. It’s important we remind ourselves how awesome it’s going to be. The earthiness of the new age is going to surprise us.
For example, as quoted in the first chapter of this book, Isaiah makes it clear that there will be animals in the new world. Let’s read it one more time: “The wolf will live with the lamb, the leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together; and a little child will lead them. The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox. The infant will play near the cobra’s den, and the young child will put its hand into the viper’s nest. They will neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain, for the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the Lord as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-9).
Just like the walls of division between people have come down in Christ, so too the walls between animals groups will come down. Wolves and lambs, and lions and oxen are just some examples of different creatures coming together in harmony.
Another really cool part of this passage is how children are leading and playing with the animals. Peace between humans and animals will also be a wonderful dynamic. Perhaps we can even say that when families take care of pets like dogs, cats, or birds, they are putting on display a precious sign of the new world in Jesus.
I get asked often, “Will my dog be with me in heaven?” I don’t think the Bible is one hundred percent clear on whether the animals from this age will be resurrected in the age to come. I do think it’s possible because Peter talks about the “restoration of everything” (Acts 3:21). Paul also talks about the reconciliation of all things in heaven and on earth (Colossians 1:20). So I would never tell anyone “No, your dog won’t be in the new heaven and new earth.” In the same way, I wouldn’t say one hundred perfect that your pet will be in the new world. What I would encourage anybody to do is to have hope and wait and see what God has in store! It will be better than you can imagine.
In the meantime, let’s keep the main thing the main thing. Our goal is to teach people everywhere about Jesus (see Colossians 1:28-29). This is our main joy and priority. However, let it be know that there is nothing wrong with enjoying animals in this age, because it will be a part of our inheritance in the age to come! It’s going to be so much fun!
Speaking of fun, we need to understand just how fun the new world in Jesus is supposed to be. In my first book The Happy Trinity, I taught how the Scriptures show God playing and laughing when he made the world. This is from Proverbs 8:30-31 and most translations say the Wisdom of God was “rejoicing,” but the Hebrew word sachaq means to “laugh” and to “play.” As children of God, this is another amazing part of our inheritance. We were created to laugh, play, and have a good time with God and our spiritual family!
The definition of “fun” is enjoyment or lighthearted pleasure. The scriptures declare that we are to “rejoice in the Lord always, and again I say rejoice!” (Phillipians 4:4) In other words, have fun in Jesus always. Enjoy him and allow yourself to feel lighthearted pleasure as you receive the gift of life. Every good and perfect gift in this life comes from our Father (James 1:17) and he wants us to enjoy it all as we give him thanks (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18).
The prophet Zechariah has a prophecy that reads, “The city streets will be filled with boys and girls playing there” (Zechariah 8:5). The new world will have lots of opportunities for play! Games, fun, and activities will all be done in an atmosphere of worship and thanksgiving towards the Father and the Lamb. Music and song will fill heaven and earth as we sing praises and have fun at the same time!
And the food! Don’t forget the food! What’s a good party without some good food? Jesus eating after the resurrection (Luke 24:42-43) shows us that we can eat in the new world! He told his disciples that he would drink from the fruit of the vine with them in the Father’s kingdom (Matthew 26:29). Speaking of the new heaven and new earth, Isaiah prophesied, “They will build houses and dwell in them; they will plant vineyards and eat their fruit” (Isaiah 65:21).
Eating, playing, and enjoying animals will be a part of the good times in the new world with Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. We will all be together and there will be so much to enjoy and explore. A heart of worship and praise will fill everything we do because our awareness of God’s presence will be so strong. And even now, for those with faith, the party has already started because of Jesus!