In this film we can see a few parallels between the city, Zootopia, and the New Jerusalem that we are longing for. Of course, it’s not perfect, so we’ll also point out some of the ways it is unlike the New Jerusalem.
The Lion and the Lamb are together without fear. In the World to Come, the predators will not eat the prey, but they will both eat vegetation. (Isaiah 11:5-7) However, as was seen later in the film, there was still some fear of predators in the hearts of the prey. There was distrust between them, probably because they were stronger and because of the history of predators and prey. In Eternity, we will not fear each other. We will know each other and trust each other because we will all have the same Lord. (Revelation 7:9-10)
“Zootopia: Where anyone can be anything!” Judy wanted to be a police officer, but everyone told her that it was impossible because she’s a rabbit. She did it anyway. Judy sure showed them! I’m actually going to say this is NOT like God’s Kingdom on Earth, we are all given certain talents, characteristics and callings. They are given to us by God. And they are given for a reason: to equip the saints and build up the body. (Ephesians 4:11-12) However, it’s not quite clear if this will be the case in Eternity. If you read the next verse of that passage in Ephesians you’ll see that we are given these roles now, but it’s only until we attain the fullness that is coming in Christ, i.e. our life in Eternity. (Ephesians 4:13) It may be that we will be able to “be anything”. I do know that in everything that we do, it will be for God’s glory, not our own.
All are welcome in Zootopia. All animals are welcome, none were turned away on account of their “Dina”, that is, their DNA. In God’s Kingdom, no one is turned away because of their past, and they certainly aren’t turned away for their DNA. The fact is, regardless of where we trace our ancestries through, every last one of us leads back to Noah, and before him back to our original sinning grand parents Adam and Eve. (Galatians 3:28, Revelation 7:9)
Zootopia itself is a city that is made to be comfortable for everyone. It has a desert zone, a tundra zone, a Rain-forest zone, etc. It reminds me of the end of the C. S. Lewis Chronicles of Narnia (Spoiler alert) [When the new city comes, it looks like Narnia, Great Britain and many other cities/lands all together. Zootopia is like that, too. Though we can’t know for sure from Scripture, we can know that the place Jesus is preparing for us will be comfortable for everyone in the Kingdom. (1 Corinthians 2:9)
Discussion Starters:
- Wasn’t is good seeing animals that usually don’t get along living and working side-by-side in Zootopia? Did you know that Eternity will be like that as well? Creditors and prey will live in peace. Not only that, but people from every culture will come together as one like family, with no fear, stereotyping or mistrust. (Isaiah 11:5-7, Galatians 2:28, Revelation 7:9-10)
- Judy wanted to be a police officer, and when Nick was little, he wanted to be a Junior Ranger Scout, which predators weren’t allowed to join. Zootopia is a city where “Anyone can be anything!” If you could be anything, what would you be? Did you know that each of us has special talents and abilities that were given to us by God to fulfill His purposes on Earth? What do you think some of your talents are? What have people told you you’re good at? Has anyone ever told you you COULDN’T be or do something? (Ephesians 4:11-12)
- Zootopia is a city with many different zones, like the snow zone, the desert zone and the rain forest zone. This is so that different types of characters could all live together and still be comfortable and healthy. Jesus is preparing a place for us to live in Forever, and there will be a new city there called New Jerusalem, which means City of Peace. What do you think it will be like, considering it will have people from everywhere in the world living in it? (John 14:1-3, Revelation 7:9)