The Red Heifer Sacrifice ... and its import to the 3rd Jewish Temple

[brb3]

Simply amazing. This is timeless, ancient Jewish Tradition … rooted in Scriptures, which is of paramount importance to both Jewish and Christian theology. Catholics need to become experts on this matter. I’m just learning of this in last few days … so I need others here to bring me up to speed on the full implications of this key Mosaic sacrifice, which has continued down thru the ages, last performed in early 70 AD, and awaiting the building of the 3rd Temple.

Some subject matters of interest :

1. Numbers 19:1-10 Now the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron, " This is the statute of the law which the Lord has COMMANDED: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a RED HEIFER WITHOUT DEFECT, in which there is NO BLEMISH, and upon which a YOKE HAS NEVER COME. And you shall give HER to Eleazar the priest, and SHE shall be taken OUTSIDE THE CAMP AND SLAUGHTERED before him; and Eleazar the priest shall take some of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of her blood toward the front of the TENT OF MEETING seven times. And the heifer shall be burned in his sight; her skin, her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall be burned; and the priest shall take cedarwood and hyssop and scarlet stuff, and cast them into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Then the priest shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterwards he shall come into the camp; and the priest shall be UNCLEAN UNTIL EVENING. He who burns the heifer shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his body in water, and shall be unclean until evening. And a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place; and they shall be KEPT FOR THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL for the water for impurity, for the REMOVAL OF SIN. And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and shall be unclean until evening. And this shall be to the people of Israel, and TO THE STRANGER WHO SOJOURNS AMONG THEM, a PERPETUAL STATUTE."

So, here we see the TYPOLOGY of Red Heifer’s revelance to Christ & Cross.

1. The Heifer was scarlet and w/o blemish or sin.
2. The Heifer had never before had a Yoke upon it … yet we know the ‘yoke’ of the cross was placed upon Him, being made to bear it in transit to Golgotha.
3. Christ too was given up to the High Priest, who had him killed … outside the Temple Mount, outside of Jerusalem proper.
4. The blood of the heifer purified the people, when they were Baptized by it.
5. The contact with the ashes [mankind’s sins of death] … made the priest unclean, for a period of time.
6. The heifer’s ashes, now devoid of sin, [the sin being transfered upon the priest], … now make the water [of baptism] clean… unto the people whom it touches.
7. This Covenant of God regarding the Red Heifer applied BOTH to the Jews, and Gentiles sojourning among them.
8. Jewish Christian … Barnabas, in Epistle of Barnabas, wrote in 120 AD on the Typology aspects of Red Heifer Sacrifice.

---

Several interesting aspects regarding the Red Heifer.

1. It was FEMALE, not MALE ! Does this mean it can’t typify Christ ? NO. We are neither male nor female IN CHRIST. Furthermore, the H.S. clearly possesses ‘mothering’ care for the faithful.
2. Also, a young female is also considered more sinless than an older bull or steer … in the eyes of the OT peoples.
3. The Red Heifer sacrifice was seldom used by the Jews thruout history. Always used to purify the Temples … 1st and 2nd ones, and will again be needed to purify the coming 3rd Jewish Temple.
4. Moses Maimonides [1200 AD Jewish Holy Man/Priest extrodinare’] wrote it has only been used 9 X’s to date. And the 10th and final time will be to bless/purify the 3rd Temple.
   The 9th time the Red Heifer was sacrificed was in 70AD, just before the Temple fell to the Romans. # 1 was with Moses & Eleazar, #2 by Solomon, #3 by Prophet/Priest Ezra for Temple #2, the rest occurred til time of Christ, with final 9th in 70 AD.
5. The ashes of the Red Heifer were always preserved in an clay urn, and kept until the next occasion when another Red Heifer was sacrificed. The new ashes were mixed with some of the original Mosaic / Eleazar heifer ashes … to ensure their purity. This continued on down thru the eons, til the 9th heifer’s ashes were collected and stored in an urn. This urn was buried to protect, and Jewish Archeologist are diligently searching to uncover them … in order to purifiy the 3rd Temple - per Tradition. Scripture does not call for their saving and recovery … but, the Jews have always done so, to have some of the Original mixed into the new.
6. The Copper Scroll from Cave 3 - Qumran, confirms the details on the Red Heifer purification, its last use in 70 AD., and its safe burial in an urn … with directions as to how to recover it.
7. The Prophet Ezekiel prophesied in regards to the 3rd Temple, and essential need for it to be purified by the waters cleansed by the Red Heifer Sacrifice.
8. Pure Red Heifers w/o blemish are very rare. Israel is actively using animal breeding techniques to produce a pure red heifer. In 1997, they were successful and it was reported in Israel’s newpress. Not a SINGLE hair on the bovine can be black, white, or grey. 100% red hair follicles // is the requirement. And, must be between age of 2-4. yrs.

 

[SemperReformada]

Simply amazing. This is timeless, ancient Jewish Tradition … rooted in Scriptures, which is of paramount importance to both Jewish and Christian theology. Catholics need to become experts on this matter. I’m just learning of this in last few days … so I need others here to bring me up to speed on the full implications of this key Mosaic sacrifice, which has continued down thru the ages, last performed in early 70 AD, and awaiting the building of the 3rd Temple.

Some subject matters of interest :

1. Numbers 19:1-10 Now the Lord said to Moses and to Aaron, " This is the statute of the law which the Lord has COMMANDED: Tell the people of Israel to bring you a RED HEIFER WITHOUT DEFECT, in which there is NO BLEMISH, and upon which a YOKE HAS NEVER COME. And you shall give HER to Eleazar the priest, and SHE shall be taken OUTSIDE THE CAMP AND SLAUGHTERED before him; and Eleazar the priest shall take some of her blood with his finger, and sprinkle some of her blood toward the front of the TENT OF MEETING seven times. And the heifer shall be burned in his sight; her skin, her flesh, and her blood, with her dung, shall be burned; and the priest shall take cedarwood and hyssop and scarlet stuff, and cast them into the midst of the burning of the heifer. Then the priest shall wash his clothes and bathe his body in water, and afterwards he shall come into the camp; and the priest shall be UNCLEAN UNTIL EVENING. He who burns the heifer shall wash his clothes in water and bathe his body in water, and shall be unclean until evening. And a man who is clean shall gather up the ashes of the heifer, and deposit them outside the camp in a clean place; and they shall be KEPT FOR THE CONGREGATION OF ISRAEL for the water for impurity, for the REMOVAL OF SIN. And he who gathers the ashes of the heifer shall wash his clothes, and shall be unclean until evening. And this shall be to the people of Israel, and TO THE STRANGER WHO SOJOURNS AMONG THEM, a PERPETUAL STATUTE."

So, here we see the TYPOLOGY of Red Heifer’s revelance to Christ & Cross.

1. The Heifer was scarlet and w/o blemish or sin.
2. The Heifer had never before had a Yoke upon it … yet we know the ‘yoke’ of the cross was placed upon Him, being made to bear it in transit to Golgotha.
3. Christ too was given up to the High Priest, who had him killed … outside the Temple Mount, outside of Jerusalem proper.
4. The blood of the heifer purified the people, when they were Baptized by it.
5. The contact with the ashes [mankind’s sins of death] … made the priest unclean, for a period of time.
6. The heifer’s ashes, now devoid of sin, [the sin being transfered upon the priest], … now make the water [of baptism] clean… unto the people whom it touches.
7. This Covenant of God regarding the Red Heifer applied BOTH to the Jews, and Gentiles sojourning among them.
8. Jewish Christian … Barnabas, in Epistle of Barnabas, wrote in 120 AD on the Typology aspects of Red Heifer Sacrifice.

---

Several interesting aspects regarding the Red Heifer.

1. It was FEMALE, not MALE ! Does this mean it can’t typify Christ ? NO. We are neither male nor female IN CHRIST. Furthermore, the H.S. clearly possesses ‘mothering’ care for the faithful.
2. Also, a young female is also considered more sinless than an older bull or steer … in the eyes of the OT peoples.
3. The Red Heifer sacrifice was seldom used by the Jews thruout history. Always used to purify the Temples … 1st and 2nd ones, and will again be needed to purify the coming 3rd Jewish Temple.
4. Moses Maimonides [1200 AD Jewish Holy Man/Priest extrodinare’] wrote it has only been used 9 X’s to date. And the 10th and final time will be to bless/purify the 3rd Temple.
   The 9th time the Red Heifer was sacrificed was in 70AD, just before the Temple fell to the Romans. # 1 was with Moses & Eleazar, #2 by Solomon, #3 by Prophet/Priest Ezra for Temple #2, the rest occurred til time of Christ, with final 9th in 70 AD.
5. The ashes of the Red Heifer were always preserved in an clay urn, and kept until the next occasion when another Red Heifer was sacrificed. The new ashes were mixed with some of the original Mosaic / Eleazar heifer ashes … to ensure their purity. This continued on down thru the eons, til the 9th heifer’s ashes were collected and stored in an urn. This urn was buried to protect, and Jewish Archeologist are diligently searching to uncover them … in order to purifiy the 3rd Temple - per Tradition. Scripture does not call for their saving and recovery … but, the Jews have always done so, to have some of the Original mixed into the new.
6. The Copper Scroll from Cave 3 - Qumran, confirms the details on the Red Heifer purification, its last use in 70 AD., and its safe burial in an urn … with directions as to how to recover it.
7. The Prophet Ezekiel prophesied in regards to the 3rd Temple, and essential need for it to be purified by the waters cleansed by the Red Heifer Sacrifice.
8. Pure Red Heifers w/o blemish are very rare. Israel is actively using animal breeding techniques to produce a pure red heifer. In 1997, they were successful and it was reported in Israel’s newpress. Not a SINGLE hair on the bovine can be black, white, or grey. 100% red hair follicles // is the requirement. And, must be between age of 2-4. yrs.

You seem to think re-establishing animal sacrifice is a good thing. Could you answer to (not so simple) questions?

1.) Why do you think the Jews re-establishing a system of animal sacrifice is a good thing?

2.) Is there anything in Catholic thought prior to the 20th century that indicates that the Catholic Church believed re-establishing animal sacrifice would be pleasing to God?

 

[juliamajor]

You seem to think re-establishing animal sacrifice is a good thing. Could you answer to (not so simple) questions?

1.) Why do you think the Jews re-establishing a system of animal sacrifice is a good thing?

2.) Is there anything in Catholic thought prior to the 20th century that indicates that the Catholic Church believed re-establishing animal sacrifice would be pleasing to God?

Their is nothing in catholic thought that would justify that.Since the blood of animals is not as effective as Christ’s blood why would you want to go backwards?

 

[brb3]

1.) Why do you think the Jews re-establishing a system of animal sacrifice is a good thing?

2.) Is there anything in Catholic thought prior to the 20th century that indicates that the Catholic Church believed re-establishing animal sacrifice would be pleasing to God?

Its Typology … pointing to Christ … for the Catholic / Christian. For the Jewish non-Christian, its their sacred heritage, their lost tradition. The OT & NT scriptures are very clear that the 3rd Temple is a fact. Christians cannot ignore it or explain it away. We need to understand it … as it helps us be better apologists to those Jews having only OT roots.

The interesting aspect of this is that the Orthodox Jews ACCEPT those Christians who believe in the 3rd Temple. Their understanding of Scripture tells them that the GENTILES will help them usher in the 3rd Temple and have a part in the ‘Later Days’. Thus, they are allowing us to assist them in the discovery efforts … and sharing their secrets with those who believe and worship their God.

 

[brb3]

Their is nothing in catholic thought that would justify that.Since the blood of animals is not as effective as Christ’s blood why would you want to go backwards?

Sometimes mankind needs to step backwards … in order to ‘re-tread’ those steps they missed in 33 AD. The 3rd Temple will be the re-awakening for the Orthodox Jews. Their epiphany regarding Christ, their rejected Messiah.

We need to understand the OT from the Jewish perspective, in order to help them see the Typology re: Christ. Paul sure tried, and some had their eyes opened back them. Yet few do today.

Its been said that only a few hundred Christian Jews live in Israel today. They need the full support of the Catholic Church to help them witness to their brethren.

 

[GEddie]

You seem to think re-establishing animal sacrifice is a good thing. Could you answer to (not so simple) questions?

1.) Why do you think the Jews re-establishing a system of animal sacrifice is a good thing?

2.) Is there anything in Catholic thought prior to the 20th century that indicates that the Catholic Church believed re-establishing animal sacrifice would be pleasing to God?

I’m not the op, this is just my MX$2 worth:

1. The Jews themselves want this, because it completes their religion. I recall a Rabbi stating once that “since the Christian year 70 we have had no means to purify our sins.”

As long as they lack the temple they can say that is what they need. Maybe once they have it again they will sense that it is really a WHO they need?

1. No, because Christendom up until modern times believed that it “replaced” Judaism in the covenant.

ICXC NIKA

 

[brb3]

I’m not the op, this is just my MX$2 worth:

1. The Jews themselves want this, because it completes their religion. I recall a Rabbi stating once that “since the Christian year 70 we have had no means to purify our sins.”

As long as they lack the temple they can say that is what they need. Maybe once they have it again they will sense that it is really a WHO they need?

1. No, because Christendom up until modern times believed that it “replaced” Judaism in the covenant.

ICXC NIKA

Good ideas

Isaiah, the prophet who best prophesied on Christ …says thusly, in his FINAL words on the ‘Last Days’ — for both Jews & Gentiles.

Isaiah 66:18-21 "… and I am coming to GATHER ALL NATIONS AND TONGUES; and they shall come and see my glory, and I will set a sign among them. And from them I WILL SEND SURVIVORS TO THE NATIONS, to Tarshish, Put, and Lud, who draw the bow, to Tubal and Javan, to the coastlands afar off " ---- the North/South American & Pacific Island Indians/Eskimos/Natives … no doubt]; ---- “and they shall declare my glory among the nations. And they shall bring all your brethren from ALL THE NATIONS AS AN OFFERING TO THE LORD, upon horses, and upon mules, and upon dromedaries, to MY HOLY MOUNTAIN JERUSALEM, says the Lord, just as the Israelites bring THEIR CEREAL OFFERING IN A CLEAN VESSEL TO THE HOUSE of The LORD. And SOME OF THEM also I will TAKE FOR PRIESTS AND FOR LEVITES, says the LORD.”

 

[PeterK]

A 3rd temple also has significant political advantages.

PeterK

 

[brb3]

And once the 3rd Temple is built and houses the Ark … the prophets tell us the Jews will realize/acknowledge Christ as King, and no longer have need for the Ark of Covenant.

Jeremiah 3:15-18 "And I will give you shepherds after my own heart, who will feed you with knowledge and understanding. And when you have multiplied and increased in the land, in those days, says the LORD, THEY SHALL NO MORE SAY, “The ark of the covenant of the Lord.” IT SHALL NOT COME TO MIND, OR BE REMEMBERED, OR MISSED; IT SHALL NOT BE MADE AGAIN. At that time Jerusalem shall be called the THRONE OF THE LORD, and ALL NATIONS SHALL GATHER TO IT, to the presence of the LORD in Jerusalem, and they shall no more stubbornly follow their own evil heart. In those days the house of Judah shall join the house of Israel, and together they shall come from the land of the north to the land that I gave your fathers for a heritage.

 

[juliamajor]

Sometimes mankind needs to step backwards … in order to ‘re-tread’ those steps they missed in 33 AD. The 3rd Temple will be the re-awakening for the Orthodox Jews. Their epiphany regarding Christ, their rejected Messiah.

We need to understand the OT from the Jewish perspective, in order to help them see the Typology re: Christ. Paul sure tried, and some had their eyes opened back them. Yet few do today.

Its been said that only a few hundred Christian Jews live in Israel today. They need the full support of the Catholic Church to help them witness to their brethren.

With attempting to get the 3rd Temple built I think that it is complete hubris to think you can force God’s hand and excelerate the second coming.Shouldn’t we wait for God’s time , the kairos,opportune time rather then what humans would like it to be?

 

[GEddie]

With attempting to get the 3rd Temple built I think that it is complete hubris to think you can force God’s hand and excelerate the second coming.Shouldn’t we wait for God’s time , the kairos,opportune time rather then what humans would like it to be?

1. Those wishing to rebuild the temple are most definitely not desirous to “excelerate [sic] the second coming” of our LORD. That isn’t even on their wish list. They desire it for purely Jewish reasons.
2. Far too many IMNAAHO in Christendom, including on these fora, want to postpone (equally hubristic) His second coming. There is no yearning to advance it even among Christians; those supporting the temple quest are in a minuscule minority; lamentably, since,
3. Scripturally, we should be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord” (2 Pe 3:12).

ICXC NIKA!

 

[kepha1]

Evangelicals who get all excited about the red hiefer and the Third Temple also claim the Catholic Church and the UN will govern Jerusalem. Ken Raggio is one of many anti-Catholic bigots preaching “the Third Temple” and all sorts of hate propaganda. Besides, the Jews can’t make a legitimate animal sacrifice because they can’t verify a legitimate Levitical priesthood, as all the records were destroyed in 70 AD.

The ancient rabbis knew that one day all animal sacrifices would stop, except the Toda Sacrifice, which is the Sacrifice of the Mass.

 

[juliamajor]

1. Those wishing to rebuild the temple are most definitely not desirous to “excelerate [sic] the second coming” of our LORD. That isn’t even on their wish list. They desire it for purely Jewish reasons.(Actually protestant groups involved,including one who breeds the red heifer, have said that is why they will help build the third temple-to hasten Christ’s coming))2) Far too many IMNAAHO in Christendom, including on these fora, want to postpone (equally hubristic) His second coming. There is no yearning to advance it even among Christians; those supporting the temple quest are in a minuscule minority; lamentably, since,(no way to postpone-It is believed that the extra time given is to save souls by getting ready for the king)
2. Scripturally, we should be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord” (2 Pe 3:12).
   (Traditionally it is believed that God is showing his mercy by not going forward with the Parousia.Being ready for it-is what we should be doing.The tradition of the Jews says the only way to hasten the coming of the messiah is mitzvot-good deeds.Nothing else will do it.)
   ICXC NIKA!

 

[brb3]

Besides, the Jews can’t make a legitimate animal sacrifice because they can’t verify a legitimate Levitical priesthood, as all the records were destroyed in 70 AD.

The ancient rabbis knew that one day all animal sacrifices would stop, except the Toda Sacrifice

Not accurate. They currently have 500 Levite priests trained to conduct Temple duties. Apparently, with the help of modern science, … they can differentiate the 12 Tribes. Apparently a unique genetic marker is present on the Y- Chromosome of the Levites, that allows modern day Jews to be certified as genuine offspring of OT Priests.

Exactly what type sacrifices are planned for Temple 3 ? Perhaps animals. Lambs, pigeons, etc. Surely the Red Heifer will be needed to purify the temple. Certainly cereal grain [bread] would be appropriate. And wine ?

Starting to sound rather Catholic isn’t it ? And, it will be [and moreso] when Christ arrives on the scene … after the Temple abomination occurs.

 

[Ron_Conte]

Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in association with the tribulation. But the Second Temple was destroyed in the first century A.D., and the tribulation has not yet occurred. Therefore, Jesus was referring to the destruction of the Third Temple of Jerusalem, which has yet to be built.

 

[patrick457]

1. Scripturally, we should be “looking for and hasting unto the coming of the day of the Lord” (2 Pe 3:12).

ICXC NIKA!

Amen, Maran atha. But for the sake of completion:

Knowing this first: that in the last days scoffers in their scoffing will come, going according to their own desires and saying, “Where is the promise of His coming? For since the fathers fell asleep, all continues as they were from the beginning of creation!”
For this is unobserved by them willingly, that heavens were from of old, and earth out of water and by water standing together by the word of God, through which the world at that time, being deluged with water, was destroyed. And the present heavens and the earth by the same word are reserved for fire, by being kept for a day of judgment and destruction of the ungodly men.
And this one thing do not forget, beloved, that with the Lord one day is as a thousand years, and a thousand years as one day. The Lord is not slow about His promise, as some count slowness, and is patient toward you, not wanting any to be lost but for all to turn to repentance.
And it will come - the day of the Lord - like a thief, in which the heavens with a rushing noise will pass away, and the elements, being burned up, be dissolved, and earth and the works in it will be made bare.
All these, then, being dissolved, what kind of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness, looking for and hastening the coming of the day of God, by which the heavens, being burned up, will dissolve, and the elements with intense heat shall melt? And for new heavens and a new earth according to His promise we wait, in which righteousness dwells.
Therefore, beloved, looking forward to these things, be diligent, spotless and blameless, by Him to be found in peace; and the patience of our Lord consider as salvation, according as also our beloved brother Paul, according to the wisdom given to him, has written to you, as also in all the letters, speaking in them of these things, in which are some things hard to understand, which the untaught and the unstable twist, as they do also the other Writings, to their own destruction.
You therefore, beloved, knowing beforehand, keep watch, lest, being led away with the error of the lawless, you fall from your own steadfastness, but grow in grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ; to Him be the glory both now, and to the day of the age! Amen.

 

[kepha1]

The Temple Mount and Eretz Yisrael (Land of Israel) Faithful Movement is a fringe Jewish Orthodox movement that a majority of Jews don’t take seriously. For the 3rd temple to be built, this fringe group will have to eliminate Islam, because I can’t see Muslems taking the Dome of the Rock shrine and the Al-Aqsa mosque to Mecca without brute force (or a major war)

Would someone please find me one resource on this topic that does not imply the Catholic Church and the United Nations to be the Beast and the False Prophet, or the Church running a New World Order, or the Pope being the anti-Christ, or the Pope dominating Jersalem or any of the usual paranoid anti-Catholic hate propaganda?

 

[brb3]

Would someone please find me one resource on this topic that does not imply the Catholic Church and the United Nations to be the Beast and the False Prophet, or the Church running a New World Order, or the Pope being the anti-Christ, or the Pope dominating Jersalem or any of the usual paranoid anti-Catholic hate propaganda?

THE NEW TEMPLE AND THE SECOND COMING, by G. Jeffrey, 2007

Has not an ounce of Anti-Catholic propaganda in its pages. A great read for $10 @ B & Noble.

 

[brb3]

The ancient rabbis knew that one day all animal sacrifices would stop, except the Toda Sacrifice, which is the Sacrifice of the Mass.

Perhaps they overlooked Zechariah’s benediction chapter.

Zechariah 14:20-21 And on THAT DAY there shall be inscribed on the bells of the horses, “Holy to the Lord.” And the pots in the house of the Lord shall be as the bowls before the ALTAR; and every pot in Jerusalem and Judah shall be sacred to the Lord of hosts, so that all who sacrifice may come and take of them and BOIL THE FLESH OF THE SACRIFICE in them. And there shall no longer be a trader in the house of the Lord of hosts on that day.

 

[PeterK]

Jesus predicted the destruction of the Temple of Jerusalem in association with the tribulation. But the Second Temple was destroyed in the first century A.D., and the tribulation has not yet occurred. Therefore, Jesus was referring to the destruction of the Third Temple of Jerusalem, which has yet to be built.

Ron,
Many alive in the first centuries of the Church would have believed the tribulation was in full swing. Perhaps this is why Paul wrote like Christ could arrive any minute.

PeterK