It's like preaching, you don't just decide one day you're going to do it. If God hasn't called you, that's a dangerous place to put yourself.
It is ironic, and I try to show that to Atheists. It tears them up, lol. To be told they are religious and have a Religion of their own.
But they have preachers, teachers, missionaries, evangelists, apologists, "holy books," "holy" days...the list is longer, but you get the point, I am sure.
Look up "religion" and see how many comparisons you can make. It makes for a great lesson. And if you can get your audience to understand the parallels, you better equip them to deal with atheists in a way that is different than the usual tendency (my own Pastor simply states they are morons, lol, he will not witness to atheists).
Never really thought about it before, but I can see that.
The writer makes it very clear what "other" assembly is in view: the assembly of Judaizers.
Chapter Ten has as a focus remission of sins, and as many places in the Epistle, the contrasting of the First Covenant (Covenant of Law) and the New Covenant.
His point is that the Hebrew People he is writing to fully embrace Christ, and the "forsaking of the assembling of the brethren" is a reference to those who reject the New Covenant and all that entails, and continue in the Law.
Hebrews Ten is one of the most important Chapters in all of Scripture for us to understand. In it we see one of the most clear statements of the Security of the Believer, if not the clearest:
Hebrews 10:14
King James Version (KJV)
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
Now if you consider the theme of "perfection" which speaks of "being made complete," rather than something being "perfect" as it is usually considered in modern use, we see the contrast between the Law (vv.1-4) and the Sacrifice of Christ. Those sacrifices could not make the comer thereunto (the worshipper) perfect (complete) in regards to the subject in view, which is the taking away of sins. Above we see that the Sacrifice of Christ not only makes the one sanctified by His Offering, but the completion is noted in that it states...for ever.
This is what God promised in the New Testament:
Hebrews 10:14-18
King James Version (KJV)
14 For by one offering he hath perfected for ever them that are sanctified.
15 Whereof the Holy Ghost also is a witness to us: for after that he had said before,
16 This is the covenant that I will make with them after those days, saith the Lord, I will put my laws into their hearts, and in their minds will I write them;
17 And their sins and iniquities will I remember no more.
18 Now where remission of these is, there is no more offering for sin.
Now note carefully v.18.
We are going to see that again very soon, and it's importance, as well as it's simplicity, is often overlooked or misunderstood:
Hebrews 10:26-29
King James Version (KJV)
26 For if we sin wilfully after that we have received the knowledge of the truth, there remaineth no more sacrifice for sins,
The reason there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin is because the sacrifices of the Law are no longer valid. Many will preach the willful sin in view is "forsaking the assembling of the brethren," and that in a context of quitting Church.
However, it is as simple as the writer exhorts his brethren not to forsake the assembling of Christian fellowship. They would do this in returning to the Law, and the writer will help us see that in the next few verses.
27 But a certain fearful looking for of judgment and fiery indignation, which shall devour the adversaries.
The judgment is for adversaries, contrasted with chastisement for sinning children of God. The judgment in view is most likely eternal judgment.
28 He that despised Moses' law died without mercy under two or three witnesses:
This begins another contrast of the Covenant of Law with the New Covenant.
The point is, those who rejected that Covenant were punished, and how much worse it will be for those who...
29 Of how much sorer punishment, suppose ye, shall he be thought worthy, who hath trodden under foot the Son of God, and hath counted the blood of the covenant, wherewith he was sanctified, an unholy thing, and hath done despite unto the Spirit of grace?
Not going to "Church" is not in view, but rejection of the New Covenant through which remission of sins is made complete for ever for those sanctified through Christ's death. Here we see the willful sin is rejecting Christ, His sacrifice, and the ministry of the Holy Spirit (the Comforter's distinct ministry is in view).
The writer does not teach here we have to go to Church and if we don't...there remaineth no more sacrifice for sin, for, regardless of what sin anyone commits...there remains no other sacrifice for sin one can turn to. We do not, as Christians, see the necessity for Christ's sacrifice to parallel the sacrifices of the economies prior to the New Covenant. It happened once and is complete, and capable of making complete the issue of remission of sins on an eternal level.
Hebrews 6 is another area where the L.O.S.T. (loss of salvation teachers) abuse the text and teach loss of salvation. As we see here, there also, rejection of the New Covenant is in view. They were in danger of "crucifying Christ again," which they would do when they offered up again an animal sacrifice according to the Law.
So back to your question, the assembling of the brethren was forsaken when these Hebrews, who became associated with Christianity, returned to the Law, thus showing rejection for the New Covenant and hence rejecting the only sacrifice that could benefit them. For there is no other Sacrifice that any man can turn to.
Sorry again for the length.
God bless.
