We’re hearing more and more about 5 red heifers that were shipped from Texas to Israel about a year ago. (Here is a recent article about that.) Certain Jewish leaders are very excited, believing those heifers will play a key role in reinstituting ritual purification when the Third Temple is built.

Jewish organizations such as Temple Institute and Ancient Shiloh have been preparing the ornaments, utensils and priestly garments for the Third Temple for decades. They have diagrams of the new temple, priests are in training for Temple service, and plans are made for how it will all take place. So the arrival of red heifers on the scene is very exciting. One Jewish leader said:

“We are yearning for the Temple, and suddenly there is a red heifer here, and we understand what that means…something is about to happen.” 

Indeed, something is about to happen, but as Christians, perhaps we should look on with caution, for at least three reasons:

1. What is it that is about to happen? Jews are looking toward the rebuilding of the Temple and reinstitution of the sacrificial system. Those things will indeed happen, but our Christian perspective is a bit different. The long-awaited Third Temple will not be built until the Antichrist arrives on the scene to cut a covenant with the Jewish people. We (believers) will be gone!
2. While they await what they believe to be the Messiah’s first coming, we are awaiting the Second Coming. Our “finish line” is in a different place, thus the Third Temple holds no significance to us. In fact, it will become a defiled temple very quickly when the Antichrist sits on the throne and demands to be worshipped!
3. So much has been added to the Biblical description of red heifers and their use in ritual purification. The Mosaic law described in Numbers 19 mandates a red heifer without blemish and never yoked. Later, the Talmud added requirements such as the type of rope to be used in handling the heifers and the direction they are to face during slaughter. Rabbinic law embellished the requirements even further, indicating the animals must never have been leaned on, had birds nest upon them, or have any black or white hairs. That only illustrates the impact law has, even on religious leaders.

So, how excited should we be regarding red heifers? Being interested in such things is not a salvation issue, so is not worth arguing about. However, it seems to me that followers of Jesus often get sidetracked by the “shiny objects” Satan tosses out to distract us from what is most important.

I find it difficult to get excited about a Third Temple and all the trappings (including red heifers) when we know that temple will be used for vile purposes. With great respect to our Jewish friends and their excitement about their long-awaited Temple, the point of reference is much different. While we see Jesus Christ as the fulfillment of all God’s promises, most practicing Jews see the Third Temple as fulfillment of God’s promises. Fulfillment is in the Person of Jesus Christ, not in an object.

In comparison, the Jewish people view the exodus from Egypt as their salvation moment (and, in a sense, it was physically). That’s why Jewish people look to Moses and the exodus as an anchor of their faith. As Christians, we see Jesus becoming the sacrificial lamb of God in that scenario. Better to see the substance than the shadow. (Colossians 2:16-17)

The same is true looking forward. The Jews see a rebuilt temple, we see Jesus finally redeeming His people once they see the Antichrist for who he really is.

Looking to things such as red heifers, blood moons and other signs (often misinterpreted) of the Tribulation, I prefer to look closer on the horizon! I’m looking for Jesus!