Greetings in the precious Name of our Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ.

Thank you for your letter.

Yes, I also am greatly grieved by the suffering of innocent animals. Of course they do not deserve this.

Animals suffer because of the Fall of man into sin. It is human depravity and rebellion against the Laws of God that has led to the entrance and prevalence of evil throughout the world.

“How long will the land lie parched and the grass in every field be withered? Because those who live in it are wicked, the animals and birds have perished.” Jeremiah 12:4

I do understand your frustration. And I share it. The innocent all too often suffer because of the guilty. Jesus himself was called the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world. The just, who suffered in the place of the unjust.

Animals are suffering today because of the Fall of man into sin. However, the second Adam (Christ) is greater than the first Adam. The blessings that flow from the Salvation achieved by Jesus Christ will be far greater than the corruption, sin and destruction caused by the Fall and rebellion of the first Adam.

Just as animals suffered because of man’s sin, so animals benefit because of the Redemption of Christ. The Ark that God commanded Noah to build is just one of many proofs of how God cares for His animals.

Many more animals were saved in the Ark than people. I'm sure Heaven will be the same.

Please see an article that I wrote on How Can a Good God Allow Evil?

Ideas and actions have consequences. All suffering ultimately is a result of mankind’s sin and rebellion against Almighty God. There was no suffering, or death, prior to sin.

We do take tremendous comfort in the fact that God will one day put all things right. There is a Day of Judgment coming and Jesus Christ is the Resurrection and the Life.

It is God’s will that all of Creation will be brought together (Ephesians 1:10). The animals will enjoy eternal life (Isaiah 11:6-9; Isaiah 32:16-17). The day will come when every creature, all living beings in the universe, will be brought together under God’s love and protection (Revelation 5:13).

May the Lord continue to be your joy and strength.

Yours for all God’s creatures

Dr. Peter Hammond

Director