p. 149 | Animals on the New Earth by John Matteson

Pacific Seventh-day Adventist Publishing Association · Oakland, California · Apr 20, 1876

Animals on the New Earth.

By John Matteson

It is evident from the original plan of God that man is appointed to have dominion over every living thing that moveth upon the earth. Gen. 1:26-28. All must admit that this is the first dominion which God gave unto man. It is now lost through sin. Strife and animosity between man and beast has taken the place of that noble authority and peaceful reign first established. But God has promised that this first dominion, the kingdom of God, shall come again to the daughter of Jerusalem. Mic. 4:8. Those who keep the commandments of God, and wait for the second coming of Jesus, are the children of Jerusalem. Rev. 22:14; Gal. 4:26. To such the glorious prospect is nearing, when they shall be kings and priests and reign upon the earth. Rev. 5:10. And we know, with Peter, that our expectations of the kingdom in the new earth will be realized according to the promise of God. 2 Pet. 3:13. Therefore we are glad and rejoice that soon the wolf and the lamb shall feed together, and the lion eat straw like the bullock. Then shall they no more hurt nor destroy in all my holy mountain, saith the Lord. Isa. 65:25.

It has been a query with some how these living animals should be brought forth on the new earth, whether by resurrection or creation. This is decidedly and beautifully answered in Ps. 104:29-31. The animals shall come forth on the new earth by creation. Speaking of all kinds of animals David says: “Thou hidest thy face, they are troubled; thou takest away their breath, they die and return to their dust; thou sendest forth thy Spirit, they are created; and thou renewest the face of the earth. [Then] The glory of the Lord shall endure forever [in the new earth].”—John Matteson.