Are You Missing this 2,000-Year-Old Mystery?
Something extraordinary is happening in Israel, and many Christians aren’t paying attention.
The prophetic clock is ticking, and at the center of it all is a biblical mystery—the red heifer. For thousands of years, this seemingly obscure ritual has held deep significance in Jewish law, yet its relevance to prophecy and the future of Israel have never been more critical than they are today.
Gary Stearman, host of Prophecy Watchers, recently sat down with co-host Mondo Gonzalez to discuss the red heifer’s role in end-times prophecy. If you’ve never heard of the red heifer, you’re not alone. As Stearman puts it, “Most Christians are not familiar with it at all.” Yet, its importance is undeniable, particularly when it comes to the rebuilding of the Third Temple.
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The Biblical Requirement
According to Numbers 19, God commanded the Israelites to bring forth a red heifer—a female cow without blemish, never yoked or used for labor—to be sacrificed. Its ashes would then be mixed with water and used for ritual purification, particularly to cleanse those who had come into contact with the dead.
Without this purification, Jewish law deems it impossible to approach God in the temple. As Gonzalez explains, “The one thing that is not complete yet is the red heifer ritual.” In other words, without the ashes of the red heifer, the Third Temple cannot be fully operational.
A Historic Development
For the first time in 2,000 years, qualified red heifers have arrived in Israel. Five red cows were brought over in September 2022, and three still remain viable candidates for the sacred ritual. This is a monumental event. “This is the first time in 2,000 years that they’ve had a qualified red heifer,” Stearman points out. And yet, mainstream media is silent.
Why Should Christians Care?
At this point, some might ask, “What does this have to do with us?” After all, as believers in Jesus Christ, we know that salvation comes through His sacrifice, not through temple rituals. Hebrews 9:13-14 draws the connection: if the ashes of a red heifer could provide purification in the Old Covenant, “how much more the blood of Jesus” cleanses us completely?
Stearman acknowledges this perspective but reminds us of something crucial: “We live under the blessing of the New Covenant… but the Jewish people don’t know that yet.” They are still striving to restore the temple and its sacrificial system, unaware that the ultimate sacrifice has already been made.
A Prophetic Warning
For those following prophecy, the pieces are falling into place. As Gonzalez warns, “The tribulation period is going to be a time when they’re going to be duped by the Antichrist.” Scripture tells us that temple sacrifices will resume, only for the Antichrist to halt them midway through the Tribulation (see Dan. 9:27). In light of this, the renewed push for a Third Temple and the arrival of these red heifers should be setting off alarm bells.
Even Israel’s enemies are taking notice. Hamas, in a statement after the October 2023 attacks, admitted that one of their reasons for striking Israel was because of the red heifers. Think about that—terrorist organizations are tracking biblical prophecy. Shouldn’t Christians be doing the same?
The Urgency of the Hour
The world is shifting, and as believers we must recognize what these events mean. “We expect our Lord to come,” Stearman declares. “His coming is going to be timed with events in Israel, and there’s no doubt about that when we read Scripture.”
So, what should we do? First, stay informed. Second, use these prophetic markers as tools for evangelism. “When the red heifer is sacrificed, people are going to look back and say, What does this mean?” Gonzalez explains. “Well, here’s your answer.”
We are living in prophetic times. The return of Christ is closer than ever. Are we watching? Are we ready?
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James Lasher is staff writer for Charisma Media.
