Jos 20:1 The LORD also spake unto Joshua, saying,
Jos 20:2 Speak to the children of Israel, saying, Appoint out for you cities of refuge, whereof I spake unto you by the hand of Moses:
[read all of Joshua 20 for a closer look]
Well my friends, we’ve talked about these six cities of refuge all week and I trust you’ve been blessed, but this morning I want to bring up something that seems unfinished to me regarding these six cities of refuge.
It’s that there are only six.
The number six refers to many things in the Bible, but it’s first mentioned in Genesis 1:31 when God created man on the sixth day.
According to Bible scholars, just as the number 7 typically signifies completion or perfection especially of God, the number 6 is one shy of that, which mean it can signify imperfection.
The number six is the number of man, and as such, its not complete.
So here is my thought.
God never intended for six to be the final number for the cities of refuge.
To leave it to six makes it incomplete and imperfect; but I propose God intended seven cities, and the church, His church, that Great city sat on a hill was to be the seventh and final city of refuge.
His church was to be the greatest city of refuge of them all.
Walk with me this morning as we tour this Magnificent City.
Psa 87:3 Glorious things are spoken of thee, O city of God. Selah.
The plan of it’s construction, was, and is, flawless.
No detail is overlooked.
He spared no expense.
The workmanship is perfect.
The site He chose for it is like no other.
Of all the breathtaking places of His creation the place of His church exceeds them all.
Psa 48:2 Beautiful for situation, the joy of the whole earth, is mount Zion, on the sides of the north, the city of the great King.
The date of it’s construction is uncertain.
It’s older than the The Ark of Noah, or Tower of Babel.
It’s older than the ancient cities of the world, Rome, Nineveh, Babylon.
It was standing before the flood.
It has endured all the earthquakes, all the tsunami‘s, all the hurricanes, all the fires, and all the great natural disasters in time past.
It’s almost as old as creation itself!
It’s defenses are like no other; it is surrounded by the protecting hands of Almighty God.
No weapon formed against it has ever been successful, and no weapon ever formed will prosper.
It is supplied with the best of everything
The best gold, the best silver, and bronze.
She has weapons like no other.
Her fruits are the best in all the world.
Her water is clear and pure, and an endless supply.
There is enough for all citizens of all time, regardless of their thirst.
Her source of all these things does not come from without, but within, and therefore is limitless in supply.
The Great high priest of the church is called wonderful, counselor, the mighty God, everlasting father, and Prince of peace.
The rulers of the world have never been able to stop him.
The powers of the world have never been able to silence him.
His greatness cannot be compared, computed, comprehended or controlled.
His plans never fail.
He goes forward and cannot be held back.
He goes backwards and cannot be stopped.
He has never been mastered by all of this world’s plans and schemes.
He marks the spot and cannot be challenged.
He is greater than all the kings, in all the kingdoms, in all the known and unknown worlds.
He is as gentle as a lamb, and yet powerful like a lion.
Nothing can hold him down, and no one can prop him up.
He saves who he will, when he will, however he wills.
No artist can fully paint him.
No book is large enough to describe him.
Heaven is his throne, and earth is his footstool, He holds the whole world in His hands, but yet, He lives in our heart.
He it is that stands at the gate and He bids you come in and find rest for your soul; it is His city of refuge and it’s the Greatest of them a
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Are you living in His city of refuge?