The Impending Sacrifice of the Red Heifers

The red heifer (Hebrew: פָּרָה אֲדֻמָּה, romanized: pārā ʾădummā), a female bovine which has never been pregnant or milked or yoked, also known as the red cow, was a cow brought to the priests as a sacrifice according to the Torah, and its ashes were used for the ritual purification of corpse uncleanness, that is, an Israelite who had come into contact with a human corpse, human bone, or grave. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Red_heifer

Intro

What does a red heifer have to do with the end times? September 2022, five red heifers were flown from the state of Texas to the land of Israel. Since that time, one of them has been disqualified, but the other four continue to be candidates for a red heifer sacrifice.

The old tradition of sacrificing red heifers is happening again in Jerusalem, and it’s getting a lot of people talking about what it means in the Bible. This important ceremony, mentioned in the Book of Numbers, is seen as a key step to get ready for building the Third Temple. So sit back as we dive into the topics of end times prophecies.

Red Heifers: A Symbol of Cleanliness In Jewish Worship

The red heifer is another symbol of Christ’s sacrifice. Like the red heifer, Jesus was “without blemish.” He was sinless. He spoke without malice. God’s spotless sacrifice.

The red heifer is really important for being clean in a spiritual way. The Book of Numbers tells us that a perfect red heifer has to be sacrificed, and its ashes are used to make people and things pure. This special ceremony helps everyone be ready and able to join in worship at the temple.

The concept of a red heifer stems from the book of Numbers in the Hebrew Bible. It states that a perfect red heifer, with no blemish or defect, is required for a specific purification ceremony. The heifer is to be sacrificed and burned, and its ashes are mixed with water to create a solution called the “water of purification.”

This water of purification was used to cleanse individuals who had come into contact with a dead body, which was considered a source of impurity. By undergoing this purification process, individuals were able to restore their spiritual cleanliness and engage in worship activities.

According to Jewish tradition, nine red heifers have been sacrificed since the time of Moses. However, no red heifers have been sacrificed since the destruction of the second temple. Rabbi Maimonides, who lived in the 12th century, predicted that the Messiah would personally sacrifice the tenth red heifer.

With the anticipation of building a third temple, people are searching for a red heifer that meets all the requirements, as its ashes will be needed to purify the new temple.

Some believe that the appearance of a red heifer will signal Jesus’ return and the beginning of temple construction. Notably, a perfect red heifer was born in Israel in August 2018, as reported by the Temple Institute, a group advocating for the construction of a third temple.

Since the early days of the Christian church, believers have been anticipating the return of Christ, dating back to the Apostle Paul’s letters to the Thessalonian church in A.D. 51. In these letters, Paul discusses Christ’s second coming, which has been a focal point for many Christians throughout history.

Some believers place significant emphasis on the events they believe will occur around the time of Jesus’ return, drawing from their interpretation of biblical signs and prophecies. The appearance of unblemished red heifers, a rare occurrence not seen in 2,000 years, holds particular significance.

Orthodox Jews, desiring to rebuild the third temple and reinstate ancient sacrificial practices, require red heifers for these rituals to resume. For some Christians, the presence of a biblically prescribed “perfect” red heifer signifies more than just the restoration of temple rituals—it signals the culmination of the age.

Do Red Heifers Have End Times Signifacnce?

For Christians who believe in End Times prophecy, the arrival of even one red heifer approved by rabbis in Jerusalem is seen as a sign that the rapture could happen very soon. According to this belief, the construction of a third temple will occur during the End Times, initiating a series of prophesied events.

The upcoming total solar eclipse on April 8, 2024, is another major prophetic sign. God is sending a warning to His people, are you listening? These are the signs and wonders Jesus told us to be on the lookout for.

For Jewish believers, the arrival of a red heifer is seen as a sign that the Messiah is coming. According to Jewish tradition, only nine flawless red heifers were used from the time of the Tabernacle to A.D.70, when the second temple was destroyed by Roman soldiers.

The potential arrival of a tenth perfect red heifer brings hope for the Messiah’s arrival and the reconstruction of the temple. Jewish scholar Maimonides believed that the tenth red heifer would only be found and sacrificed when the King Messiah was ready to appear.

What Does the Bible Teach about Jesus’ Sacrifice?

For Christians, Hebrews 4:14 highlights Jesus as both the Messiah and the Great High Priest, while Hebrews 9:11-14 elaborates on his qualifications as a high priest. Christ is depicted as the high priest of “the good things that have come…through the greater and more perfect tent,” having entered through his own blood as our ultimate sacrifice.

Unlike the blood of goats, bulls, or a red heifer, Jesus’ redemptive work is complete and eternal. Hebrews 4:13-14 emphasizes this point, stating, “For if the blood of goats and bulls…sanctify…how much more will the blood of Christ…purify our conscience.”

When we combine this passage with John 19:30, where Jesus declares “It is finished,” we question the need to rebuild a temple and reinstate sacrifices. While we await answers, we are called to obey and fulfill our role as ambassadors of the gospel until Jesus returns for his bride, the church (Luke 19:13, 2 Corinthians 5:20).

Scripture explicitly contrasts the red heifer ceremony with the sacrifice of Jesus Christ. He fulfilled all the requirements of the law, and His sacrifice provides true forgiveness and life eternal.

A Call To Action

I want to share a message that’s been heavy on my heart. It’s a call to repentance, to turn away from our sins and come back to Jesus. I truly believe that Jesus is giving us signs that His return is near. When we look at the state of the world, it’s hard to deny that something significant is happening.

As true Christians, it’s crucial to know and follow God’s Word, paying attention to the signs and wonders Jesus talked about that are happening worldwide. Bible prophecy is unfolding before our eyes, and it’s an exciting time to be alive.

The Rapture could happen at any moment, so we need to be prepared. We must repent of our sins and share the news with others. We shouldn’t be afraid of what’s to come; instead, we should trust in Him.

Let’s humble ourselves before Him, repent of our sins, and be ready for His return. The signs are all around us, and it’s clear that the end of the age is approaching. Jesus is coming for His church, so let’s be prepared, praying and repenting as we stay grounded in God’s Word and remain watchful at all times.