One of the many key indications of the reliability of the Bible is its addressing the broad span of the reality of life on earth.  I’m only vaguely knowledgeable of the scriptures of other religions, but I think it’s safe to say that the Bible is unparalleled in its “heart” for animals—from their origin to their destiny.  They were created by God before mankind (Gen. 1), they were put under man’s authority and responsibility (Gen. 1:20-30; Psalm 8:4-8), they were saved from destruction in the flood (Gen. 7:6-10), and they are remembered by their Creator who covenanted with them that they would continue under His protection and in His care (Gen. 9:8-16).

Further, animals are to be treated well and with kindness (Prov. 12:10), they are celebrated by their Creator and the ancient psalmists (Job 38-40; Psalm 104), they are loved by the Lord (Psa. 145:9), and they suffer under the curse and under the abuse of mankind, yet with hope shared with the rest of creation of gaining the same freedom and experiencing the same glory that will come to “the children of God” (Rom. 8:18-25).  Perhaps most amazing of all is that they will be present in the coming “peaceable kingdom” (Isa. 11:6-9) and will join with the saved in singing the praise of their Creator/Savior at the end of days—the One who is identified as an innocent animal: the Lamb who was slain for our sin (Rev. 5:6-14). [Girl and lamb photo source]

KEY SCRIPTURE:
The creation waits in eager expectation for the children of God to be revealed. For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope that the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the freedom and glory of the children of God. We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption to sonship, the redemption of our bodies (Rom. 8:19-22).

Knowing all of this from God’s Holy Word about the animals that share the earth with us, we have a great deal to think about regarding them.  I believe one fair conclusion is that as Bible-believers and followers of Christ the Creator, we should be the key “people for the ethical treatment of animals” even though we may have problems with PETA and their actions and philosophy.

It’s important for us to give consideration to the thinking of saints who have gone before us and their compassion for animals—remembering, for one, William Wilberforce, who not only was the statesman most responsible for the abolition of slavery in England, but also one of the founders of the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1824.

Earlier still was John Wesley, who in his sermon “The General Deliverance” (1788) expressed the following in reference to Paul’s statement about the fate of the creation in Romans 8:

[The animals] could not sin, for they were not moral agents.  Yet how severely do they suffer!  Yea, many of them, beasts of burden in particular, almost the whole time of their abode on earth—so that they can have no retribution here below.  But the objection vanishes away if we consider that something better remains after death for these poor creatures also!  That these likewise shall one day be delivered from this bondage of corruption and shall then receive ample amends for all their present suffering.

One more excellent end may undoubtedly be answered by the preceding considerations: They may encourage us to imitate him whose mercy is over all his works.  They may soften our hearts towards the meaner creatures, knowing that the Lord careth for them.  It may enlarge our hearts towards those poor creatures to reflect that, as vile as they appear in our eyes, not one of them is forgotten in the sight of our Father which is in heaven.  Through all the vanity to which they are now subjected, let us look to what God hath prepared for them.  Yea, let us habituate ourselves to look forward, beyond this present scene of bondage, to the happy time when they will be delivered therefrom into the liberty of the children of God.

I confess that I’m not sure what to think about everything Wesley concludes (a similar view was expressed by George MacDonald). The Bible gives us no assurance about a “resurrection” of individual animals.  Nor does it make clear which of the prophetic visions including animals are more figurative than literal. But there’s more than enough in Scripture to convict me and make me realize that there’s much soul-searching I need to do in reference to my own compassion and care for animals and the habitats that make their lives possible.
[Wolf and lamb photo source]