Question:
Where in the Bible proves that animals do not go to heaven when they die? I have been taught that they do not, based on Genesis 2:7, “And the Lord God formed man of the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and man became a living soul.”

Answer:
Animals were created by God (Genesis 1:29, 30) and were brought under the burden of sin by God (Genesis 3:14-19; Romans 8:18-25). They were taken into the ark with Noah (Genesis 6:19-22) and were identified as sources of food for man (Genesis 9:2-5). Yet, despite the curse on animals, God is still attentive to their suffering (Matthew 10:29-31; Luke 12:6, 7; Romans 8:18-25). Animals have been used by God in man’s instruction (Numbers 22:28-33) and for the punishment of man’s sin (1 Kings 13:24-28; Daniel 6:24-27).

The use of animals in sacrifice was introduced by God (Genesis 3:21) and endorsed as an act of man (Genesis 4:4). With the death and resurrection of our Lord and Savior, animal sacrifices are unnecessary for our eternal redemption (Hebrews 9:11-15). In a future day, the curse of sin will be removed from animals, and animal and man will live in harmony (Isaiah 11:6-8; 65:25).
The similarities between the spirit of man and the spirit of the beast are provided by the Spirit in the testimony of Solomon’s wisdom (Ecclesiastes 3:18-20). The difference between these spirits is demonstrated in verse 21 where the spirit of man returns to God (see also Ecclesiastes 12:7) and the spirit of the beast returns with the dust to the earth. In his conclusion, Solomon, through the Spirit, states that judgment of every secret thing, whether it be good or evil, will befall the spirit of man (Ecclesiastes

12:13, 14; also compare Deuteronomy 24:16).