For this we say unto you by the word of the Lord, that we which are alive and remain unto the coming of the Lord shall not prevent them which are asleep. For the Lord Himself will descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trump of God: and the dead in Christ shall rise first: Then we which are alive and remain shall be caught up together with them in the clouds, to meet the Lord in the air and so shall we ever be with the Lord. Wherefore comfort one another with these words.
2 Timothy 4:7-8
For I am already being poured out as a drink offering, and the time of my departure is at hand. I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith. Finally, there is laid up for me the crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous Judge, will give to me on that Day, and not to me only but also to all who have loved His appearing .
God bless your wonderful daughter Lora for her heart of love. Soon, we will be reunited with our loved ones who have gone before to be with the Lord, and I believe with the precious pets He has created and provided us with. Soon Valerie. Soon Lora. In the twinkling of an eye...
Please know that I have prayed for you and your husband over this loss.
Why does it hurt so much when we lose a pet? I think it’s because they express to us the closest thing to Christ’s type of unconditional love. And to lose that type of love, a sort of perfect, Christ love, well… it hurts… bad.
When I lost one of my dogs as a boy, Christ directed me to find a rather obscure passage. I consider it Biblical proof that animals do go to heaven.
“…If there is a natural body, there is a spiritual body.” -- 1 Corth 15:44
That verse doesn’t say anything about being human. Therefore, I believe it applies to all of God’s creatures. And He brought that to my attention for the first time after losing my golden retriever, HoneyBear.
I received a wonderful email from Reva, which she shared some personal experiences with her pets. Since I didn't receive permission in her email to post her remarks, I will instead, post MY REPLY to her email.
Hi Reva,
Thank you so very much for prayers, for us, and for sharing your heartbreaking experience in regards to your beloved Lexie! I hope Furby has met up with Lexie and other animals in Heaven and that they are having, the best time ever, running, playing, and worshiping God in His Heavenly Kingdom together.
You are so very right about the long drawn out stress on the body, crying and grieving hard and long is bad for the body. I know it to be true, when my Mom died. My health just plummeted down so quickly, I was having stress tests down on my heart, etc. etc...it really did a number on me. Then I realized, my Mom was alright, she was in a better place, it was I that still had to go through life's sorrow, pain, suffering, and joy intermittent; not her. It reminded me, when Jesus said to those who were weeping, when our Lord was carrying His cross; Weep for yourselves and your children. Jesus knew that his suffering would soon be over and end, but those who are still alive, have their cross yet to bear, until they too, reach
the Lord's Heavenly Kingdom.
My husband and I are 68 years of age, and our health is to be taken into consideration, therefore, since Ed had a major heart attack, with triple bypass surgery 10 years ago, and I'm disabled with mobility problems, with walking, and live in chronic pain; we could not in any way adopt a new dog/pet, not now or even in the near future. We were committed to Furby, and no matter what, we were going to see him through, no matter how long he lived. He lived over one hundred years in human life span, 7 x 17 = 11 9 years.
Yes he lived a long life, and he tried his very best till the very end. He just couldn't go on, he was deaf, lame on one leg, and then the other legs all gave out at once, even his spine could no longer hold up his body. He's paid his dues here, his work is done, now he is healthy and free, living with Our Creator, who loves him so much and has given him his just rewards now. He is in a place called Heaven now, and he deserves it. I can picture him, lovingly staring at Jesus like he use to stare at us.
Maranatha! Yes, I too am looking forward to the Lord's coming at the Rapture, at any moment now. I too look forward to seeing Furby, and other pets that have passed over, our 2 miscarried grandchildren, my parents, and many love ones, family and friends, whom are no longer with us. There will be a grand reunion, in that place called Heaven. In the meantime God will mend our broken hearts,, and heal the pain of separation we feel at present. God's presence here on Earth and in Heaven is so essential, He let's us know, how much He loves us, and all of his creatures, small and great.
Thank you once again for taking the time to share your prayers, your thoughts, and your comforting remarks. May you continue to have many more wonderful moments with Toby, now and for eternity.
God Bless you and yours!
In Jesus' Love,
Valerie
"We’ll be soooo glad when death is no more!! When we’re never separated….. when death is swallowed up in victory forever!!"
P.S. I will share MY thanks and reply to You, on Furby's thread, since you have not given your permission to post your email in your letter.
I received another wonderful email from Michelle, here I did likewise, and posted my reply, instead of her entire email.
Michelle, I Thank you so much for your words of comfort and prayer.
I so appreciate you taking the time to write, especially the following in quotes.
"I sincerely pray for the Lord's comfort as you grieve, and that you will rest in the peace and expectation of being reunited with him hopefully very soon. Love and every blessing in Christ, Michelle"
I will relay MY REPLY on Furby's thread at the website, since I respect your privacy, and without permission, I'd rather post my reply, with a small quote, instead of your entire email.
Know that I will remember you and yours in my prayers.
In Jesus' Love,
Valerie
Valerie, so sad to hear of the loss of your beloved dog Furby. It hurts right to our heart, to the depths of us to lose a pet.
Yet, heaven is ahead. There are verses in the bible that lead me to believe our pets are in heaven, they also have life, although animals are not in the image of God as man was made, yet they also are made by God.
Here is example:
Rev 5:13 And every created thing which is in heaven and on the earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all things in them, I heard saying, "To Him who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb, be blessing and honor and glory and dominion forever and ever."
See this? to Him who sits on the throne. how could every created thing, even under the earth and in heaven say this unless they know of the Lamb? every created thing includes the animals. every means every.
Romans 8 talks about "the creation", not just mankind, but "creation":
…19 For the anxious longing of the creation waits eagerly for the revealing of the sons of God. 20 For the creation was subjected to futility, not willingly, but because of Him who subjected it, in hope 21 that the creation itself also will be set free from its slavery to corruption into the freedom of the glory of the children of God.…
Hugs Valerie, and Maranatha! May the appearing of our glorious Lord from heaven come very soon
One Year Anniversary of the passing of our Beloved Little Dog "Furby"
October 17th, 2015 - October 17th, 2016...We Remember Furby,a Precious Family Member, whom we shall meet one day in Heaven.
Furby, We think of you often, and shed a tear now and then, because we love you and miss you, little guy. However, you're in good hands with Jesus, safe, sound, well, happy, and full of youth, happily playing once more, like you use to do. The first six months just tore at our hearts so much, and joy was hard to find in life again. Our daily lives were filled with a void, you are so missed. Sadness over took us, until one day we saved a life from a shelter, of one homeless, small toy poodle dog, who needed us as much as we needed her. You'll meet her one day in Heaven. God sent us Daisy, to love us, and help mend our broken hearts, until we meet again my friend. She reminds me, somewhat of your mannerisms and many times when I hug her I think about the many times I hugged you too and can imagine holding and hugging you as well. You will always remain in our thoughts and hearts, and could never be replaced. God made you one of a kind, and you'll always be special to us. Your little adopted Sister Daisy, is just another addition to our Family, and she is also
special to us in her own way too. Hope you have met with all our other pets, who have gone well before you.
The Rapture may happen this year, and that would mean we'd meet in heaven very soon.
Be a good boy for Jesus, and remember to come and greet us, when we cross over and
meet again, my beloved friend. Hugs & Kisses, Love, Grandma Val, Grandpa Ed., Sister Daisy .
OUR FURBY ---- SEPTEMBER 28TH, 1998 - OCTOBER 17TH, 2015----
You and I are in the same situation, Valerie. In October of last year, you lost Furby; in April of this year, we lost Elmo. At least you were able to get another dog when you were ready to do so. I don't know if we will ever get another one.
I know that another dog can never take Furby's place, but if Daisy is helping in any way, that's wonderful.