Sanctuary City

Back in the Old Testament there was a concept of the Sanctuary City. In the days of Joshua’s conquest of the Promised Land, people who felt their family had been slighted in any way would declare a blood feud. They’d assign a family member to seek vengeance, which usually meant they’d kill the offender.

By the way, the concept of “eye for an eye” was to limit the vengeance, so someone who said something nasty wouldn’t be killed for the insult. It really meant “let the punishment suit the crime,” not “you blinded me so I get to blind you.”

Back to Sanctuary Cities.

If you were accused of something and knew someone was out for revenge, you could hide out in a specially designated city assigned in that era. The person seeking vengeance was prohibited from exercising his revenge until:

The elders of the city declared you guilty and booted you out.

If found innocent, you could stay until the high priest of the city died.

That was The Law. You’d get a hearing, then a judgement, usually at one of the gates of the city. The roads to these cities were to be cleared, leveled, marked, and easy to travel. Even resident aliens were eligible for refuge.

Fast forward to the Roman Empire. Jesus died on the cross, was rejected by God the Father for three days, then rose from the dead to be our High Priest. As noted by the Apostle Paul, even gentiles (non-Jews) were eligible to be saved. They were adopted into God’s family.

That means the People of God have refuge in the Spiritual Israel, with Jesus as High Priest. He’ll never die. So Satan, the Accuser, cannot exact revenge on us because Jesus will never die.

The Romans Road is clearly marked. The Way is simple, and when the New Jerusalem descends to Earth at the end of time, you’ll be there.

Safe.

If you don’t seek refuge, you’re open to the Accuser’s punishment.

God gives you the choice, and won’t force you into His City of Refuge.