Hebrews 10:24-25 
By: Jim Josephsen

“And let us consider how to provoke one another to love and to good works, not forsaking our own assembling together as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another and all the more as you see the day approaching.” 
 

 From the Word of God we understand that we are to consider one another, to encourage and stimulate one another unto good works and love; not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, but exhorting one another (to meet together), and so much more as we see the day approaching. The day approaching is the Day of the Lord and the return of Jesus Christ. Notice Hebrews 10:37, “For yet a little while and he that shall come will come and not tarry.”
 

            I Corinthians 3:13 Every man’s works shall be made manifest: for the day shall declare it because it shall be revealed by fire and the fires shall try every man’s works of what sort it is.”
 

            Philippians 1:11 “That you may approve things that are excellent: that you may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ.”

            When you live through each week, going to work, raising a family, talking to neighbors, going to the store, filling your car with gas; are you at peace, are you comfortable, are you undisturbed by the events and news of the day? If you’re like most Americans, you are asking when will it all stop; when will the gas prices go down, when will inflation settle, when will the housing market stabilize; when will we have peace and security in the land again? Living in today’s world it is hard to have rest, peace and a sense of calm during the storm.
 

            The Bible is full of prophetic warnings, cataloging the end time events that will rock this world and especially the United States and the British Commonwealth Nations just before the return of Jesus Christ. Most people don’t believe that; thousands of Christians aren’t comfortable with the idea that Jesus Christ is actually returning to the earth to rule on the earth out of His world headquarters, Jerusalem.

            Jesus Christ said that there will come a time of such tribulation that unless those days be shorten (unless God intervenes) there would be no flesh left, Matthew 24:21.
 

            There are too many events occurring today that were predicted to happen by the prophets of old, all of whom were inspired by God to write the things they did. God full well knew what man was capable of, given the opportunity. And so it was no big stretch of the imagination for God to reveal the end times events, centuries before they occurred. Those events are now occurring as man carries out his innate responses and common behaviors as left unchecked and unobstructed. God knows the heart of man and God can predict what nations and peoples will automatically do, given the opportunity to do.
 

            You are living in the “end times” and the return of Jesus Christ is indeed at hand, sooner than most think. The day is approaching and an admonition has gone out to the church and to those who will heed the warning and choose to become a member of the Church of God – forsake not the assembling of yourselves together.
 

Just how can you fulfill this admonition?
 

Remember the Sabbath Day to keep it Holy; so states the Fourth Commandment. Reading Leviticus 23:3 we understand that on the Sabbath Day we are required to assemble in Holy convocation. What many commonly call, “going to church,” God’s people understand as convening a worship service in order to honor God through the singing of hymns and learning of God, of His required lifestyle and of His righteousness as taught through reading the Word of God. On the Sabbath Day, once a week every Saturday, God’s people congregate in worship services, in Holy convocation.
 

Why did God command a Holy convocation? What is the importance of regularly attending a local congregation? We do so to hear the words of the scriptures expounded through sermons and bible studies; all of which will  inspire and enable the listener to change and become more perfect as God our Father is perfect, Matthew 5:48.
 

We also gather together in order to consider one another, provoking one another unto good works of righteous behavior and behaviors that exemplify the love of Jesus Christ;  and encouraging one another not to  forsake assembling on the Sabbath. The Sabbath Day is a safe haven, a port to rest in during the storms of life. It is a Holy Day on which you share your time with God and God’s people.
 

When we meet together on the Sabbath Day, we learn to appreciate others as we grow to understand one another on a personal level. The Sabbath Day provides so many blessings: rest, peace, peace of mind and an ever-increasing strengthening relationship with God. The Sabbath Day is a weekly reminder for the people of God to know who they are and why they have been called. Keeping the Sabbath puts life into perspective and grants the worshippers peace of mind and calm during the raging storms that the world now throws at us. 
 

Keeping the Sabbath with God’s people promotes spiritual growth.  When we meet together, we encourage one another and support one another.
 

The Intercontinental Church of God Chicago/Western Suburbs congregation provides you the opportunity to understand how to worship The Father in spirit and in truth, to learn the sincere, faithful and true Words of God as you gather once a week on God’s Holy Sabbath Day.  And so much more as we see the Day approaching.