[Rick Shabi] At the forefront of the news these days is the little nation of Israel.
Yes, there are hostages that have been released and who are yet to be released.
Yes, there is the talk about the future of Gaza and the Palestinians.
But just as intriguing is the fascination of some of the biblical events and end-time prophecies concerning Israel that have been circulating on Twitter (X) and YouTube recently.
One of those videos has to do with the biblical red heifer ceremony. The Jews believe that the red heifer sacrifice is a necessary precursor to reinstituting the Jewish priesthood and the building of the third temple in Jerusalem.
Recently, a video dating has been circulating in the United States where the newly appointed Secretary of Defense spoke of this temple back a few years ago.
So, what about these red heifers that we heard so much about after the Hamas attack of October 7? They are so significant that a Hamas spokesman actually said those red heifers were part of the reason for that attack.
Where are those red heifers today? Are they still viable to be sacrificed, and does the Bible actually say a third temple will be built in Jerusalem, and if so, when, and why?
Will it be before or after the return of Jesus Christ? We’ll get to those prophecies in a minute. The answer may surprise you.
But first let’s get an update on the red heifers from sources that have recently been providing updates from Israel. Here’s one from a few days ago in February that says of the five original red heifers, only a few remain eligible for sacrifice.
So, two of the red heifers are still eligible to be sacrificed in compliance with the biblical guidelines recorded in Numbers 19. I won’t go into detail on that chapter here, but you can go to ucg.org/temple and read or listen to more about this fascinating and rare sacrifice and ceremony.
Briefly, though, you will remember that according to Jewish belief, the ashes of a perfect, unblemished red heifer, mixed with living water is required for a Levitical priesthood to be purified for service in the temple. That priesthood is required for a third temple to be built.
Interestingly, there have only been 9 red heifers sacrificed in the history of Israel, so this is a momentous historical time –1. that these rare heifers are available, and 2. just at the time the third temple is being considered.
So, assuming one of these heifers continues to meet the qualifications given in the Bible, will it be sacrificed?
Will it happen? Yes, it will. And it will happen before the return of Jesus Christ. The timing and age of these red heifer sacrifices is critical.
So, when this happens, the priesthood can be purified according to biblical standards and animal sacrifices could begin in Jerusalem for the first time since 70 A.D., And the temple could begin to be built.
The Bible tells us that Jesus Christ will return to the Mt. of Olives. During His 1,000-year reign we are told that people will go to that third temple to learn of God’s ways.
Notice Isaiah 2:2-3:
“Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills; and all nations shall flow to it. Many people shall come and say, ‘Come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob; He will teach us His ways, and we shall walk in His paths.’ For out of Zion shall go forth the law, and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem.”
Daniel 12:11 also reveals something that will happen in the end time, something that hasn’t happened in our lifetimes. Sacrifices will be offered in Jerusalem again. We know that, because this verse tells us that when those sacrifices are stopped, it will be 1,290 days until the return of Jesus Christ. Pretty specific, isn’t it? (show Daniel 12:11 verse on screen)
So then, you might say that there has to be a temple built before there can be sacrifices. That would be a fair argument—but not necessarily.
When the second temple was being built, back before Christ’s first coming, the sacrifices actually began before the temple was built.
Notice what the Bible, God’s infallible word and record of history, doctrine, and prophecy, says in Ezra 3:6
“From the first day of the seventh month (which is the date of one of God’s Holy Ddays mentioned in the Bible) they began to offer burnt offerings to the LORD, although the foundation of the temple of the LORD had not been laid.’
Did you see that? The temple wasn’t built, but they had the priesthood, they had the instruments, and they had the temple site. So, they began sacrifices.
The precedent has been set. God accepted those sacrifices. It happened then, and it can happen again. Current reports are that all the instruments of the temple have been crafted, and once the priesthood is cleansed with the ashes of the red heifer, those sacrifices could begin at any time.
But what about the temple? Maybe it doesn’t have to be built for sacrifices to begin, but won’t it be rebuilt?
Yes, it will. In Ezekiel, chapters 40-48 there is a detailed plan God gives of exactly how that temple should be constructed. It lists all the materials and the manner of workmanship, just like He gave instructions for the first two temples.
Interesting that those instructions are not the same plan as Solomon’s or the second temple? That’s because this will be a new temple, built for the time of Christ’s millennial rule.
It will be in Jerusalem, and people from all nations will flow to it to be taught the way of God as we read earlier. Here’s an artist’s rendering of what that temple will look like.
That will be a magnificent place to see and visit, befitting the King of kKings and Lord of lLords.
But when will it be built? Likely, while it may be begun—the foundation laid—before Christ’s return, it may not be fully built until after Christ’s return.
The chapters in Ezekiel leading up to that temple describe the time AFTER Christ’s return when He brings His people, the house of Judah and the house of Israel, BACK to the Promised Land He promised them back at the time of Abraham. IN these chapters, God talks about the Jews and the house of Israel being reunited into one house again, for the first time in thousands of year. And the Bible says that the resurrected David will be their King, just as he was when he was alive. Read it for yourself in Ezekiel 34:17-28.
Note, all that of this occurs AFTER Christ’s return to earth. The temple may be begun, the foundation laid, the sacrifices certainly started, but the temple could actually be built by the returning houses of Judah and Israel, just as the first temple was.
It will happen. You will continue to hear talk of the temple. Its building is sure. The prophecy is certain, just as Christ’s return is certain.
There is much for you to know about the Bible. Not just about the temple and red heifers, but about the way of life that will be taught from that temple and by Christ.
The nations will flow to it and be taught Christ’s way. Don’t you want to know—wouldn’t it be good to know—what His way is today? Because His way leads to a thousand years of peace, joy, and abundance for all of mankind, all over the world.
You can live that way now. Young, old, married, single, you can know the truth now. You can have that hope, and expectation and knowledge of Christ’s return way and His Kingdom now.
The whole world could be at peace if we would just yield to Jesus Christ and His way.
Go to ucg.org/temple. Take the time to read the short articles there. Take the time to get to know what Christ really taught and what will be taught then. And ask us any questions at that link. Those questions will come directly to me and I will answer anything you want to ask.
The United Church of God is here to do God’s will, to teach the way of life of Christ, and to preach the good news of His return and the truth about the Kingdom of God—the very commission He gave us to do.
Now you have heard the truthWe’ve shared this truth with you today. Learn To learn more, visit at ucg.org/temple
