There's a prevalent discussion on platforms like Facebook regarding the significance of Red Heifers in Israel, often tied to predictions about the re-institution of sacrificial practices, the construction of a third temple, and even apocalyptic scenarios.
I want to lovingly challenge this line of thinking.
The primary references to Red Heifers in the Bible are in the Torah, specifically in Leviticus 14 and Numbers 19. These passages describe a ceremonial process involving the sacrifice of a Red Heifer by the Levitical Priesthood to produce ashes to be used with the waters of separation for purification rituals, particularly for those who had come into contact with death. The symbolism here is profound: the ashes represent death, while the water symbolizes purification.
This ancient ritual, however, finds its ultimate fulfillment in Christ, as elucidated in the New Testament, particularly in the Book of Hebrews. The author of Hebrews underscores how the purification achieved through the ashes of a Red Heifer pales in comparison to the cleansing power of Christ's sacrifice. The Red Heifer, then, serves as a precursor or shadow of Christ's ultimate sacrifice, which purifies believers from sin.
"The blood of goats and bulls and the ashes of a heifer sprinkled on those who are ceremonially unclean sanctify them so that they are outwardly clean. How much more, then, will the blood of Messiah, who through the eternal Spirit offered himself unblemished to God, cleanse our consciences from acts that lead to death, so that we may serve the living God!" - Hebrews 9:14
Given this understanding, it's essential to recognize two key points:
The Torah passages concerning Red Heifers are fundamentally liturgical in nature, intended for ritual purification.
These rituals foreshadow the redemptive work of Christ.
In light of this, it's worth questioning why some well-intentioned Christians advocate for the reinstatement of practices that were fulfilled in Christ. Additionally, extending these texts to prophetic significance beyond Christ is a legitimate problem when the inspired writers of Scripture attribute Christ as the end (or telos) of the Law (Rom. 10:4).
While figures like Maimonides, a Jewish Rabbi, speculated about future Red Heifer sacrifices, their interpretations are not considered authoritative Scripture and should not be taken as such by Christians. Nevertheless, organizations like The Temple Institute have seized upon such speculations to advance their work, claiming significant developments, such as the arrival of Red Heifers from Texas, as signs of prophetic fulfillment.
You may think you’re doing something good by advocating for this. But I’d ask you to reconsider. Actually, what I think is far more likely is that your support of this is helping people who don’t believe in Christ's sacrifice re-institute a system that was fulfilled in Christ so that they can continue to deny Him as the Messiah.
I know there will be some who will say “May it never be! These are memorial sacrifices, not sacrifices that cleanse one of sin.” But, I want to lovingly challenge you: The people who are doing this work do not share that same view. Rabbi Yisrael Ariel, the founder of the Temple Institute, is an adherent of Rabbinic Judaism, not Christianity. He does not believe these are memorial sacrifices. He and those working there believe this is a necessary sacrifice to cleanse the priesthood so that they can resume temple sacrifice so that the presence of God would be among them again as it was prior to the temple's destruction in AD70.
For those who are interested in memorial sacrifices, purification, and the tabernacling presence of God, it can all be found in the church.
The memorial sacrifice of Jesus Christ happens every Lord’s Day in the universal church at the Lord’s Table. It is a sacramental meal that reminds us of Jesus' once and for all sacrifice as our Red Heifer. Baptism reminds us that He has cleansed us of our impurities. The church gathered is the Temple of God, and His presence can be found there every time we gather together (1 Cor. 6:19).
It also must be said that the church is not just a place for Gentiles. It's also a place where Jewish people should be welcomed as well. Saint Paul writes that through Jesus Christ, God has torn down the dividing wall of hostility between the two and has created one new man in Christ (Eph. 2:14).
That means that there are not seperate paths to salvation for the two of us — one for Jews and one for Gentiles. Being restored to God's presence is only found in Jesus, the Jewish Messiah who also saves Gentiles. The blood of bulls and goats could never take away sin, but they point to the one who can — Jesus.
I agree.
The reason it is interesting to me is that, as a dispensationalist, the temple will be rebuilt and the rituals around it resumed during the 7 year tribulation.
In other words, it’s getting closer and signifies fulfilled prophecy.
It is a Zionism without Christ and will be rejected by God.
Excellent post, especially this:
“Actually, what I think is far more likely is that your support of this is helping people who don’t believe in Christ's sacrifice re-institute a system that was fulfilled in Christ so that they can continue to deny Him as the Messiah.”