CITY OF REFUGE

            In Numbers 35 Israel was instructed to give the Levites 48 cities in Israel and 6 of these were go be cities of refuge for the people who accidentally killed someone. Under the law the next of kin of the one who was killed could avenge that person’s blood by killing the one who had accidentally taken a life. These cities of Refuge were places where those in danger could flee and have safety. Sinners are in danger of eternal death. The place of refuge is Christ to whom we flee to lay hold on the hope set before us of eternal life (Hebrews 6:19). Since the church is the body of Christ to come to Christ is to come to the church. So the church is our city of refuge from eternal death. Let us notice some comparisons.

            1. Cities of refuge are for those in danger of death.

“For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord.” (Romans 6:23). All men need this refuge because, “All have sinned, and come short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23). The lake of fire and brimstone is the second death (Revelation 21:8). This is everlasting punishment (Matthew 25:46). However, Jesus has become a refuge offering us eternal life if we will only believe in Him and obey Him. “And being made perfect, he became the author of eternal salvation unto all them that obey him” (Hebrews 5:8, 9).

            2. When in danger they had to flee to the city of refuge

There was no protection without the city. Likewise there is no salvation outside of Jesus Christ. He blesses with all spiritual blessings in Him (Ephesians 1:3). The fulness of Christ’s blessings are in his church over which he presides as head and which is his body. (Ephesians 1:22, 23). The way we flee to Christ is to believe, repent and be baptized for the remission of sins (Acts 2:38). This baptism puts us in Christ and it is here that we put on Christ (Galatians 3:27). We should not hesitate to do this because we are in danger of death at all times. If we die in our sins we cannot go where he is (John 8:21). According to Acts 1:9-11 he ascended up to heaven. So if we die in our sins we cannot go to heaven. With this in mind now is the accepted time to flee to Christ for refuge.
            3. The City of Refuge was for Israel and the Strangers.  

The gospel of Christ is the power of God for the salvation of Jew and Gentile (Romans 1:16). “And the Spirit and the bride say, Come. And let him that heareth say, Come. And let him that is athirst come. And whosoever will, let him take of the water of life freely” (Revelation 22:17). Peter opened the doors of the Lord’s church on Pentecost day after the ascension of Jesus and they have never been closed since then. Regardless of nationality, race or background all can flee for refuge to Jesus Christ and be added to His church.

            4. They had to abide in the city of refuge to remain safe from death.

They were not forced to remain but if they left the borders of the city the avenger of blood could kill them and be guiltless. In the same way, once we find the way of truth and become a part of the Lord’s church we must remain in it to go to heaven. To wander back into the world of sin is to invite eternal death. Those who feared persecution and so failed to continue living the Christian life were told that the lake of fire awaited them (Revelation 21:8). Jesus said, “I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing. If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.” (John 15:5, 6). The Lord in telling of the terrible times the Judeans faced when Jerusalem would be besieged and destroyed said, “And then shall many be offended, and shall betray one another, and shall hate one another...And because iniquity shall abound the love of many shall wax cold. But he that shall endure unto the end, the same shall be saved.” (Matthew 24:10, 12, 13). To leave the Lord and his church is the road to destruction because Christ is the savior of the body (Ephesians 5:23). If you are in the Lord’s church don’t let anything turn you aside.

            5. A Plain Way to these cities was prepared.

The Lord’s plan of salvation is so plain that one would have to have help to misunderstand it. It is the “He” who believes and is baptized that shall be saved (Mark 16:16). Believers who repent and are baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the remission of sins receive the promise (Acts 2:38, 39). Sinners come today to Jesus and be saved!      C. D.

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