WHEN JESUS COMES AGAIN –

LIFE ON THE NEW EARTH #4

 

What about the animals?

 

April 29, 2007 Pastor Mike Barnett

 

·        Scripture says a great deal about animals, portraying them as Earth’s second most important inhabitants.

 

·        Like mankind, it appears that God has a plan for the animals on the New Earth because like humans he had a plan for them on the first earth!

 

Genesis 1:25 says:

25 God made the wild animals according to their kinds, the livestock according to their kinds, and all the creatures that move along the ground according to their kinds. And God saw that it was good.

·        Animals existed in the _______________(Garden) of _________________(Eden) and were apart pf God’s original plan, therefore the biblical doctrine of redemption suggest that animals will also exist and play an important role on the ______________(New) ________________(Earth).

 

·        Like humans, animals were formed from the ground.

 

Genesis 2:7 says:

7 the LORD God formed the man [a] from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

 

Genesis 2:19 says:

19 Now the LORD God had formed out of the ground all the beasts of the field and all the birds of the air. He brought them to the man to see what he would name them; and whatever the man called each living creature, that was its name.

·        Remarkably, the same Hebrew word, “nephesh”, is used for animals and for people.

 

·        The Bible says that both humans and animals were formed from the ground and have the “__________________(breath) of ________________(life)” in them.

 

Genesis 1:30 says:

And to all the beasts of the earth and all the birds of the air and all the creatures that move on the ground—everything that has the breath of life in it—I give every green plant for food."

Genesis 2:7 says:

The LORD God formed the man from the dust of the ground and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, and the man became a living being.

·        When mankind fell, the ____________________(Animal) Kingdom and the rest of ___________________(creation) came under the same __________________(curse).

Genesis 6:17 says:

17 I am going to bring floodwaters on the earth to destroy all life under the heavens, every creature that has the breath of life in it. Everything on earth will perish.

·        When God judged mankind and cursed him with the flood, the animals were included in that massacre.

Genesis 7:22 says:

22 Everything on dry land that had the breath of life in its nostrils died.

·        When God __________________(rescued) a ____________________(remnant) of mankind from the flood, He also saved a remnant of each __________________(species) of animals!

Genesis 7:15 says:

15 Pairs of all creatures that have the breath of life in them came to Noah and entered the ark.

·        God made animals, linking them both to earth and humanity forever.

 

·        Animals may have souls, but they do not have human souls.

 

·        Animals are not ________________(equal) to human beings in any sense and we should not put them on the same level - Man was created in God’s ______________________(image), not the animals.

 

·        The Animals were _________________(created) for __________________(man) to provide food, work and companionship.

 

·        Animals were created to be ruled and subservient to God’s most prized creation – mankind.

 

 

 

Genesis 1:28 says:

28 God blessed them and said to them, "Be fruitful and increase in number; fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish of the sea and the birds of the air and over every living creature that moves on the ground."

Psalm 8:6-8 says:

 6 You made him ruler over the works of your hands;
       you put everything under his feet:

 7 all flocks and herds,
       and the beasts of the field,

 8 the birds of the air,
       and the fish of the sea,
       all that swim the paths of the seas.

Proverbs 12:10 says:

 10 A righteous man cares for the needs of his animal,
       but the kindest acts of the wicked are cruel.

2 Samuel 12:3 says:

3 but the poor man had nothing except one little ewe lamb he had bought. He raised it, and it grew up with him and his children. It shared his food, drank from his cup and even slept in his arms. It was like a daughter to him.

·        Mankind was called to be a steward of all of creation and everything in it including the animals.

 

·        Needless to say, there’s strong biblical case for animals having non-human souls.

 

·        The fact is, the Greek words “nephesh” and “psyche”, often translated “soul” when referring to humans also is used in referring to the souls of animals.

 

·        It appears that animals have some kind of ________________(soul), although clearly not on a equal plain with the human soul.

 

·        It wasn’t until seventeenth century enlightenment that the existence of animal souls was even questioned in Western civilization.

 

·        Throughout the history of the church, the classic understanding of living things has included the doctrine that animals as well as humans, have souls.

 

·        With that said, clearly humans and animals are different.

 

·        Humans continue to exist after death, but that may not be the case for animals.

 

·        But humans and animals share something in common, both are created living beings.

 

·        Because God has a future plan for both mankind and Earth, it strongly suggest that he has a _____________________(future) plan for _________________(animals) as well on the New Earth.

 

·        One of the most revealing Old Testament pictures of God’s redemptive work is the Flood and Noah’s ark.

 

·        WHY DID GOD SAVE ANIMALS FROM THE FLOOD?

 

·        The fact is, when God saved people from the destruction of the flood, he also took great care to __________(save) the ______________________(animals).

 

Genesis 6:19-20 says:

19 You are to bring into the ark two of all living creatures, male and female, to keep them alive with you. 20 Two of every kind of bird, of every kind of animal and of every kind of creature that moves along the ground will come to you to be kept alive.

·        God made a covenant with Noah, and in that covenant God included the protection for the _________________________(animals).

 

Genesis 9:9-17 says:

9 "I now establish my covenant with you and with your descendants after you 10 and with every living creature that was with you—the birds, the livestock and all the wild animals, all those that came out of the ark with you—every living creature on earth. 11 I establish my covenant with you: Never again will all life be cut off by the waters of a flood; never again will there be a flood to destroy the earth." 12 And God said, "This is the sign of the covenant I am making between me and you and every living creature with you, a covenant for all generations to come: 13 I have set my rainbow in the clouds, and it will be the sign of the covenant between me and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth and the rainbow appears in the clouds, 15 I will remember my covenant between me and you and all living creatures of every kind. Never again will the waters become a flood to destroy all life. 16 Whenever the rainbow appears in the clouds, I will see it and remember the everlasting covenant between God and all living creatures of every kind on the earth." 17 So God said to Noah, "This is the sign of the covenant I have established between me and all life on the earth."

·        ANIMALS ARE INCLUDED THE RAINBOW COVENANT!

 

·        God’s plan for a ___________________(renewed) earth after the flood emphatically involved ____________________(animals).

 

QUESTION: Wouldn’t we expect his plan for a renewed earth after the future judgment to likewise include animals?

 

KEY QUESTION: If the rescue of mankind in the ark is a picture of redemption, doesn’t the rescue of the animals in the ark also anticipate their restoration as part of God’s redemptive purposes on the New Earth?

 

2 Peter 3:5-7 says:

5But they deliberately forget that long ago by God's word the heavens existed and the earth was formed out of water and by water. 6By these waters also the world of that time was deluged and destroyed. 7By the same word the present heavens and earth are reserved for fire, being kept for the day of judgment and destruction of ungodly men.

·        In 2 Peter 3:5-7, we see a direct parallel between God’s past judgment of the earth with water and his future judgment with fire.

 

·        Mankind was ___________________(judged) in the ______________________(flood), and on his coattails most animals ______________________(perished).

 

·        Eight human beings were rescued from to flood to inhabit the new post flood earth, but God didn’t _________________(limit) his rescue to people – He also rescued representatives of every animal species to also _____________________(occupy) the new Earth.

 

·        This is a powerful picture of what Romans 8 states – mankind and animals and all creation are _____________________(linked) together not only in __________________(curse) and __________________(judgment) but also in __________________(redemption) and __________________(deliverance).

 

Romans 8:18-25 says:

 

18I consider that our present sufferings are not worth comparing with the glory that will be revealed in us. 19The creation waits in eager expectation for the sons of God to be revealed. 20For the creation was subjected to frustration, not by its own choice, but by the will of the one who subjected it, in hope 21that[a] the creation itself will be liberated from its bondage to decay and brought into the glorious freedom of the children of God.

 22We know that the whole creation has been groaning as in the pains of childbirth right up to the present time. 23Not only so, but we ourselves, who have the firstfruits of the Spirit, groan inwardly as we wait eagerly for our adoption as sons, the redemption of our bodies. 24For in this hope we were saved. But hope that is seen is no hope at all. Who hopes for what he already has? 25But if we hope for what we do not yet have, we wait for it patiently.  Romans 8:18-25

KEY QUESTION: Select human, animals, vegetation, and geographical features including mountains were preserved by God in the judgment by _______________(water) - Shouldn’t we expect the same in his judgment by ______________(fire)?

 

·        THERE IS FURTHER BIBLICAL EDIVENCE PROVING THAT MANKIND AND THE ANIMAL KINGDOM ARE LINKED TOGETHER AND SHARE IN THE FALL OF MAKIND.

 

·        God commanded that both mankind and the animals to __________________(rest) on the Sabbath proving once again that there is a connection between the two.

 

Exodus 20:9-10 says:

9 Six days you shall labor and do all your work, 10 but the seventh day is a Sabbath to the LORD your God. On it you shall not do any work, neither you, nor your son or daughter, nor your manservant or maidservant, nor your animals, nor the alien within your gates.

·        In Jonah 3:7-8, Like humanity, God also ordered humanity to wear sackcloth and mourn.

 

Jonah 3:7-8 says:

7 Then he issued a proclamation in Nineveh:
      "By the decree of the king and his nobles:
       Do not let any man or beast, herd or flock, taste anything; do not let them eat or drink. 8 But let man and beast be covered with sackcloth. Let everyone call urgently on God. Let them give up their evil ways and their violence.

·        God commanded the _________________(animal) kingdom along with __________________(humanity) to fast form drink and food.

Jonah 4:11 says:

11 But Nineveh has more than a hundred and twenty thousand people who cannot tell their right hand from their left, and many cattle as well. Should I not be concerned about that great city?"

·        When God sent Jonah to rescue Nineveh, God expressed his concern not only for the people in Nineveh but for it’s many cattle as well”.

 

·        Both people and animals were commanded to fast and put on Sackcloth – explicitly spiritual rituals.

 

·        All of Creation including animals are presently in a fallen state.

 

·        The Bible suggest that on the New Earth all of creation including the ___________________(animals) will be live in a ________________________(redeemed) state.

 

·        Many theologians believe because of the fall, many animals kill each other and even humans, but after the Jesus comes and creates the New Earth there will be no more __________________(death) even among the ________________________(Animal) Kingdom.

 

Isaiah 11:6-9 says:

 6 The wolf will live with the lamb,
       the leopard will lie down with the goat,
       the calf and the lion and the yearling [a] together;
       and a little child will lead them.

 7 The cow will feed with the bear,
       their young will lie down together,
       and the lion will eat straw like the ox.

 8 The infant will play near the hole of the cobra,
       and the young child put his hand into the viper's nest.

 9 They will neither harm nor destroy
       on all my holy mountain,
       for the earth will be full of the knowledge of the LORD
       as the waters cover the sea.

·        Isaiah 11:6-9 speaks of a coming glorious era on earth when the “leopard will lie down with the goat, the calf and the lion and the yearling together, and a little child will lead them.

 

·        The cow will feed with the bear, their young will lie down together, and the lion will eat straw like an ox.

 

·        The infant will play near the hole of the cobra, and the young child will put his hand in the viper’s nest.

 

·        Some Bible scholar contend that this passage speaks only of the Millennium 1000 year reighn, but Isaiah anticipates an eternal Kingdom of God on earth.

 

Isaiah 65:17 says:

 

 17 "Behold, I will create
       new heavens and a new earth.
       The former things will not be remembered,
       nor will they come to mind.

 

Isaiah 66:22 says:

 22 "As the new heavens and the new earth that I make will endure before me," declares the LORD, "so will your name and descendants endure.

·        These passages speak of the new earth.

 

·        Sandwiched before them is a reference very similar to that in Isaiah 11: “The wolf and the lamb will feed together, and the lion will eat straw like the ox….They neither harm nor destroy on all my holy mountain,’ says the Lord” (65:25)

 

·        QUESTION: When will there be no more harm or destruction on the earth?

 

·        ANSWER: Not on the old Earth or even the Millennium, which will end in rebellion and warfare, but on the New Earth, where there will be no more sin, death and suffering.

 

·        ON THE NEW EARTH, THERE WILL BE NO MORE DEATH AND PAIN.

 

Revelation 21:4 says:

4He will wipe every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away."

·        MANY THEOLOGIANS BELIEVE THIS PASSAGE EVEN APPLIES THE ANIMAL KINGDOM!

·        GOD ALWAYS HAS AND ALWAYS WILL HAVE A _____________________(PURPOSE) FOR THE ANIMALS – EVEN ON THE NEW EARTH!

·        God uses animals to _________________(fulfill) his Holy purposes.

 

  1. God ordered Ravens to feed Elijah.

 

1 Kings 17:4-6 says:

4 You will drink from the brook, and I have ordered the ravens to feed you there."

 5 So he did what the LORD had told him. He went to the Kerith Ravine, east of the Jordan, and stayed there. 6 The ravens brought him bread and meat in the morning and bread and meat in the evening, and he drank from the brook.

  1. God provided a great fish to swallow Jonah.

 

Jonah 1:17 says:

 17 But the LORD provided a great fish to swallow Jonah, and Jonah was inside the fish three days and three nights.

  1. God sent a fish with a coin in its mouth to teach his disciples a lesson

 

Matthew 17:27 says:

"Then the sons are exempt," Jesus said to him. 27"But so that we may not offend them, go to the lake and throw out your line. Take the first fish you catch; open its mouth and you will find a four-drachma coin. Take it and give it to them for my tax and yours."

D. God spoke through Balaam’s Donkey

 

Numbers 22 says:

 

1 Then the Israelites traveled to the plains of Moab and camped along the Jordan across from Jericho. [a]

 2 Now Balak son of Zippor saw all that Israel had done to the Amorites, 3 and Moab was terrified because there were so many people. Indeed, Moab was filled with dread because of the Israelites.

 4 The Moabites said to the elders of Midian, "This horde is going to lick up everything around us, as an ox licks up the grass of the field."
      So Balak son of Zippor, who was king of Moab at that time, 5 sent messengers to summon Balaam son of Beor, who was at Pethor, near the River, [b] in his native land. Balak said:
       "A people has come out of
Egypt; they cover the face of the land and have settled next to me. 6 Now come and put a curse on these people, because they are too powerful for me. Perhaps then I will be able to defeat them and drive them out of the country. For I know that those you bless are blessed, and those you curse are cursed."

 7 The elders of Moab and Midian left, taking with them the fee for divination. When they came to Balaam, they told him what Balak had said.

 8 "Spend the night here," Balaam said to them, "and I will bring you back the answer the LORD gives me." So the Moabite princes stayed with him.

 9 God came to Balaam and asked, "Who are these men with you?"

 10 Balaam said to God, "Balak son of Zippor, king of Moab, sent me this message: 11 'A people that has come out of Egypt covers the face of the land. Now come and put a curse on them for me. Perhaps then I will be able to fight them and drive them away.' "

 12 But God said to Balaam, "Do not go with them. You must not put a curse on those people, because they are blessed."

 13 The next morning Balaam got up and said to Balak's princes, "Go back to your own country, for the LORD has refused to let me go with you."

 14 So the Moabite princes returned to Balak and said, "Balaam refused to come with us."

 15 Then Balak sent other princes, more numerous and more distinguished than the first. 16 They came to Balaam and said:
       "This is what Balak son of Zippor says: Do not let anything keep you from coming to me, 17 because I will reward you handsomely and do whatever you say. Come and put a curse on these people for me."

 18 But Balaam answered them, "Even if Balak gave me his palace filled with silver and gold, I could not do anything great or small to go beyond the command of the LORD my God. 19 Now stay here tonight as the others did, and I will find out what else the LORD will tell me."

 20 That night God came to Balaam and said, "Since these men have come to summon you, go with them, but do only what I tell you."

Balaam's Donkey

 21 Balaam got up in the morning, saddled his donkey and went with the princes of Moab. 22 But God was very angry when he went, and the angel of the LORD stood in the road to oppose him. Balaam was riding on his donkey, and his two servants were with him. 23 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with a drawn sword in his hand, she turned off the road into a field. Balaam beat her to get her back on the road.

 24 Then the angel of the LORD stood in a narrow path between two vineyards, with walls on both sides. 25 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she pressed close to the wall, crushing Balaam's foot against it. So he beat her again.

 26 Then the angel of the LORD moved on ahead and stood in a narrow place where there was no room to turn, either to the right or to the left. 27 When the donkey saw the angel of the LORD, she lay down under Balaam, and he was angry and beat her with his staff. 28 Then the LORD opened the donkey's mouth, and she said to Balaam, "What have I done to you to make you beat me these three times?"

 29 Balaam answered the donkey, "You have made a fool of me! If I had a sword in my hand, I would kill you right now."

 30 The donkey said to Balaam, "Am I not your own donkey, which you have always ridden, to this day? Have I been in the habit of doing this to you?"
      "No," he said.

 31 Then the LORD opened Balaam's eyes, and he saw the angel of the LORD standing in the road with his sword drawn. So he bowed low and fell facedown.

 32 The angel of the LORD asked him, "Why have you beaten your donkey these three times? I have come here to oppose you because your path is a reckless one before me. [c] 33 The donkey saw me and turned away from me these three times. If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her."

 34 Balaam said to the angel of the LORD, "I have sinned. I did not realize you were standing in the road to oppose me. Now if you are displeased, I will go back."

 35 The angel of the LORD said to Balaam, "Go with the men, but speak only what I tell you." So Balaam went with the princes of Balak.

 36 When Balak heard that Balaam was coming, he went out to meet him at the Moabite town on the Arnon border, at the edge of his territory. 37 Balak said to Balaam, "Did I not send you an urgent summons? Why didn't you come to me? Am I really not able to reward you?"

 38 "Well, I have come to you now," Balaam replied. "But can I say just anything? I must speak only what God puts in my mouth."

 39 Then Balaam went with Balak to Kiriath Huzoth. 40 Balak sacrificed cattle and sheep, and gave some to Balaam and the princes who were with him. 41 The next morning Balak took Balaam up to Bamoth Baal, and from there he saw part of the people.

·        God sends an angel to stop Balaam from doing evil.

 

·        Balaam does not see the angel, but the donkey does.

 

·        She veers off the road, and Balaam beat hers.

 

·        The angel sees the donkey twice more.

 

·        Each time she veers off, and each time Balaam beats her.

 

·        Then God opened the donkeys mouth permitting her to verbalize what appear to be actual thoughts and feelings.

 

·        Finally God opens Balaam’s eyes to see the angel, who asks him, “Why have you beaten your donkey these three times?...If she had not turned away, I would certainly have killed you by now, but I would have spared her”.

 

·        Note that the angel says that the donkey saved Balaam’s life.

 

·        If she hadn’t, the angel would have killed Balaam while saving the donkey.

 

·        God sometimes protects animals while judging their human masters.

 

·        Animals, it appears, can have thoughts and feelings and can be responsive to realities in the spiritual realm that people are blind to.

 

·        Furthermore, God cares about the welfare of his animals and holds us accountable for them.

 

·        In Scripture God has linked Mankind and humanity together.

 

·        Some people accuse God of disrespect for animals because of the sacrificial system.

 

·        But it was only because animals, created with breath of life, are so loved by God and mankind that they qualify for the highest representative role imaginable: symbolizing God’s messianic Redeemer.

 

·        Lambs were often beloved pets.

 

·        It was because of their value that their sacrifice revealed sin’s horror and exorbitant cost of redemption.

 

·        Millions of lams were slaughtered in Israel’s history, each pointing to Christ redemptive work.

 

·        God created the animals for his ____________(purpose) to ___________________(serve) mankind.

 

1.  Elijah was taken up to Heaven in a chariot pulled by horses.

 

2 Kings 2:11 says:

11 As they were walking along and talking together, suddenly a chariot of fire and horses of fire appeared and separated the two of them, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind.

Revelation 6:2-8 says:

2I looked, and there before me was a white horse! Its rider held a bow, and he was given a crown, and he rode out as a conqueror bent on conquest.

 3When the Lamb opened the second seal, I heard the second living creature say, "Come!" 4Then another horse came out, a fiery red one. Its rider was given power to take peace from the earth and to make men slay each other. To him was given a large sword.

 5When the Lamb opened the third seal, I heard the third living creature say, "Come!" I looked, and there before me was a black horse! Its rider was holding a pair of scales in his hand. 6Then I heard what sounded like a voice among the four living creatures, saying, "A quart[a] of wheat for a day's wages,[b] and three quarts of barley for a day's wages,[c] and do not damage the oil and the wine!"

 7When the Lamb opened the fourth seal, I heard the voice of the fourth living creature say, "Come!" 8I looked, and there before me was a pale horse! Its rider was named Death, and Hades was following close behind him. They were given power over a fourth of the earth to kill by sword, famine and plague, and by the wild beasts of the earth.

2. There are horses in the intermediate heaven.

 

·        Revelation 19:11-14 says:

 

 11I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean.

 

2 Kings 6:17 says:

17 And Elisha prayed, "O LORD, open his eyes so he may see." Then the LORD opened the servant's eyes, and he looked and saw the hills full of horses and chariots of fire all around Elisha.

GOD CREATED THE ANIMALS FOR HIS GLORY!

Psalm 50:10-11 says:

10 for every animal of the forest is mine,
       and the cattle on a thousand hills.

 11 I know every bird in the mountains,
       and the creatures of the field are mine.

·        We need not speculate how God might populate a perfect earth.

 

·        He populated Eden with animals, under the rule of people.

 

·        Since God populated the earth with animals before the fall, we can expect He will _________________(populate) the New  Earth with animals when the dead in Christ are redeemed with new heavenly bodies.

 

·        God doesn’t make mistakes.

 

·        There’s every reason to believe God will ____________________(restore) this self proclaimed “________________ ________________” (very good) arrangement on the new earth.

 

·        We should expect the new earth to be a place where we’ll ____________________(fulfill) our calling to be faithful rulers and _____________________(stewards) of creation, including the animals.

 

 

·        LIKE HUMANITY, ANIMALS WILL ___________(PRAISE) AND _________________(WORSHIP) GOD ON THE NEW EARTH.

 

Psalm 148:1-14 says:

1 Praise the LORD. [a]
       Praise the LORD from the heavens,
       praise him in the heights above.

 2 Praise him, all his angels,
       praise him, all his heavenly hosts.

 3 Praise him, sun and moon,
       praise him, all you shining stars.

 4 Praise him, you highest heavens
       and you waters above the skies.

 5 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
       for he commanded and they were created.

 6 He set them in place for ever and ever;
       he gave a decree that will never pass away.

 7 Praise the LORD from the earth,
       you great sea creatures and all ocean depths,

 8 lightning and hail, snow and clouds,
       stormy winds that do his bidding,

 9 you mountains and all hills,
       fruit trees and all cedars,

 10 wild animals and all cattle,
       small creatures and flying birds,

 11 kings of the earth and all nations,
       you princes and all rulers on earth,

 12 young men and maidens,
       old men and children.

 13 Let them praise the name of the LORD,
       for his name alone is exalted;
       his splendor is above the earth and the heavens.

 14 He has raised up for his people a horn, [b]
       the praise of all his saints,
       of
Israel, the people close to his heart.
       Praise the LORD.

Revelation 5:13 says:

13Then I heard every creature in heaven and on earth and under the earth and on the sea, and all that is in them, singing:
   "To him who sits on the throne and to the Lamb
   be praise and honor and glory and power,
         for ever and ever!"

Revelation 4:7-9 says:

 In the center, around the throne, were four living creatures, and they were covered with eyes, in front and in back. 7The first living creature was like a lion, the second was like an ox, the third had a face like a man, the fourth was like a flying eagle. 8Each of the four living creatures had six wings and was covered with eyes all around, even under his wings. Day and night they never stop saying: "Holy, holy, holy is the Lord God Almighty, who was, and is, and is to come." 9Whenever the living creatures give glory, honor and thanks to him who sits on the throne and who lives for ever and ever,

 

Ezekiel 1:5-14 says:

5 and in the fire was what looked like four living creatures. In appearance their form was that of a man, 6 but each of them had four faces and four wings. 7 Their legs were straight; their feet were like those of a calf and gleamed like burnished bronze. 8 Under their wings on their four sides they had the hands of a man. All four of them had faces and wings, 9 and their wings touched one another. Each one went straight ahead; they did not turn as they moved.

 10 Their faces looked like this: Each of the four had the face of a man, and on the right side each had the face of a lion, and on the left the face of an ox; each also had the face of an eagle. 11 Such were their faces. Their wings were spread out upward; each had two wings, one touching the wing of another creature on either side, and two wings covering its body. 12 Each one went straight ahead. Wherever the spirit would go, they would go, without turning as they went. 13 The appearance of the living creatures was like burning coals of fire or like torches. Fire moved back and forth among the creatures; it was bright, and lightning flashed out of it. 14 The creatures sped back and forth like flashes of lightning.

Ezekiel 10:10-14 says:

 

10 As for their appearance, the four of them looked alike; each was like a wheel intersecting a wheel. 11 As they moved, they would go in any one of the four directions the cherubim faced; the wheels did not turn about [a] as the cherubim went. The cherubim went in whatever direction the head faced, without turning as they went. 12 Their entire bodies, including their backs, their hands and their wings, were completely full of eyes, as were their four wheels. 13 I heard the wheels being called "the whirling wheels." 14 Each of the cherubim had four faces: One face was that of a cherub, the second the face of a man, the third the face of a lion, and the fourth the face of an eagle.

 

Revelation 15:7 says:

7Then one of the four living creatures gave to the seven angels seven golden bowls filled with the wrath of God, who lives for ever and ever.

Genesis 3:24 says:

24 After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side [a] of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.

·        Once the curse is lifted, we’ll see more attributes of God in animals than we ever thought about.

 

·        Consider what’s visible in otters, dogs and countless other animals, God’s __________________(playfulness).

 

·        When Adam was created, God surrounded him with animals.

 

·        When Noah was delivered from the flood, God surrounded him with animals.

 

·        When Jesus was born, God surrounded him with animals.

 

·        When Jesus establishes the renewed earth, with renewed men and woman don’t you think he’ll surround himself with renewed animals for his glory?

 

QUESTION: WHAT IS THE BIG DEAL ABOUT THE ANIMALS?

 

ANSWER: GOD CREATED ANIMALS AND HE WILL REDEEM THEM FROM THE CURSE ALSO ALONG WITH HUMANITY – ANIMALS WILL LIVE WITH GOD ON THE NEW EARTH JUST LIKE WE WILL.

 

·        AS CHRISTIANS, WE NEED TO CELEBRATE GOD PLAN FOR ALL OF CREATION.

 

·        THE NEW EARTH WILL HAVE MOUNTAINS, TREES, RIVERS, ANIMALS AND HUMANS LIVING ON IT JUST LIKE THE OLD EARTH DOES, ONLY BETTER!

 

·        WE NEED TO CELEBRATE ALL OF GOD’S PLAN AND JUST NOT THE PART THAT INCLUDES US – HIS PLAN ALSO _____________________(INCLUDES) THE ANIMALS AND ALL LIVING CREATION!