For many watching events in Israel unfold, there is confusion over the red heifer, the building of the Third Temple and what role these elements play in biblical prophecy. The Bible describes the red heifer as part of purification rites in Numbers 19, while Jewish tradition holds that its ashes are necessary for restoring full ritual purity in Temple service. Many Christians are watching closely, seeking to understand what is happening from a biblical perspective.
The Temple Institute, which has been preparing vessels, garments and other requirements for the rebuilding of the Temple, addressed growing questions about whether the ashes of the red heifer are required before construction or offerings can begin.
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“Many people have been asking questions concerning the necessity of acquiring the ashes of the red heifer as a prerequisite for the building of the Holy Temple, or for the performing of offerings on the Temple Mount,” the Temple Institute wrote.
According to their statement, the absence of red heifer ashes is not an obstacle to public offerings or even Temple construction. “Time oriented offerings can be made even when Israel is in a state of impurity (tamei met—the impurity of contact with a corpse that only the ashes of the red heifer can purify),” the Institute explained. These include the daily Tamid offering, festival offerings, and the Passover sacrifice, which “take precedence over the issue of tum’at met.”
Personal sacrifices, however, remain restricted until purification is possible. “Personal offerings (sin offerings, thanksgiving offerings, etc.) cannot be made in a state of impurity, as they are not time bound,” the post stated.
The Temple Institute further noted that the lack of ashes does not prevent construction. “Construction of the Temple can also take place even in the absence of the ashes of the red heifer, when there is no other option. This actually took place during the building of the second Temple,” the statement said. Even repairs can be performed by artisans who are ritually impure if no pure workers are available.
At the same time, they emphasized the importance of eventually obtaining the ashes. “While the ashes of the red heifer are, indeed, a necessary prerequisite for a fully functioning Temple service, and while the efforts to achieve the ashes are moving steadily forward, a lack of the ashes does not present an impediment to the building of the Holy Temple or the renewal of the public, time oriented offerings.”
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As excitement and speculation continue to build, Christians are reminded to approach these developments with wisdom. The Bible warns that deception will be a hallmark of the last days. Now more than ever, believers are called to prayer, discernment and a firm rooting in the Word of God so “the deception of the devil does not lead us astray.”
James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
