*NOT FORSAKING THE ASSEMBLING OF OURSELVES...* WE are thankful to God for yet another beautiful Lord's Day. The Bible is the most important piece of information that can be found anywhere in the world. It is the Word of God. God has created us totally accountable to Him for our actions. The Bible is a book of instructions given to us by God, so that we can begin to understand about God who created us, as well as, our personal relationship with Him. Keep in mind that the future is bleak and terrible as it possibly can be, until we know about the Lord Jesus Christ. Christ has truly become our Saviour, because the big problem is sin and the penalty for sin is eternal damnation. It is only through Christ there is an escape from that penalty. In our study together today, by God's mercy, we will be thinking on Hebrews chapter 10 verses 25 and 26. Hopefully, by God's mercy, we will be seeking to finding a biblical conclusion regarding that passage. Come with me: In Hebrews chapter 10 verses 25 and 26 the Bible teaches: Hebrews 10:25-26 (KJV) *"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.* *For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"* Here, the context is definitely speaking about the end times. The word *"together"* in that passage is not in the original Greek. The translators literally smuggled that word into that passage. In the original Greek writings, it says, *"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves..."* Again, the word exhorting means comforting one another as we see the day (end) approaching. The phrase, *"as we see the day approaching"* is a very big clue, because the passage is specifically talking about our day (the end times). Again, notice that the word *"assembling"* is used in one other place in the New Testament, namely, 2 Thessalonians 2:1 (KJV) *"Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,"* This passage really helps us to understand the use of the word assembling in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 25. The word gathering is exactly the same word as assembling in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 25. In other words, Christ said earlier in another passage that there will be two in the field, one will be taken and the other left. We are not gathered to Christ as a group of people or as an assembly of people. No. Again, we do not assemble, for example, in a mountain of some kind as a group of people waiting for Christ to take us to himself. It is a one by one proposition. So, the word assembling or gathering is not emphasizing an assembly of people altogether in one place. It simply typifies how we are gathered to Christ. As a matter of fact, the real focus in Hebrews chapter 10 verses 25 is: *"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves..."* Underline the word ourselves. As we move further, we also notice the phrase, *"exhorting or comforting one another."* The question then is, where do we get our comfort or exhortation from? Our comfort and exhortation comes from the Word of God. As we keep reading and meditating on the Word of God, He gives us comfort as we fellowship with Him through His Word. Incidentally, verse 26 of Hebrews chapter 10 is often missed. *"For..."* Now, God is continuing on this matter of assembling of ourselves. Hebrews 10:26 (KJV) *"For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,"* Here, we see such a crazy statement (I say that very carefully). As we compare spiritual with spiritual, is this passage saying that if we willfully sin, that there is no sacrifice for sin (no forgiveness for sin)? In other words, that there is no salvation for us if we willfully sin? No. That is not what the Bible is saying. The Bible is very clear that Christ came for sinners and every sin is willful. But, why is God saying that there is no hope, if we sin willfully? You see, let us understand that there is only one place in the whole wide world, where you could sin willfully and there is no sacrifice for sin (no forgiveness). That place is in the local churches and congregations of our day. I don't care what church you belong to in these last days, there is absolutely no sacrifice for sin in all the local churches and congregations of our day. Why? Because the Holy Spirit had since abandoned the local churches and congregations of our day. Sacrifice for sin means bringing of salvation and throughout the history of the world, there has always been the possibility of salvation. But now in our day, within the local churches and congregations, there is no possibility of salvation. The Holy Spirit is not there to save or forgive Wonderfully, outside of the local churches and congregations of our day, the Holy Spirit is saving and forgiving people today. Revelation 7:9 (KJV) *"After this I beheld, and, lo, a great multitude, which no man could number, of all nations, and kindreds, and people, and tongues, stood before the throne, and before the Lamb, clothed with white robes, and palms in their hands;"* These great multitudes are saved in our day, the end times. Notice that the Bible says that they were clothed with white robes. Typifying that they were all saved. Also notice that they are not saved within the local churches and congregations of our day, because there is no possibility of salvation in there. The Bible clearly indicates that the Holy Spirit has abandoned the local churches and congregations of our day. So, with the benefit of the above informations, we now know that the assembling of ourselves has to be outside of the local churches and congregations of our day, where the Holy Spirit is still applying the Word of God unto salvation and not within the local churches and congregations. Furthermore, during the church age, we were commanded by God to come under the authority of the local churches and congregations. Then, we often encourage people to find a church that is reasonably true to the Word of God to fellowship with. That was God's program and wishes for us during the church age. However, while we are staying outside of the local churches and congregations of our day, we do not live a wild, nonchalant life caring less about the Bible. No. The biblical rule is *"Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves..."* In other words, our assembling is with the Father, Son and the Holy Spirit. How? Through the Word of God. Spend quality time with the Word of God. Spend quality time praying and fellowshipping with God, even though we do not have the encouragement of church rulers like we did during the church age. So, let's bear it in mind, that Hebrews chapter 10 verses 25 and 26 is talking about our fellowship with God and not with other people. As we grow in grace, we have more and more intimate relationship with God. That's where our strength comes from. Our spiritual strength doesn't come from other people, our spiritual strength comes from God. Unfortunately, the vast preponderance of people in the local churches and congregations of our day put their trust in their pastors and church leaders, rather than in the Lord Jesus Christ. Today, in our day, we do not have the possibility of putting our trust in church rulers. Our trust has to be in Christ and Christ alone. It is me and Christ not me, someone else and God. Today, the local churches and congregations of our day do not stand in-between us and God. It is me and God alone. What a wonderful relationship we have with God. Lord, could it be that you would help us learn correctly. Amen. Igwenagu