Destiny of All Living Beings in Christian Eschatology
Christian eschatology, the study of "last things," primarily focuses on the ultimate destiny of humanity, yet it also touches upon the fate of the broader creation, including animals. The Bible indicates a distinction between the destiny of humans and other living beings, while also suggesting a shared experience of mortality and a future restoration for creation itself.
The concept of "life" in biblical terms encompasses various meanings, from physical existence to spiritual salvation and eternal life [1]. While humans are said to possess a spirit, Ecclesiastes 3:19 notes a shared mortality between humans and beasts, stating, "as dieth the one, so, dieth the other, and, one spirit, have they all" [2]. This passage emphasizes the commonality of physical death for all living creatures. However, the term "spirit" in this context refers to the breath of life, not necessarily an immortal soul in the human sense.
For humanity, Christian eschatology centers on the promise of eternal life through Christ. Jesus states that God has given him "power over all flesh" to "give eternal life to as many as" God has given him [9]. This eternal life is understood as a spiritual life or salvation [1]. Believers are called to live "no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God" [3, 6]. The New Testament emphasizes Christ's role as the "absolute source and cause of all life" [1], and that "in Him all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form" [4]. He is described as being "before all things" and the one "in whom" all things "consist" or "subsist," meaning he is both the Creator and Conserver of all things [7].
Regarding the destiny of animals and the wider creation, biblical texts suggest a future restoration rather than individual salvation in the human sense. The term "creature" (Greek: ktisis) can refer to the entire creation, the whole human race, or specific living beings [5]. Romans 8:19-22 speaks of creation groaning and eagerly awaiting its liberation from the "bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God." This implies a future state where the physical world, including its inhabitants, will be renewed and freed from the effects of sin. Some interpretations suggest that even inanimate creatures are addressed in prophecies of restoration, implying that creation itself "groans for deliverance" [10].
The book of Revelation depicts a universal chorus of creation, including "every creature which is in heaven, and on the earth, and under the earth, and such as are in the sea," giving praise to God and the Lamb [8]. This vision suggests a future where all creation acknowledges God's sovereignty. While this does not necessarily imply individual eternal life for animals, it points to a redeemed cosmos where all living things participate in the glory of God's kingdom. The Psalmist also speaks of God opening his hand and satisfying "the desire of every living thing," which some interpret as God's providential care for all creatures, providing for their needs [11].
Therefore, while humans are offered eternal life and salvation through faith in Christ, the destiny of animals and the broader creation is generally understood within Christian eschatology as a restoration and renewal of the created order, where they will exist in harmony with God's will in a redeemed world.
Sources
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Life — Generally of physical life (Gen. 2:7; Luke 16:25, etc.); also used figuratively (1) for immortality (Heb. 7:16); (2) conduct or manner of life (Rom. 6:4); (3) spiritual life or salvation (John 3:16, 17, 18, 36); (4) eternal life (Matt. 19:16, 17; John 3:15); of God and Christ as the absolute source and cause of all life (John 1:4; 5:26, 39; 11:25; 12:50).”
- Ecclesiastes “Ecclesiastes 3:19 (Rotherham) — For, as regardeth the destiny of the sons of men and the destiny of beasts, one fate, have they, as dieth the one, so, dieth the other, and, one spirit, have they all,—and, the pre-eminence of man over beast, is nothing, for, all, were vanity:”
- 1 Peter “1 Peter 4:2 (NASB) — so as to live the rest of the time in the flesh no longer for the lusts of men, but for the will of God.”
- Colossians “Colossians 2:9 (BSB) — For in Christ all the fullness of the Deity dwells in bodily form.”
- Easton's Bible Dictionary “Easton's Bible Dictionary: Creature — Denotes the whole creation in Rom. 8:39; Col. 1:15; Rev. 5:13; the whole human race in Mark 16:15; Rom. 8:19-22. The living creatures in Ezek. 10:15, 17, are imaginary beings, symbols of the Divine attributes and operations.”
- I Peter “I Peter 4:2 (LEB) — in order to live the remaining time in the flesh no longer for human desires, but for the will of God.”
- Colossians (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Colossians 1:17: (Joh 8:58.) Translate as Greek, "And He Himself (the great HE) is (implying divine essential being) before all things," in time, as well as in dignity. Since He is before all things, He is before even time, that is, from eternity. Compare "the first-born of every creature" (Col 1:15). by him--Greek, "IN Him" (as the conditional element of existence, Col 1:16) [ALFORD]. consist--"subsist." Not only are called into being from nothing, but are maintained in their present state. The Son of God is the Conserver, as well as the Creator of all things ”
- Revelation (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Revelation 5:13: The universal chorus of creation, including the outermost circles as well as the inner (of saints and angels), winds up the doxology. The full accomplishment of this is to be when Christ takes His great power and reigns visibly. every creature--"all His works in all places of His dominion" (Psa 103:22). under the earth--the departed spirits in Hades. such as are--So B and Vulgate. But A omits this. in the sea--Greek, "upon the sea": the sea animals which are regarded as being on the surface [ALFORD]. all that are in them--So Vulgate reads”
- John (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on John 17:2: given--gavest him power over all flesh--(See on Mat 11:27; Mat 28:18-20). give eternal life to as many as, &c.--literally, "to all that which thou hast given him." (See on Joh 6:37-40).”
- Ezekiel (Presbyterian) “Jamieson, Fausset & Brown on Ezekiel 36:4: Inanimate creatures are addressed, to imply that the creature also, as it were, groans for deliverance from the bondage of corruption into the glorious liberty of the children of God (Rom 8:19-21) [POLANUS]. The completeness of the renewed blessedness of all parts of the land is implied. derision-- (Psa 79:4).”
- Psalms (Baptist/Reformed) “John Gill on Psalms 145:16: Thou openest thine hand,.... Not of providence, but of grace, in which all things are, and from whence they come; and which the Lord opens liberally and bountifully, and gives out all things richly to enjoy; all things pertaining to life and godliness; grace here, with all the supplies of it, and glory hereafter: and satisfiest the desire of every living thing; not of every savage creature; every lion, bear, wolf, &c. for then there would be no living in some parts of the world: nor of every carnal, lustful, worldly, and covetous man; who never say they have enoug”