In the creation story of Genesis chapter one, God creates sea creatures and birds on the fifth day of the first week. On the sixth day, it is land animals and all other creatures. Scripture tells us that animals preceded the creation of humans. God created a special place for all the creatures. One has only to study the creativity in the creation of each animal species to recognize the perfect hand of God…in the sheer variety and beauty, even in the complex evolution of species. Life energy that is eternal, eternally self-creating, self promulgating, yet creative in its adaptability and complexity. Genesis chapter two gives us the reason that animals were created by God…so that the human Adam would not be alone and to help him. They actually were created before Eve as companions for Adam. God also gave the first human the privilege of naming all the animals and creatures.
The serpent spoke to Eve in Genesis chapter three, and she did not think it was unusual. It seems she was familiar with animals speaking, because she responded, and freely talked to the serpent. As good companions, it seems highly plausible that all the animals were able to communicate with Adam and Eve in the first garden. Only after being expelled from the garden, was the communication link broken, after Adam and Eve crossed the boundaries set by God for their protection. Relationship with the animals also changed after their relationship changed with God. Death entered the human and animal world for the very first time. The first death was a fur-bearing animal killed to clothe the humans. Another consequence of death…humans and animals became carnivores. However, everything in the Garden of Eden originally was created to live forever. So we have to wonder about the eternal possibilities of animals.
In the Old Testament, Numbers 22:22-35 records the story of the prophet Balaam’s donkey that spoke to him. In fact, the donkey was able to see the angel standing before them, and tried to avoid it. Balaam could not see the angel and punished the donkey for turning off the road. Balaam and the donkey have a conversation. The angel reprimands Balaam for having struck his donkey. The animal could see the supernatural where the prophet could not. One has to wonder about the spirituality of animals.
In the vision of Revelation chapter six there are horses described in heaven. In Revelations 5:11 there are “living creatures” surrounding the throne of God, along with angels and elders. The Greek word “ktisma” for creatures in 5:13 suggests an original formation or created thing. Could these also include the animals which were part of God’s original creation? It also states that every creature on earth, under the earth and in the sea was singing, suggesting that language is restored in eternity to all God’s creatures. In Revelation 19:11 Jesus is astride a white horse, along with the armies of heaven following on horses. If there are horses in heaven, why not other animals?