* Ecclesiastes 3:19; 2 Peter 2:12 - Will the Animals Be Raised?

First, we will state that directly the Bible does not say whether animals will or will not be resurrected. If they are to be raised, some claim that it would overcrowd the planet earth. Of course, God has what appears to be an infinite universe with many places where he could raise animals back to life to live. Animals suffer as do humans, and possibly even more. Thus, it would seem possible that God may raise animals so that they also may receive benefit from the sufferings of this age.

The Bible, however, appears to be related to mankind rather than other living creatures, and its focus is on the deliverance of mankind from the condemnation in Adam. (Genesis 3:15; 18:18; Romans 5:12-19; 1 Corinthians 15:21,22) Among all the living creatures on earth, only man can have comprehension of this redemption.

There is only one scripture we know of that could be thought to indicate that animals may be raised in the resurrection day:

Ecclesiastes 3:19 - For that which befalleth the sons of men befalleth beasts; even one thing befalleth them: as the one dieth, so dieth the other; yea, they have all one breath; and man hath no preeminence above the beasts: for all is vanity. -- American Standard Version

Solomon here describes mankind under the bondage of corruption, under the sun of vanity, due to Adam's sin. (Ecclesiastes 1:14; Romans 5:12-19; 8:19-22) He says that the same death is upon both man and beast, which could possibly indicate the beasts may also be included in the resurrection.

Some point to 2 Peter 2:12 and claim that this scripture says that animals were not made to live forever. what does it say there?

2 Peter 2:12 - But these, as creatures without reason, born mere animals to be taken and destroyed, speaking evil in matters about which they are ignorant, will in their destroying surely be destroyed. -- World English.

2 Peter 2:12 - and these, as irrational natural beasts, made to be caught and destroyed -- in what things they are ignorant of, speaking evil -- in their destruction shall be destroyed. -- Young's Literal.

It is claimed that this scripture shows that God originally made animals to die, not to live forever. Whether this be true or not, we really cannot tell from this scripture or any other scripture found in the Bible. More than likely Peter was describing man as being like a beast as Solomon wrote, and this was due to Adam's sin, as Paul wrote.

We note that no animal was spoken of as being killed or destroyed until after Adam and Eve had sinned. While it is possible that Jehovah made coats of skin without killing an animal (Genesis 3:21), more than likely Jehovah killed an animal or animals to make these coats. The next time animals are spoken of as being killed is in Abel's sacrifice to Jehovah. (Genesis 4:4) It was not until after the flood of Noah's day, however, that animals are spoken of as a source of food. -- Genesis 9:2-4.

Peter, however, was speaking directly, not of animals, but of people, that is, he was speaking of some who come among the church, but who evidently were not actually sons of God. Some claim that he was speaking of some who had been regenerated and turned aside, likened to going back to being what he was before. (2 Peter 2:22) Many who hold this view also assume that Peter was speaking of these as coming under the second condemnation -- the second death. However, those who receive the second condemnation would not be "ignorant," for only those who have an accurate knowledge of the truth can come under the second condemnation. (Hebrews 10:26) Thus, it appears that Peter was more than likely speaking of those who associate with the church but who have never regenerated, or if they have been regenerated, they never attained the accurate knowledge of the truth. These remain under the condemnation in Adam and are destroyed in that condemnation, Such, like the people of Bethsaida and Capernaum, will find it less tolerable in the day of Judgment than otherwise. -- Matthew 11:20-24.

At any rate, the conclusion is that we have no scripture that actually gives us solid reason to believe that animals will or will not be raised. All we can do is leave it up to God and Christ.