Sunday, January 7, 2018

Christian Forefathers' Support of Animals in Eternity



All throughout Matthew Henry's 6 volumes of his commentary supports with GOD's Word the eternal life of GOD's animal kingdom. He specifically uses Romans 8:21, "Because the creature itself shall also be delivered from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of GOD."

The New Living Translation states Romans 8:18-24, "For all creation is waiting eagerly for that future day when GOD will reveal who His children really are. Against its will, everything on earth was subjected to GOD's curse (due to the sin of man). All creation anticipates the day when it will join GOD's children in glorious freedom from death and decay. For we know that all creation has been groaning as pains of childbirth up to the present time. And even we Christians, although we have the Holy Spirit within us have the foretaste of the future glory, also groan to be released from pain and suffering. We, too, wait anxiously for that day when GOD will give us full rights as His children, including the new bodies He has promised us. Now that we are saved, we eagerly look forward to this freedom. For if you already have something, you don't have to hope for it." 

In author E.D. Buckner's book, "Immortality of Animals" in 1903, he stated about Romans 8:18-23, "St. Paul gives us to understand that this suffering of animals shall not be hopeless, but that they shall be delivered together with man from the bondage of corruption. By the word creature is understood all living beings except man. He is not here implied, as St Paul kept men separate in order to make clear his statement. We hope theology will become more Christ like, and include under atonement the 'whole creation' that groans and travails in pain and sorrow."


  
John Calvin, 1509-1564 also comments on Romans 8:19-23. It is taken from the Christian Classics Ethereal Library. He states, "I understand the passage to have this meaning - that there is no element and no part of the world which, being touched , as it were, with a sense of its present misery, does not intently hope for a resurrection. He indeed lays down two things, --that all are creatures in distress, -- and yet that they are sustained by hope. And, it also appears how immense is the value of eternal glory that it can excite and draw all things to desire it. The expression, expectation expects or waits for, has a most suitable meaning; all creatures seized with great anxiety and held in suspense with great desire , look for that day which shall openly exhibit the glory of the children of GOD...It also appears to what excelling glory the children of GOD will be exalted; for all creatures shall be renewed in order to amplify it and to render it illustrious.

"For the creatures were subject to corruption, not through their natural desire, (but man's choice to disobey GOD.)"

Again Mathew Henry's commentary, Zondervan Publishing House 1980 states, "This redemption of the creature is reserved till then (brought into the freedom of the children of GOD) for as it was with man and for man they shall be delivered. All the filth and curse that now adhere to the creature shall be done away then when those that have suffered with Christ upon earth shall reign with Him upon the earth. THIS the whole creation looks and longs for; and it may serve as a reason why now a good man should be merciful to his beast." John Calvin and Matthew Henry both say that the Scriptures say, "There is Eternal Life for Animals!" 

Revelation 5:13, "And every creature which is in heaven, on the earth, under the earth and such as are in the sea, I heard saying, 'blessing, honor, glory, and power be unto Him Who sits upon the throne and unto the Lamb (Jesus) forever and ever." The animals are going to praise our Awesome, Almighty, Creator, Savior, Holy Father GOD!

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