Peace in the End

Let me start off by saying this day, Sunday May 18th, 2025, has been a day that I have felt particularly close to the Lord. It started very early with an hour-long conversation with a young man who is as close to me as a son, while he was driving to work.

We discussed Scripture, a little theology principle, and spiritual warfare. Then I called my best friend who is a preacher and prayed with him before he left for church. I was deep in prayer several times throughout the day. We attended our eldest grandson’s baccalaureate (I’m so very proud of him) and then returned home for a quiet and calm afternoon and evening.

Often when I have one of these days where I feel as though I’m walking side-by-side with the Lord, I become aware of truths that normally wouldn’t be noticed or given any thought.

We have an old dog, she is a giant breed (half Great Pyrenees and half Newfoundland), and at 13 she is very old for a giant breed. The past few days she has been secluding herself often, her breathing is rapid, and she sleeps most of the day.

Now If you have lived long enough and experienced death in animals and people, you will understand what I am going to say. When they get old enough and the end is near, a common trait will be observed. I will also include those who are severely wounded.

They will seek a sheltered place to be alone and as comfortable as possible to pass. Animals in the wild and captivity do this, and people do this in a similar fashion. It is very common to hear an elderly person on their death bed say something like, “I’m tired,” and close their eyes.

Often they are not sleepy; they are seeking a quietness of thought and comfort without the noise of the outside world. Having come close to death through the previous holiday season, this topic hits deeper than I have ever thought about it, and I have a much better understanding of its importance.

In case you have not read any of my other writings, allow me to clarify something—the word “peace” falls short in explaining what is being sought after here. “Peace” only means the lack of conflict. What is being sought is far better referenced as “shalom”.

This Hebrew word has a much deeper meaning than “peace”. “Shalom” is a sense of shelter and protection with a heaping dose of secureness and comfort. When the angel Gabriel spoke to the shepherds in the field, he spoke Hebrew and said, “Shalom and good will toward men”. Most Bible translations will use “peace” in the Old Testament, but the word should be “shalom”—a far deeper connotation than just a lack of conflict.

Are you beginning to understand what may be going on? What I am attempting to explain is that when death grows near, a quiet and safe place is naturally desired. Animals, more often than not, will wander away to die; many will go to what is called a “burial ground”, a secure and quiet place where they can lay down and die.

I believe, since we are all creations of God, that there is a correlation in this seeming universal seeking of security and quietness. Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you [read Shalom], my peace I give to you. Not as the world gives do I give to you. Let not your hearts be troubled, neither let them be afraid.” John 14:27

I think it is this peace we are seeking when death draws near. As I have taught many times, there seems to be an inner understanding in our spirit of spiritual things. I personally believe that it exists in all living things of God’s creation in some level. When the end is near, it is natural in creation to seek the security that Christ spoke of.

I have an absolute belief that animals sense the presence of God and the Holy Spirit. Far more often than not when I am praying and when I am feeling the presence of God, I will notice all of my animals surrounding me, and at other times they are scattered about.

When I am outside praying, there is a raven that will land close by in a tree and caw; I know in my heart this is no coincidence. All animals seem to be comforted by the presence of the spirit of God. Mark 16:15 And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.” Clearly this includes the animals and if the Word of God had no meaning to creation outside humanity, then there would be no purpose in this statement from Christ. Remember John 3:16 says, “For God so loved the world,” not just man.

I am not saying our pets go to Heaven, because I just don’t know, but what I am saying is evident in the Word—God is aware of them and loves them, and they are aware of God! Scripture teaches that God knows when a sparrow falls from a tree, that he feeds the birds, and that he clothes the lily of the valley. All of creation is aware of the Creator.

Have you not read that every knee shall bow? And every knee in all of creation—man and creature alike—will indeed bow before the Lord!

“Everyone out there, despite their claims to the contrary, knows perfectly well God exists!”

-R.C. Sproul

Kenneth Kellar
A Man Called by God to Teach and Disciple