Heavenly Cuisine: Meat or No Meat Allowed

As we ponder the wonders of heaven, our minds often wander to the question of what delights await us in the presence of our Lord. Will the tables of heaven be spread with an abundance of meat, or will the dietary delights of the new creation be of a different sort? While Scripture doesn't provide a definitive answer to this question, we can glean some insights from the biblical narrative. In the garden of Eden, before the fall, Adam and Eve were given dominion over the earth and all its creatures, and their diet consisted of the fruit of the trees and the plants of the field (Genesis 1:29). It wasn't until after the flood that God gave Noah and his family permission to eat meat, saying, "Every moving thing that lives shall be food for you" (Genesis 9:3).

In the heavenly city, the New Jerusalem, we're told that God will wipe away every tear, and there will be no more death, mourning, crying, or pain (Revelation 21:4). This suggests a restoration of the original creation, where harmony and peace reign supreme. While it's possible that meat could be part of the heavenly diet, it's also possible that the new creation will be characterized by a return to a more Edenic state, where the emphasis is on the fruit of the trees and the plants of the field. After all, in the kingdom of heaven, we'll be feasting on the richest of spiritual foods, partaking of the Lord's table, and drinking from the river of life that flows from the throne of God (Revelation 22:1-2). Whether or not meat is on the menu, we can be assured that the joys of heaven will far surpass our earthly delights, and our hearts will be satisfied with the richest of treasures, the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the bread of life (John 6:35). As we look forward to the heavenly feast, let us not get too caught up in the details, but rather fix our eyes on the Lord, who will satisfy our deepest longings and fill us with joy unspeakable.