Death of a Loved One

A Lady was buried today.  Not just any Lady but a special friend of my children and grandchildren.  She was a twelve year old Basset hound – the family pet and was much loved.  They wanted to bury her next to where the childhood St Bernard of my children was interred many years ago.  A fitting tribute to both dogs.  Side by side as testimonies to pets who were greatly loved and appeared to love (in dog fashion) in return.

As my grandson was digging the grave and later helped in making a monument board I had the opportunity to remind him of the author of death – sin.  Because of Adam’s sin physical death entered into the human equation. The Bible tells us, and human experience verifies, that death is inevitable for all – including the flora and fauna of this earth.  We may not be able to escape physical death but it will not be permanent.  Though the wages of sin is death in this life the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord in the life beyond this one. (Romans 6:23).  Death for the believer is a passing from this existence into the next reality.  Contrary to modern skeptics death for the unregenerate unbeliever is an eternity in Hell (Revelation 20).

In the past I have pondered (my favored pastime) if our family pets and other animals will be with us in heaven?  The Bible does not state they will and I’m content with that.  I do know however that without a personal relationship with the Lord Jesus Christ through repentance and faith no human being will be in heaven.  Ponder that.