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Fallen Kingdom
by Wayne Hrenyk At the start, God created the plant kingdom, then the animals, and finally man to be a caretaker of both. Adam tilled the garden and named the animals. When he sinned and the curse came upon the earth, matters changed — and more then just weeds resulted. To clothe us from our shame, animals were killed. Though not guilty of the sin, animals have endured a portion of the curse upon humanity ever since. “For we know that the whole creation groans and labors with birth pangs together until now” (Romans 8:22). People have abused and misused each other, and the same charge can be made in our dealings with the animal kingdom. Thousands of animals were slaughtered by Roman gladiators, altogether for sport. Dogs were raised for the main purpose killing other dogs to entertain men. Roosters too have been used to fight with razors attached to their legs as weapons. With the Industrial Revolution and mass commercialism, dogs, cats, monkeys, rats, mice, and other animals were used for experimentation on items from cosmetics to household cleaners to cancer cures. These animals suffered while scientists sprayed bleach into their eyes to see what damage might happen. Is this what God envisioned when He created the world and the animals? In the Bible, God reveals His care for the animal kingdom. Beasts of burden were to be given a day off just like their owners (Exodus 23:12). Animals were given the Sabbath off (20:8-11). Resting our animals today reveals love, care, and responsibility that we should have, as God does! As Christians we have a responsibility to treat God’s creation with a healthy, spiritual respect. “You shall not plow with an ox and a donkey together” (Deuteronomy 22:10). And why not? Does this now show God’s concern for animals, because the donkey would be at a definite disadvantage? God did not intend for animals to suffer at the hands of men! God did not intend for man to use animals till they drop of exhaustion or to train animals to attack and kill other animals for sport. How about hunters who shoot animals, not for meat but for sport? Many deer carcasses have been left in the field with only the head taken for a trophy. How about those who hunt endangered animals like bears, lion, and tigers? Do we have the right to do to God’s creaturely kingdom the things we do today? Proverbs 12:10 states, “A righteous man regards the life of his animal, but the tender mercies of the wicked are cruel.” The truth is that the attitudes and behavior of God’s people toward animals should be far above that of evil and unbelieving people. There should be a Christian response as to how we care for and treat all of God’s creation. God’s plan for the new kingdom age is that man and animals will be restored to their previous nature: “The wolf also shall dwell with the lamb, the leopard shall lie down with the young goat, the calf and the young lion and the fatling together; and a little child shall lead them. The cow and the bear shall graze; their young ones shall lie down together; and the lion shall eat straw like the ox. The nursing child shall play by the cobra’s hole, and the weaned child shall put his hand in the viper’s den. They shall not hurt nor destroy in all My holy mountain, for the earth shall be full of the knowledge of the LORD as the waters cover the sea” (Isaiah 11:6-9). This suggests that God’s perfect will is that all the elements of God’s creation find a way to co-exist in peace and prosperity. What we need to see is that God requires that we act honorably with His animal creation. As God has authority over the world and the animals’ kingdom, He has placed that in the hands of people to act upon as God would. If we honor God, we should honor His creation. If we honor God, we are not going to abuse the animal kingdom, because God wouldn’t. We would not place animals above the station God has given them. Otherwise, we begin to worship the creature more then the Creator. At the same time, we should not abuse animals but love them in a way that represents a loving Creator.
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Past Issues ---- Archives 05-09
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