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In the Old Testament, we come across a term "MAN SLAYER"
Man Slayer - A person who has killed someone
God has prepared a special plan for such a person
Can anyone tell me?
A term called City of Refuge is mentioned.
God tell us in the Old Testament that
that if a person kills another one "BY MISTAKE"
Kindly picturise this incident, one person has gone in a forest to cut wood. He has an axe
He wants to cut some branches, so he climbs up a tree and starts cutting.
and whilst cutting, the axe head (metal) slips and hits a person who was walking below, on the head.
His head is severely injured, and finally he dies.
In the Old Testament itself we see this rule "An eye for an eye and hand for a hand"
today also we are following the same rule,
If someone is guilty of a ***, he too is killed (hanged) legally
We still kill the murderer, but it is all legal and according to the law.
The principle "Life for a life" is of Equality, because our (human) lives are valuable.
and that's why this principle is being followed.
There wasn't any revenge involved in it.
In earlier times, it was such "if you kill one of us, I will kill 10 of yours". God stopped this.
He put a break to this. "No need to take 10 lives for one now, one life is enough"
Earlier, people were barbaric with barbaric traditions.
If a person was killed by another one
then the entire family of the murderer was killed and destroyed by the avengers.
And thus, to stop this, and set a basis of equality and justice,
the rule " A life for a life" was brought by God. In this way only the killer would be punished and the innocent family members would be spared
And still,even in today's civilised democratic society, this status and principle of equality is follwed
Lets revert back now, this person is killed accidently
and now according to the rule "A life for a life" the avengers (relatives of dead person) are now after the wood cutter to kill him.
The avenger now starts running after the wood cutter to kill him.
God has created a place for such a person (killer), because He is kind and merciful.
So, God asked the Israelites to build 6 cities once they enter Conan.
All the details regarding these cities, their sites, style of building, etc. in the Old Testament.
And then it is said, that the person who kills by mistake (wood cutter in our case), must
Immediately start running towards one of these cities which is closest..
These cities were called the "Cities of Refuge" a place where one could seek refuge.
Thus, that killer must run towards the City of Refuge to seek refuge there.
God has given 5 important things/points regarding the Cities of Refuge. Let us see what they are
First thing is APPOINTMENT. God had appointed these cities.
Who was going to decide the location of the Cities of Refuge? God!
i.e. these cities were appointed by God, there was neither human will nor any human desire involved
But, it was divine, and thus our first point is the 'appointment of these cities by God'.
The second point, once the killer enters the City of Refuge, the avenger must stop his chase
Because once this person enters the City of Refuge he is secure.
You all might be feeling that we are watching a cartoon film, haha. This person enters the City and now he is secure.
No, my dear friends. God is loving, and through His great love and mercy even for that killer
God provided safety and security for anyone who enters the City of Refuge.
Thus our 2nd point is " City of Refuge was a place of Security".
3rd point is its LOCATION. God had even planned the location of these cities
God had ordered the appointment of this city and also fixed its location.
God had given 6 places for building these cities. And these place were situated at height, where everyone could see them
Why did God want these cities to be built at height?
The reason being, anyone could see it easily and know that this is a secure place for me.
there is a verse saying that the city that is built on a mountain cannot be hidden.
Thus, God wanted this place to be easily seen by everyone
4th point is the "Roads leading to the City of Refuge".
These roads were "Specially Looked After"
These roads were maintained regularly, unlike our roads.. (hahaha)
The reason behind this was that, the person running towards
the city of refuge, should not face any problem while getting there and infact reach there fast.
Any obstacles, if present, were removed
Thus, our 4th point is "special maintenance of the roads leading to City of Refuge".
5th point is that "THE GATES OF THESE CITIES WERE SUPPOSED TO BE KEPT OPEN 24X7 (all the time)"
Even if a person was to reach at midnight, these doors were supposed to be open.
These are the 5 points mentioned in the Old Testament regarding the appointment, security, location, roads and gates of Cities of Refuge.
These points were given to the Israelites long time ago, why do we have to study them "today"
What do the Cities of Refuge symbolize?
What can we learn from them?
Cities of Refuge....
Numbers 35, Joshua 20, these contain detail information regarding the cities of refuge.
But, in The New Testament there is a reference in Hebrew 6: 18, 19.
Hebrews 6:18 "That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation,
who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us."
Pastor speaking " fled for refuge, please pay attention now friends. Bible says we have fled for refuge here in Hebrews 6: 18, 19
Now, look at this person (wood cutter), who was responsible for killing another person, he was supposed to run and reach that city at once
Why is it said that, we too have fled/ran and reached the city of refuge in the same manner in Heb 6:18,19
St. Paul says that we too have fled for refuge, this means that we too have done something.
Just like that person who has killed and thus, is guilty as he has offended God too.
Similarly you and me are guilty and hence we have fled to seek refuge.
But what wrong have we done?
And the person who has died, his relative who is seeking revenge is called avenger here.
This avenger is now running behind the killer to seek revenge.
Now, the question is, who is running after us, and whom are we running away to the City of Refuge?
And it is important to understand what is this City of Refuge.
God's word says that everyone has sinned. All of us, you and me have sinned
" Behold, I was shapen in iniquity; and in sin did my mother conceive me". Psa 51:5
We all are sinners from birth, right from Adam and all the sins that we in Adam have come in further generations.
The guilt that comes with sin,
and we too sin, and this sin is a crime committed against God.
Now, as we have sinned against God, His "wrath" starts running after us,
and thus we started running and fled from this wrath of God towards our City of Refuge which is "LORD JESUS CHRIST"
Praise the Lord. Our City of Refuge is Lord Jesus Christ.
And what St. Paul means is that we have fled towards him to seek refuge (Jesus Christ)
Someone please read Hebrews 6:18,19
"That by two immutable things, in which it was impossible for God to lie, we might have a strong consolation
who have fled for refuge to lay hold upon the hope set before us:
Which hope we have as an anchor of the soul, both sure and stedfast, and which entereth into that within the veil;"
An Anchor to the soul - Do you know what this term "anchor" means?
There is a boat that comes to the shore, now in order for it to remain still at the shore for passengers and goods to be taken off of it
the boat's captain, drops a big piece of metal which is attached to a big and strong chain into the water
and once it is dropped, this metal gets stuck in the mud below and the boat remains still and doesn't get
carried back into the river/sea. And then people and luggage can get on and off the boat easily.
We have faith as an anchor to our soul, and we have fixed it in someone.
And in whom did we fix our faith? In Lord Jesus Christ.
And just because we have fixed our faith in Him, we are attached to Him.
and where does our faith take us? Directly in the "most Holy Place" of the tabernacle.
The Tabernacle was divided into 3 parts - OUTER COURT, HOLY PLACE and MOST HOLY PLACE.
There was a curtain separating the HOLY PLACE and MOST HOLY PLACE.
And we all know that when Jesus Christ died on the cross, this curtain tore from top to bottom
What St. Paul is saying here is that, this hope this faith that we have in our Lord Jesus Christ
is like an anchor to our soul in Him, and this faith takes us directly to the MOST HOLY PLACE.
God's Glory - "SHEKINAH GLORY" is present there
Shekinah Glory is God's presence and its glory due to His presence.
A common man was forbidden from entering this MOST HOLY PLACE. Even a priest was not allowed.
Only the Chief Priest was allowed to enter that place and too once a year for sprinkling lamb's blood on the day of repentance.
Who is our chief priest? Lord Jesus Christ.
And He has given us entry to the MOST HOLY PLACE.
But, He has not sprinkled ox's or lamb's blood inside. But has sprinkled His own blood.
He has sprinkled His own blood for our sins inside the MOST HOLY PLACE.
And thus, has taken us very close to God.
Why did this happen? If we would have gone there directly, we would have died on the spot.
There is a instance in the Old Testament of two people lighting incense, not according to what God had asked
They died on the spot. Such was God's presence, His purity and Glory that existed in that place.
But, today we liberated through the blood of Lord Jesus Christ and through Him we have direct entry in the presence of God.
And because we have direct entry in His presence we do not die.
Thus, Jesus has protected us from the wrath of God, and we are under the merciful covering of His blood.
So, where have we fled? Towards the City of Refuge. This means we have rested (anchored) our faith in Lord Jesus Christ.
Now, we know that these 5 points about the City of Refuge refer to Lord Jesus Christ.
Just like the appointment of the Cities of Refuge was done by God,
the appointment of Jesus Christ to be our saviour, was also done by God Himself.
Before this Earth, you and me were created, God knew man would sin.
Man will sin on this Earth, and as a remedy to this, God appointed Lord Jesus Christ as our saviour from sins.
Point 2 - "Security"- Anyone who ran into the City, was safe. But if he stopped or waited,
and did not run towards the city and if the avenger catches him, then its his fault.
Even after understanding the Gospel, people today prefer to stand still, they are not running towards our City of Refuge.
And what happens then, avenger (death) gets hold of them and its all over.
and then they go to that place where there is crying and biting of teeth and face tortures, just because they did not run.
towards our Refuge, Lord Jesus Christ.
You ran towards Him, you have anchored your faith in Him and you.
Anyone who enters that city of refuge, automatically he is secure and safe.
Similarly anyone who comes to Christ runs towards Him, he is secure and safe. God's wrath doesn't follow him.
For. e.g. In Egypt, God said that He would kill the first born of every household,except the ones
There was only one exception given! Can anyone tell me?
Exodus 12:7 " And they shall take of the blood, and strike it on the two side posts and on the upper door post of the houses, wherein they shall eat it". The household that does this will be safe.
That house is their City of Refuge. Those who have blood on the upper post of their house, will be safe.
"Lord Jesus" is the "lamb" who is sacrificed and the "upper post" is our "heart".
After our hearts are covered under Jesus's blood, our body, soul and spirit is safe and secure in Christ.
We get over the wrath of God.
One who is in Christ, he has crossed death and entered "Life" and he does not face wrath of God. Praise God
Anyone over here, who has anchored his faith in Christ, has crossed and got over death and entered eternal life.
and he no longer faces the wrath and judgement of God.
Bible says so in John 5:24. Please read it
John 5:24 " Verily, verily, I say unto you, He that heareth my word, and believeth on him that sent me, hath everlasting life,
and shall not into condemnation; but is passed from death unto life".
Thus, this verse is true for everyone who have entered His Refuge.
This verse is for anyone who has rested his faith in Jesus, he is safe now.
Point 3 - "Located on High". God had chosen it to be built on a high place, so that it was easily visible to everyone
After Jesus Christ went into heaven, His disciples spread the Gospel throughout the world.
Everybody knows Jesus. Today Gospel is spread throughout the world through the sky. Can anyone tell me how?
Through radio channels, satellites. Evangelists might not reach there personally but their message does. Praise the Lord.
Gospel has reached everywhere, no one can will be without his knowledge.
That's Jesus's Salvation is known to everyone, and He has given us the responsibility
to spread His gospel and salvation even further to as many as possible.
Thus, it is our responsibility to raise Him, keep Him on high so that everyone knows and sees Him. Praise the Lord!
He wants us to hold Jesus high so that others could see Him.
He was raised on the cross, and that has attracted and brought many souls to God just like magnet.
Point 4 - "Roads Leading to the City of Refuge" were constantly maintained. Road leading to Christ is not difficult
God has not kept any hindrances on our way to "Salvation".
There is a very wonderful song written by N.V.Tilak. it goes like this"meditation, contemplation, chanting mantras all are fruitless,
no one will take away my sins, but you.
Meditation, contemplation, chanting mantras, people do so many things
N.V.Tilak here said, it was all fruitless. All these things yield nothing.
Only Jesus can take away our sins and no one else.
In the New Testament we come across two prayers, one of the Pharisee and one of the Tax collector.
How big was Tax collector's prayer? Just one sentence. Luke 18:13 " God be merciful to me a sinner" that's all.
and he was justified in front of God. Praise the Lord. Its so simple. The road to Jesus is clear
This road, of believing in Christ, coming into salvation, is simple. Just believe in Christ and that's all.
It is that simple.what should we do? What should I do to receive Salvation?
Repent for your sins and anchor your faith in Jesus Christ
The road to Salvation is not difficult. But once you enter salvation
you will face some difficulties, but God provides us with His power to get over them.
The road ahead is narrow, but there is no hindrance whilst entering Salvation.
Anyone who rests his faith in Christ and believes in Him, even while dying, will be saved. But don't wait that late!
because no one knows when that time will come.
Thus, God has kept this road without hindrance.
Point 5 - " Doors of the City of refuge were to be kept open 24X7"
This means the doors leading to Jesus are always open, but only till the "RAPTURE"
After rapture the TRIBULATION PERIOD will start and then it is going to be very tough.
That's why I tell you my friends, don't wait. Don't be late.
As soon as you know about Jesus, and learn about Gospel accept Him as your saviour, and He will take you into never ending joy
The Earth will face adversity and God doesn't want us to be caught in it.
And that's why today these doors are open. Once the door is closed you won't be able to enter.
The door of Noah's ark was also open, upto a certain time, and then its said that God closed the door.
And if God closes the door, no one can open it.
You might say, we will come to Him during tribulation period. That possibility is rare.
Because if you have received His word now and still haven't come under His mercy, there's meek chance He will take you at that time.
Instead at that time Satan will be working, through his satanic spirits, confusing and misleading people.
Before that time comes, accept Jesus, the door is open, go inside and be with Him in eternal land and eternal life. Praise the Lord