A heated discussion has emerged after last month’s red heifer ceremony in Israel raised questions about whether the genuine sacrifice really took place—or if the long-anticipated ritual is still yet to come.
Bible prophecy teacher Mondo Gonzales addressed the issue on “The Week in Bible Prophecy,” noting that confusion has grown because Byron Stinson, who is at the center of the event, used different descriptions of what actually happened.
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The first thing worth noting is that the supply of heifers has not run out. Gonzales said Stinson believes there are at least two, possibly three, still meeting the requirements, with more even in Texas. He also broke down Stinson’s statements that have perplexed many as to whether or not the ceremony that took place was a practice run or the real thing.
“At first he said it was a practice,” Gonzales explained. “And then later he says it was a real ceremony. That’s what’s causing a lot of the reaction amongst people watching prophecy.”
So which is it? Gonzales emphasized that in one sense, both statements are true.
“It was a real ceremony in that it was a real heifer. It was done by a real priest, a Cohen, who was purified … one who never became impure,” he said. “The rabbis were there. It wasn’t just this gentile Christian guy doing it. They did it in Samaria. So it was a real ceremony done according to the Torah.”
Yet, he was quick to add, this does not mean the prophetic requirements for rebuilding the Temple have been fully met.
“…it was not done on the Mount of Olives,” Gonzales said. “He said, ashes used to purify the priests for the building of the temple would be best from the ashes done on the Mount of Olives ceremony. There will be more ceremonies.”
For Christians excited about prophecy, Gonzales cautioned against jumping ahead of the process. “People are running out and saying, ‘It’s done. Here we are. Prophecy is being fulfilled.’ I want to say, hold on a minute,” he warned.
The distinction lies in how rabbinic Judaism interprets both the written Torah and the oral traditions contained in the Mishnah. “For a rabbinic Jewish person, the Bible and the Mishnah are equal,” Gonzales noted. “The Mishnah says more than one non-red hair in the same follicle disqualifies a heifer. And it says crystal clear it has to be on the Mount of Olives.”
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That means while this ceremony was “real,” it did not qualify to produce the ashes needed for Temple purification. The Mount of Olives requirement cannot be bypassed.
Still, the event has generated momentum. “One of the things Byron is doing is he is very eager—he’ll tell you, ‘I’m not here to sit around. God wants us to be people of action,’” Gonzales said. “He is looking to create more interest in building the third temple.”
For now, prophecy watchers are left in anticipation. The red heifer ceremony has stirred global attention, but the final fulfillment on the Mount of Olives is still to come.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
