Red heifer being burnt 1 July 2025
(Screenshot from Israel National News via Israel365News)
Israel365 News reported the following:
Red Heifer Ashes Used in Purification Ritual, Claims Activist
February 6, 2026
The arrival of five red heifers in Israel, intended to perform the Biblical ritual of purification, marked a major milestone in the return of the Temple Service. Controversy erupted when one of the red cows was burned in what some rabbinic authorities claimed was a practice event, while others insisted it was an actual burning, resulting in ashes that could be used to purify hundreds of thousands of people. One activist took another step forward when he enlisted a Kohen to mix the ashes with spring water, making it suitable for use, heating up the controversy that surrounds the ashes.
YouTuber Adam King released a video this week showing an Orthodox rabbi performing the ancient ritual of preparing water mixed with the ashes of the red heifer, the biblical purification process required before entering the Third Temple. The video, which quickly circulated among Temple activists and evangelical supporters of Israel, has reignited the conversation about when and how this rare commandment will be fulfilled in modern times.
The kohen who performed the preparation spoke directly to the tension between strict observance and practical action. “I believe that the mitzvot (commandments) in the Torah are given to us with a mandate to actually do them,” he wrote in a statement to Israel365 News. “Where there are halachic (Jewish legal) opinions which facilitate the mitzvot actually being done, being stringent so as to not do them seems counter to the practical intention of the Torah. I wholeheartedly encourage anyone who wants to be more stringent to go ahead and do it according to their desired standard.”
Can ashes from a practice burning qualify for the most exacting purity ritual in the Bible?
The controversy centers on a practice burning conducted in July, which produced ashes that some believe can be used for purification, while others, including the Temple Institute and Rabbi Azariah Ariel, have disqualified. The disagreement exposes the challenge of reviving a commandment that has not been performed since the destruction of the Second Temple in 70 CE. https://israel365news.com/415922/water-for-red-heifer-ritual-preparedor-was-it/
Last Summer, a reader who has attended CCOG church services asked if I had watched a particular video on the red heifer (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5bW_S2ho1bE), and I said I had not. Anyway, I later watched it. It featured Adam King who held up a packet of what he said were ashes from the red heifer that was sacrificed and burnt on 1 July 2025.
He made several claims about this sacrifice:
- It met all the necessary criteria.
- The people associated with sacrifice this misled government authorities to get permission to do it.
- The red heifer did not have any non-red hairs.
- Since this was done properly, now the ‘third temple’ can be built.
On December 28, 2024, I wrote, based on certain statements from the Temple Institute as well as the age of the red heifer candidates that were brought in from Texas, that they could sacrifice one of the ‘red heifers’ they had in 2025:
It is possible that we will see a red heifer sacrificed between now and the Day of Atonement in 2025. (Red Heifers, 2 disqualified, 3 potentially left–might one be sacrifices in 2025?).
And they did so on 1 July 2025 (Israel365 News originally suggested 8 July).
Now, let’s deal with some of Adam King’s claims.
According to the Temple Institute that the animal sacrificed was disqualified.
According to the Temple Institute the heifer did have non-red hairs.
According to something still (as of 08/18/25) at the Temple Institute website, it was the Messiah that was supposed to sacrifice the animal. The last page of a post from the Temple Institute had the following:
The Tenth Red Heifer Will be Prepared by the Messiah
In recounting this historical record in his commentary to the Mishna, the great Maimonides ends with the enigmatic statement: “… and the tenth red heifer will be accomplished by the king, the Messiah; may he be revealed speedily, Amen, May it be G-d’s will.” … With the words of Maimonides in mind, we cannot help but wonder and pray: If there are now red heifers… is ours the era that will need them? https://templeinstitute.org/red-heifer-the-tenth-red-heifer/
The Bible does not teach the above, but the Temple Institute has accepted various traditions as commandments of God, which simply are not.
Last year, I posted:
According to me, the animal sacrifice appeared to meet the biblical criteria and was acceptable to some now and likely may be acceptable to others later. (Thiel B. Does the red heifer sacrifice mean that a ‘third temple’ can now be built? COGwriter, August 18, 2025)
So, we see that some consider the red heifer sacrifice acceptable now, but the Sanhedrin and the Temple Institute do not (see Sanhedrin and Temple Institute declare July sacrifice does not count, but there are 4 red heifer candidates being monitored).
Anyway, the 1 July 2025 sacrifice of a red heifer was significant and it may or may not be the last ritually sanctified one. Related to that sacrifice we have the following related video:
The Last Red Heifer?
The Last Red Heifer? What does that mean? On 1 July 2025, a red heifer was sacrificed in Israel. Over ten gallons of ashes of that red heifer were reportedly collected. Some believe this sacrifice fulfilled the requirements in the Old Testament, whereas others said this was only a practice run. The Book of Numbers teaches that the ashes of red heifer are required to be added to the waters of purification for the purifying of sin. Certain Jews want the ashes for reasons including another temple and animal sacrifices, whereas others assert that the sacrifices can be resumed without a red heifer approved by the Temple Institute or the reconstituted Sanhedrin. “So what?” you say? “Who cares if some Jews want sacrifice animals again?”, you ask? Well, what if animal sacrifices are prophesied to begin again prior to the return of Jesus Christ? Would that make a difference? If all prophecy must be fulfilled, and it must, could there be any connection to the ashes of a red heifer? Since the Temple Institute disqualified the red heifer that was sacrificed 1 July 2025 as being ceremonially disqualified because of 2 or 3 non-red hairs, could it change its mind? Would never accepting that sacrifice delay the return of our Messiah? After all, all prophecy must be fulfilled. Dr. Thiel contends that the position of the Temple Institute regarding a few non-red hairs, as well as its posted position that the Messiah would be the one to sacrifice the last red heifer, are simply not biblical. Dr. Thiel also points to the sacrifice of Jesus as eliminating the need for Christians to have the ashes of a red heifer for purification. So, now what? Watch this video and listen as Dr. Thiel shines the light of Biblical prophecy from the pages of the Bible on the Jewish need for the ashes of a red heifer and the resumption of animal sacrifices.
Here is a link to our video: The Last Red Heifer?
Now, the Bible does not prophesy the need for another red heifer. Why? Because the New Testament says the ashes of one are not needed for Christian redemption per Hebrews 9:13-15.
Yet, biblically, we know that the daily animal sacrifices will be re-implemented by certain Jews as the prophet Daniel was inspired to numerous times that they would be stopped:
9 And out of one of them came a little horn which grew exceedingly great toward the south, toward the east, and toward the Glorious Land. 10 And it grew up to the host of heaven; and it cast down some of the host and some of the stars to the ground, and trampled them. 11 He even exalted himself as high as the Prince of the host; and by him the daily sacrifices were taken away, and the place of His sanctuary was cast down. 12 Because of transgression, an army was given over to the horn to oppose the daily sacrifices; and he cast truth down to the ground. He did all this and prospered.
13 Then I heard a holy one speaking; and another holy one said to that certain one who was speaking, “How long will the vision be, concerning the daily sacrifices and the transgression of desolation, the giving of both the sanctuary and the host to be trampled underfoot?”
14 And he said to me, “For two thousand three hundred days; then the sanctuary shall be cleansed.” (Daniel 8:9-14)
27 Then he shall confirm a covenant with many for one week;
But in the middle of the week
He shall bring an end to sacrifice and offering … (Daniel 9:27)31 And forces shall be mustered by him, and they shall defile the sanctuary fortress; then they shall take away the daily sacrifices, and place there the abomination of desolation. (Daniel 11:31)
11 “And from the time that the daily sacrifice is taken away, and the abomination of desolation is set up, there shall be one thousand two hundred and ninety days. 12 Blessed is he who waits, and comes to the one thousand three hundred and thirty-five days. (Daniel 12:11)
So, we see that after a deal is made, 3 1/2 years later, sacrifices will be stopped. By who? Well, the “he” above was called a “prince” in Daniel 9:26. He will become the King of the North Beast leader as discussed in Daniel 11:31, 40 and his forces will place an abomination when the sacrifices are stopped (Daniel 11:31). That placement is something that Jesus pointed to as a sign of the end in Matthew 24:15 and Mark 13:14. Since Daniel shows that those that wait the 1335 days are then blessed–this looks to be a reference to Jesus returning and establishing the Kingdom of God a little less than four years after the daily sacrifices are stopped by the Beast!
That being said, the Israel365 News article also had the following:
The Temple Institute maintains that the ashes from the practice burning cannot be used for purification. They insist that the actual burning of a kosher red heifer must follow every detail of halacha, including the proper location, the purity status of the kohen, and certainty about the identity and condition of the animal. Any deviation from these requirements renders the entire process invalid.
The four remaining red heifers from Texas remain in Shiloh, their status as potential candidates for the actual ritual still intact despite the controversy. Whether the practice burning ashes can be used or whether a completely new ritual must be performed with one of the remaining heifers remains the central question dividing those working toward the Temple’s restoration. https://israel365news.com/415922/water-for-red-heifer-ritual-preparedor-was-it/
So, the Temple Institute still has four red heifers it is monitoring and hope that one will be usable in the future.
In its newsletter today, the Temple Institute had the following:
Make for Me an altar of earth”(Exodus 20:21)Shevat 19, 5786/February 6, 2026 …“HaShem said to Moshe: Thus shall you say to the children of Israel: You yourselves saw that I spoke to you from the very heavens: With Me, therefore, you shall not make any gods of silver, nor shall you make for yourselves any gods of gold. Make for Me an altar of earth and sacrifice on it your burnt offerings and your sacrifices of well-being, your sheep and your oxen; in every place where I cause My name to be mentioned I will come to you and bless you.” (Exodus 20:21-22) …
Mizbe’ach 101: A Short Teaching About The Temple Altar
The altar shown above is NOT the altar that the Sanhedrin and Temple Institute purified years in 2018. This is the one that reportedly it will use to sacrifice a red heifer on that looks to have been finished in 2024. A better photo of that is in the following: MS: A “Massive Altar” For The Red Heifer Sacrifice Has Been Constructed In Israel.
While many think that the Jews must have a massive temple to resume daily animal sacrifices, it should be understood that the Bible itself nowhere teaches that animal sacrifices require a temple in Jerusalem. Also, the position of certain other Jewish scholars is that a physical temple, while helpful, is NOT required.
Until Solomon built the first temple (1 Kings 6:14), the Bible shows that the Jews sacrificed on altars. David, Solomon’s father, for example sacrificed on an altar (2 Samuel 24:25), as did Aaron and his descendants (Exodus 20:24; Leviticus 1:10-11). And prior to all of that, Abel (Genesis 4:4), Noah (Genesis 8:20), Abraham (Genesis 22:9-13), and others sacrificed animals to God.
So for over 3,000 years, animal sacrifices were offered without a Jewish temple.
Even after the first Jerusalem temple was destroyed and left in ruins, the Bible itself specifically shows that sacrifices were made in the time of Ezra BEFORE the second temple was ready:
6 From the first day of the seventh month began they to offer burnt offerings unto the LORD. But the foundation of the temple of the LORD was not yet laid. (Ezra 3:6)
One may argue that since it takes the participation of Jewish religious leaders in order for Jewish animal sacrifices to be resumed in the 21st century, that the above scripture is a moot point.
And it might be if there were no Jewish religious leaders that thought that they could not sacrifice without a temple.
Yet the fact is, that although they are in the minority, there are significant numbers of Jewish religious leaders who are intent on starting animal sacrifices as soon as possible. And these Jewish leaders do not believe that they have to wait in order for a temple to rebuilt in order to do so.
All that is needed is an altar, a consecrated high priest, and perhaps a tent or a small structure.
The Jews have that. Related to that, we have the following video:
Temple Institute, Heifers, Hamas, and a Tent
In March 2024, the Temple Institute recently pointed out that how God blessed the Sabbath, He also blessed the construction of a tent tabernacle. They pointed out progress from the ancient Israelites. Should Christians be making spiritual progress each year before Passover? The Temple institute has stated that the area called ‘the Temple Mount’ needs to be cleared of Muslim mosques, etc. so that a ‘third temple’ can be built. It also claims that it has four thriving red heifers, one of which it want to sacrifice before the implementation of regular animal sacrifices. Has Hamas claimed that the existence and possible use of a red heifer was a factor in its attack in Israel on October 7, 2023? Does the Temple Institute believe it must have a massive temple in order for sacrifices to resume? Or is having a priesthood, an altar, and a tent enough? What does the Sanhedrin say about that? Did Ezra write that animal sacrifices were made after the first temple was destroyed, but before the second temple was started? Is that believed by numerous modern Jewish rabbis and scholars? Does the Bible teach that regular animal sacrifices will be resumed? Could there be any relationship to the stopping of them and the return of Jesus? Is the day of Jesus coming getting much closer? Dr. Thiel and Steve Dupuie address these issues.
Here is a link to our video: Temple Institute, Heifers, Hamas, and a Tent.
We all need to watch and pray as Jesus said in Luke 21:36 and grow in grace and knowledge and as the Apostle Paul wrote:
25 … exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching. (Hebrews 10:25)
That day is approaching more and more.
Sacrifices will be resumed, with or without a red heifer that the Temple Institute accepts.
Biblical prophecies will be fulfilled.
Some items of possibly related interest may include:
Nascent Sanhedrin and Prophecy The reconstituted Sanhedrin wants the reimplementation of animal sacrifices. A related video is titled Sanhedrin pushing animal sacrifices. And a newer one is: Sanhedrin makes burnt offering to dedicate altar!
The Red Heifer, Jewish Beliefs, and the End of the World The Temple Institute is watching a ‘red heifer.’ Why might this be important in the sequence of end time events? Here is a related link in the Spanish language Novilla roja descubierta en EE.UU. e Instituto del Templo está interesado en ella. Here are links to three related videos in English: The Last Red Heifer? and Red Heifers and Antichrist? and Temple Institute, Heifers, Hamas, and a Tent. Here is a link to two videos in the Spanish language: Novillas rojas and La novilla roja y su posible implicación profetica.
Why is a Jewish Temple in Jerusalem Not Required? Although people like Timothy LaHaye teach a third Jewish temple is required, who is ‘the temple of God” in the New Testament? Does the Bible require a rebuilt Jewish Temple? Here is a related item in the Spanish language ¿Por qué no se requiere un templo judío en Jerusalén? Here is a link to two sermons The Temple, Prophecy, and the Work and God’s Temple in Prophecy. And here is a version of the latter one in the Spanish: El templo de Dios en profecía.
Nascent Sanhedrin and Prophecy The reconstituted Sanhedrin wants the reimplementation of animal sacrifices. A related video is titled Sanhedrin pushing animal sacrifices. And a newer one is: Sanhedrin makes burnt offering to dedicate altar!