Stephen M. Yuish Ph.D. writes: "According to an article in The Mid-East Dispatch, issue 237, the 16th of March 1997, the birth of a red heifer in Israel is being hailed by religious Jews as a sign from God that work can soon begin on building the Third temple in Jerusalem.

"The report stated that a team of Rabbinical experts confirmed that the animal, born six months ago on a religious kibbutz, Kfar Hassidim, near the northern Israeli port of Haifa, meets the Biblical criteria for the red heifer needed for purification of those who wish to rebuild the temple.

"As stated in the fourth book of the Torah, Numbers Chapter 19, an unblemished red heifer in which there is no defect and on which a yoke has never been placed, is to be slaughtered and burned and its ashes made Into a liquid paste used in the ceremony for purification from sin.

"Since Herod's Temple was destroyed by the Roman emperor Titus in AD 70 no flawless red heifer has been born within the Biblical land of Israel according to Rabbinical sources. Besides, the Jewish people did not see the re-creation of the State of Israel until 1948, nor the recapturing of Jerusalem until 1967.

"The birth of the animal to a black and white mother and a dun colored bull is being hailed as a miracle by Jewish activists who want to rebuild the temple and prepare the way for the Jewish Messiah's entry into Jerusalem. "We have been waiting for 2000 years for a sign from God/' one of them said. "And now he has provided us with a red heifer."

"Christians also view the rebuilding of the Temple as an important sign of the return of the Messiah. In Matthew 24:2, Jesus accurately predicted that Herod's Temple would be destroyed. When He was asked by His Disciples what would be the sign of His return and the end of the age, Jesus responded that when you see the abomination of desolation which was spoken of by the prophet Daniel standing in the Holy place (Temple). This could not take place in Herod's Temple because it would be destroyed and it was (in 70 AD). One cannot have a desolation of the Temple as in the days of Antiochus Epiphanies without a Temple. The red heifer is but another piece in the prophetic timetable which is moving closer to the end of the age and the return of Messiah."

The author of the preceding article is mistaken concerning history. There was a temple in the days of Antiochus Epiphanies and the "abomination of desolation" referred to in Matthew 24:15 and Luke 21:20 was a prophecy of the events surrounding AD 70.

Such imaginations about the importance of the birth of some cow show the Jewish mindset of the dispensationalists.

Numbers chapter 19 does give instructions for a cleansing ritual involving the ashes of a red heifer. Verse 2 says, "This is the statue of the law which the Lord has commanded, saying, 'Speak to the sons of Israel that they bring you an unblemished red heifer in which is no defect, and on which a yoke has never been placed.’"

Every part of the heifer was to be burned, mixed with other materials, including cedar wood and hyssop. The ashes were to be mixed with water to "remove impurity; it is purification from sin" (Numbers 19:9). But this is an Old Testament ritual, replaced by the death and resurrection of Christ.

"What is the red heifer...and what is its mystery? Why is it so important? Is there a red heifer today...how close is Israel to finding one?

"The renewal of the red heifer has captured the attention of millions, but reliable information has never before been available from an authentic Jewish standpoint. Now, The Mystery of the Red Heifer provides the answers to these questions and many others. For the first time, all of the background, stories, laws and wisdom relating to this unique Biblical commandment are presented in one authoritative volume. Also included: the exciting, unfolding drama of the red heifer for Israel's coming Third Temple."

The following excerpts of an article shows how dispensationalists are still thinking in the mindset of Jews, rather than of Christ. The article is entitled: "U.S. Ministers and Israeli Rabbis are Joining Hands in A Restoration Ministry."

"Over the past several years JoAnn and I have enjoyed watching God do a phenomenal work. However, we could say little about it until now, a time when you have an opportunity to get involved. The red heifer of Numbers 19 has brought together a group of Christian ministers and Israeli rabbis that love God. This has been done without division, without arguments and with great love and respect between them. Now you can join them in a history making biblical project.

"It all started on September 18, 1990 when Reverend Clyde Lott of Canton, Mississippi mailed his first letter to Israel. God had prompted him and he was trying to find out about the red heifer spoken of in Numbers 19. He wondered where these cattle came from and exactly what they looked like. This brought Rabbi Chaim Richman of the Temple Institute into the picture. During 1991 and 1992 these men were laying groundwork for what is now the red cattle program for Israel.

"In 1994 Clyde phoned and invited JoAnn and me to come and meet Rabbi Richman, a man many U.S. citizens now know because of his visit to their churches. On November 10, 1994, this orthodox rabbi laid his hands on Clyde's perfect red heifers. This was the first time in over two thousand years a rabbi had touched such a cow. It was a historical event. Now, a new, non-profit corporation, Canaan Land Restoration of Israel, Inc., with Clyde Lott as president will ship planeloads of red cattle to Israel, 140 heifers per load. The first shipment is scheduled for August 1998. Because of this many Christian people are going to be blessed, blessed by giving red heifers to this restoration program.

"Today, we see many examples of Christian love for Am Yisrael (the people of Israel) and Yertz Yisrael (the land of Israel). It is their desire for Jewish people to turn to God. Now there is a way for you to help bring this about. It is through Canaan Land Restoration of Israel, Inc. All the ministers in this work are well-respected men of God, but the focus is on Clyde Lott and Chaim Richman.

"Back to the red heifers and you. Clyde has been working with cattlemen in other states, preparing a herd of red cattle for shipment. These cattlemen must be paid for their efforts as the heifers are moved to Israel. The cost of each cow is $1,000, a conservative price for blue ribbon cattle. As a gift to the non-profit corporation, one can purchase one or more red heifers, pay $500 for one half or $250 for one quarter, pay for plane fair at $341.00 per heifer, make a monthly donation, make a one time gift or become a member of Emmet Bet Sheroot Ministries."

Note that the first article refers to a single red heifer being born in Israel, while the last one claims to be growing them in the US and shipping them to Israel. Could someone see a profit motive here?

The last article mentions "Israeli rabbis who love God," yet the author promotes this red heifer scheme so the Jewish people will turn to God. Which is it?

Dispensationalist, represented by these writers, want a temple built in Jerusalem in order to hasten the return of Christ to rule for a thousand years. The Jews are looking for an earthly king to set up an earthly kingdom with them as the head. The dispensationalists claim to believe that Jesus Christ is the Savior promised in the Old Testament—the Jews do not. Maybe Paul’s admonition to the church at Corinth should be instructive (2 Corinthians 6:14): "Do not be bound together with unbelievers; for what partnership have righteousness and lawlessness, or what fellowship has light with darkness?"

I believe the Christian should see absolutely no significance in the birth of a perfect red heifer—even if such a birth is true. The New Testament tells us that we already have the perfect sacrifice in Jesus Christ. Hebrews 9:12 says, "not through the blood of goats and calves, but through His own blood, He entered the holy place once for all, having obtained eternal redemption." No heifer could ever do that (v. 13).