The Lord came to Abram when he was ninety-nine years old and said to him, “As for Me, behold, My covenant is with you, and you shall be a father of many nations. No longer shall your name be called Abram, but your name shall be Abraham, for I have made you a father of many nations.” (Genesis 17:2-5)

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The Lord then told Abraham, “As for Sarai your wife, you shall not call her name Sarai, but Sarah shall be her name. She shall be a mother of nations, and kings of peoples shall be from her.” (Genesis 17:15-16)

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Jacob wrestled with God and would not let Him go until He blessed him. The Lord said, “Your name shall no longer be called Jacob, (meaning supplanter, Genesis 27:36) but Israel, for you have struggled with God and with men, and have prevailed.” (Genesis 32:24-28)

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When the angel Gabriel came to Mary, he told her she would conceive in her womb and bring forth a Son, and she will call His name Jesus. He will be great and will be called the Son of the Highest. (Luke 1:31-32)

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We can glean from these scriptures the importance of a name. We can also see the importance of the names of cities in scripture, for they as well have a spiritual DNA and destiny to them.

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Note the six Cities of Refuge that were appointed. Sanctified and set apart for a sacred purpose. (Joshua 20:1-9)

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Kedesh - *Holy Place*

• Located in the mountains Naphtali.

• Sanctified, set apart, consecrate, or dedicate for a divine purpose.

• SANCTUARY: A Holy Place - Jehovah Shammah – The Lord is There (Ezekiel 48:35)

• SANCTUARY: A Holy Place - The Ekklesia (1 Peter 2:9)

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Shechem - *Ridge, Shoulder*

• Located in the mountains of Ephraim.

• A range of hills or mountains, a part of a hill or mountain near the top, a lateral protrusion or extension of a hill or mountain.

• Isaiah 9:6 “For unto us a Child is born, unto us a Son is given, and the government will be upon His shoulder.”

• GOVERNMENT:  A Place of Government. (Mountains in scripture speaks of government)

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Hebron – *Seat of Association*

• Located in the mountains of Judah.

• An organization of persons having a common interest: Society

• The state of being associated: Combination, Relationship

• Psalm 133:1 “Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!”

• UNITY: A Place of Unity.

 

Bezer – *Fortress*

• Located in the wilderness on the plain.

• A fortified place: Stronghold

• A military stronghold. A protected place where members of a military group stay and can defend themselves against attacks.

• Zechariah 2:5 “For I, says the Lord, will be a wall of fire all around her, and I will be the glory in her midst.”

• STRONGHOLD: A Place where the Army stands guard. (Ephesians 6:12)

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Ramoth – *Heights*

• Located in Gilead.

• The part that rises or extends upward the greatest distance: Summit

• Psalm 78:69 “And He built His sanctuary like the heights, like the earth which He has established forever.”

• Micah 4:1-2 “Now it shall come to pass in the latter days that the mountain of the Lord’s house shall be established on the top of the mountains and shall be exalted above the hills and peoples shall flow to it. Many nations shall come and say, “come, and let us go up to the mountain of the Lord, to the house of the God of Jacob. He will teach us His ways and we shall walk in His paths. For out of Zion the law shall go forth and the word of the Lord from Jerusalem”

• HIGH PLACE: A Place of Education, Equipping (Ephesians 4:11-13)

• HIGH PLACE: A Place of Worship and Prayer (Matthew 21:13)

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Golan – *Captive, Exile*

• Located in Bashan.

• Taken and held as or as if a prisoner of war.

• Kept within bounds: CONFINED.

• To banish or expel from one’s own country or home.

• PLACE OF REFUGE: A Place of Refuge and Safety

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Today the Lord is building His City, that is incorporating all of the characteristics of the six cities noted above.  

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• A SANCTUARY – A HOLY PLACE WHERE JEHOVAH SHAMMAH IS THERE, AND THE EKKLESIA.

• A PLACE OF GOVERNMENT – WITH THE OPERATION OF THE FIVE-FOLD MINISTERS.

• A PLACE OF UNITY – UNITY IN DIVERSITY (1 CORINTHIANS 12:4-11) BRETHREN DWELLING TOGETHER IN UNITY.

• A STRONGHOLD – THE ARMY OF GOD STANDING GUARD.

• A HIGH PLACE – EQUIPPING CENTER, PLACE OF WORSHIP AND PRAYER

• A PLACE OF REFUGE – THE LORD IS OUR REFUGE AND STRENGTH

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The Municipality of Chatham-Kent has been given a spiritual name:

Jehovah Rapha 

The God who brings deliverance, the God who keeps people whole, and the Lord who heals. (Exodus 15:22-26)

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Jehovah Shammah (Canada)

The Lord is There (Ezek. 48:35)

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