429 Do not forsake assembling together

Do you forsake assembling together with Elohim’s people?

We read Rav Shaul’s warning message in Hebrews 10: 23 – 25, in this way: ‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;(24) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (25)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 drawing near.’ The first warning sign of offence or weakness in a member of our community is withdrawal and a habit of missing Sabbath services with the body of Messiah. When people start to fall away from YHVH, it happens over a period of time – it is not a sudden thing.

Most people, who used to attend services with the churches of the world, attended when they feel like it, or when it was ‘possible’. Such people hold that church attendance does not increase one’s righteousness, and they could just as easily listen to ‘praise and worship’ services on their TV or radio. Whilst they were members of the churches of the world, they were not obliged to obey Torah, since at that time they believed Torah was abolished for believers in Messiah. But, what command has Rav Shaul referred to in Hebrews 10: 25 quoted above? When YHVH commanded the ancient nation of Israel at Mount Sinai, after leading them out of Egypt by the hand of Moses, He said specifically in Exodus 20: 8: “Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy (Set-apart).” In Leviticus 23 YHVH stipulated in detail when and how He wants us to worship Him, saying in verse 3: ‘For six days work may be done; but on the seventh day there is a Sabbath of complete rest, a holy convocation. You shall not do any work: it is a Sabbath to YHVH in all your dwellings.’ The word convocation used here, means we are called together to worship YHVH in an assembly or congregation.

Rav Shaul continues in Galatians 6: 2 – 10, saying: ‘Bear one another’s burdens, and thus fulfill the law of Messiah. (3) For if anyone thinks he is something when he is nothing, he deceives himself. (4) But let each one examine his own work, and then he will have reason for boasting in regard to himself alone, and not in regard to another. (5) For each one shall bear his own load. (6) And let the one who is taught the word share all good things with him who teaches. (7) Do not be deceived, Elohim is not mocked; for whatever a man sows, this he will also reap. (8) For the one who sows to his own flesh shall from the flesh reap corruption, but the one who sows to the Spirit shall from the Spirit reap eternal life. (9) And let us not lose heart in doing good, for in due time we shall reap if we do not grow weary. (10) So then, while we have opportunity, let us do good to all men, and especially to those who are of the household of the faith.’The prophet Ezekiel wrote about the re-gathering of Israel in the end of days in Ezekiel 20: 17 – 25, saying: ‘Yet My eye spared them rather than destroying them, and I did not cause their annihilation in the wilderness. (18) And I said to their children in the wilderness, “Do not walk in the statutes of your fathers, or keep their ordinances, or defile yourselves with their idols. (19) I am YHVH your Elohim; walk in My statutes, and keep My ordinances, and observe them.(20) And sanctify My Sabbaths; and they shall be a sign between Me and you, that you may know that I am YHVH your Elohim.”(21) But the children rebelled against Me; they did not walk in My statutes, nor were they careful to observe My ordinances, by which, if a man observes them, he will live; they profaned My Sabbaths. So I resolved to pour out My wrath on them, to accomplish My anger against them in the wilderness.(22)But I withdrew My hand and acted for the sake of My name, that it should not be profaned in the sight of the nations in whose sight I had brought them out. (23)Also I swore to them in the wilderness that I would scatter them among the nations and disperse them among the lands, (24)because they had not observed My ordinances, but had rejected My statutes, and had profaned My Sabbaths, and their eyes were on the idols of their fathers. (25)And I also gave them statutes that were not good and ordinances by which they could not live.’ YHVH promised that because of the rebellion of the children of Israel, he eventually gave them statutes that were not good and pagan ordinances by which they could not live, such as Sunday worship, Xmas and Easter which could not provide them with the blessings and benefits of serving Him on the Feast Days in which He specified how and when to worship Him in Leviticus 23.

However as YHVH promised in Deuteronomy 4: 30 & 31[1], He says in Ezekiel 20: 33 – 38, as follows: “As I live,” declares YHVH Elohim, “surely with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and with wrath poured out, I shall be king over you. (34) And I shall bring you out from the peoples and gather you from the lands where you are scattered, with a mighty hand and with an outstretched arm and wrath poured out (This is obviously talking about Yahshua who is the mighty (right) hand and outstretched arm of YHVH, known as severity, discipline and strength in Kabbalah, transliterated as ‘Gevurah’in Hebrew.);(35) and I shall bring you into the wilderness of the peoples, and there I shall enter into judgment with you face to face. (36) As I entered into judgment with your fathers in the wilderness of the land of Egypt, so I will enter into judgment with you,” declares YHVH Elohim. (37) And I shall make you pass under the rod, and I shall bring you into the bond of the covenant; (38)and I shall purge from you the rebels and those who transgress against Me; I shall bring them out of the land where they sojourn, but they will not enter the land of Israel. Thus you will know that I am YHVH.’ Even though YHVH will once again be merciful to us the descendants of the lost ten tribes, He will definitely not tolerate any rebels in His coming kingdom! We need to be very careful of people who have been rebellious in their entire outlook on life. Some who wish to join themselves to Nazarene/ Messianic Jewish/Israelite congregations, left most of their previous affiliations to formal churches, because they found these churches to be a legalistic bondageto their so-called free spirits. They left these groups not because of false doctrines, but because they did not ever want to be told what to do.

As a result there is a prevalent attitude amongst some who join our groups from Churchianity, and because they had bad experiences with most of their previous affiliations, they do not really want be part of a congregation. In fact they feel that it is not necessary for them to be part of any particular group. I know some of them who claim that Yahshua Messiah is their leader and they reject any pastoral authority. I believe Hebrews 10: 25 deals specifically with this type of loner attitude. However, as a believer called-out of the false religious systems of the world you are part of the Body of Messiah, or more specifically the commonwealth of Israel and there will be no such thing as a loner in the Kingdom of Elohim. We are part of one Body and must therefore be part of a local congregation. The point is that we are collectively part of the Body of Messiah working together for the wellbeing and benefit of each other and to live as examples in the world. We read accordingly from first Corinthians 12: 12 – 18, in this way: ‘For even as the body is one and yet has many members, and all the members of the body, though they are many, are one body, so also is Messiah. (13) For by one Spirit we were all immersed into one body, whether Jews or Greeks, whether slaves or free, and we were all made to drink of one Spirit. (14) For the body is not one member, but many. (15) If the foot should say, “Because I am not a hand, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. (16) And if the ear should say, “Because I am not an eye, I am not a part of the body,” it is not for this reason any the less a part of the body. (17) If the whole body were and eye, where would the hearing be? If the whole were hearing, where would the sense of smell be? (18) But now Elohim has placed the members, each one of them, in the body, just as He desired.’

YHVH is at this time calling a remnant of the lost ten tribes to come back to the covenant that He made originally with our forefathers the ancient nation of Israel, at Mount Sinai. Rav Kepha wrote about the beginning of the process after Messiah’s ascension to heaven in Acts 2: 38 – 41, saying: “Repent, and let each of you be immersed in the name of Yahshua Messiah for the forgiveness of your sins; and you shall receive the gift of the Set-apart Spirit. (39) For the promise is for you and your children, and for all who are far off (meaning specifically Israelites from the ten lost tribes of Israel and not Judah), as many as YHVH our Elohim shall call to Himself[2].” (40) And with many other words he solemnly testified and kept on exhorting them, saying, “Be saved from this perverse generation!” (41) So then, those who had received his word were immersed; and there were added that day about three thousand souls.’ Time is very short and instead of staying away from services from time to time we should put in every effort to get to learn as much as possible, but also remember why we attached ourselves to the body in the first place. But what is happening to us is not unique to our time, as Rav Shaul already wrote about it in Hebrew 10: 25 saying there were some who were in the habit of missing Sabbath services. He was grieved over this, when he wrote in Romans 10: 13 – 15, saying: ‘For “WHOEVER WILL CALL UPON THE NAME OF YHVH, WILL BE SAVED.” (14) How then shall they call upon Him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher? (15) And how shall they preach unless they are sent? Just as it is written, “HOW BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO BRING GLAD TIDINGS OF GOOD THINGS!” According to this verse; preachers or teachers are the main dispatchers of truth, and very little Scriptural truth would be understood without them.

Rav Shaul continues on this subject in Ephesians 4: 4 -16, saying: ‘There is one body and one Spirit, just as also you were called in one hope of your calling;(5)one Master, one faith, one immersion, (6) One Elohimand Father of all who is over all and through all and in all. (7) But to each one of us grace was given according to the measure of Messiah’s gift. (8)Therefore it says, “WHEN HE ASCENDED ON HIGH, HE LED CAPTIVE A HOST OF CAPTIVES, AND HE GAVE GIFTS TO MEN.” (9)(Now this expression, “He ascended,” what does it mean except that He also had descended into the lower parts of the earth? (10)He who descended is Himself also He who ascended far above all the heavens, that He might fill all things.) (11)And He gave some as apostles, and some as prophets, and some as evangelists, and some as pastors and teachers, (12)for the equipping of the saints for the work of service, to the building up of the body of Messiah; (13)until we all attain to the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of Elohim, to a mature man, to the measure of the stature which belongs to the fullness of Messiah. (14)As a result, we are no longer to be children, tossed here and there by waves, and carried about by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of men, by craftiness in deceitful scheming; (15)but speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in all aspects into Him, who is the head, even Messiah, (16)from whom the whole body, being fitted and held together by that which every joint supplies, according to the proper working of each individual part, causes the growth of the body for the building up of itself in love.’Without a teacher who has gone through a discipleship program himself, the body of Messiah will not attain unity of faith, and the knowledge of the Son of Elohim – knowledge about how Yahshua became to be the first born-again Son of Elohim, after His resurrection, giving us the perfect example of how if we conform to the image of the Son, we will be born-again as Elohim’s children at Messiah’s coming to rule the world from Jerusalem. In addition, once we are fully trained, we will no longer be tossed here and there by every wind of doctrine, by the trickery of deceitful men.

It was also for this very reason that Rav Shaul felt it so important that we partake of the annual memorial Passover of Messiah, with the rest of the members of our congregation and the teacher who immersed us and is accordingly also responsible to teach us, according to the commission received from Messiah in Matthew 28: 18 – 20. Rav Shaul after introducing us to Messiah’s memorial Passover in first Corinthians 11: 23 – 26, wrote in verses 27 – 29, saying: ‘Therefore whoever eats the bread or drinks the cup of the Master in an unworthy (or flippant) manner (not spiritually prepared), shall be guilty of the body and the blood of the Master. (28) But let a man examine himself, and so let him eat of the bread and drink of the cup. (29) Forhe who eats and drinks, eat and drink judgment to himself, if he does not judge the body rightly.’ This is telling us that we need to firstly remember that according to Philippians 2: 6 - 8, that Messiah: ‘who although He existed in the form of Elohim, did not regard equality with Elohim a thing to be grasped, (7) but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. (8) And beingfound in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on the cross.’ Whereas as Elohim, He could not die, He became like one of us in human form, so that He could die for the sins of the world, but more specifically to remarry His bride – the house of Israel – whom He divorced.

Rav Shaul quoting from Psalm 40: 6 in the Septuagint Version of the Tanach, wrote about Yahshua saying in Hebrews 10: 4 –13:‘For it is impossible for the blood of bulls and goats to take away sins. (5) Therefore, when He comes into the world, He says, “SACRIFICE AND OFFERING THOU HAST NOT DESIRED, BUT A BODY THOU HAST PREPARED FOR ME; (6) IN WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN THOU HAST TAKEN NO PLEASURE. (7) THEN I SAID, ‘BEHOLD, I HAVE COME (IN THE ROLL OF THE BOOK IT IS WRITTEN OF ME) TO DO THY WILL, O ELOHIM.’” (8) ‘After saying above, “SACRIFICES AND OFFERINGS AND WHOLE BURNT OFFERINGS AND sacrifices FOR SIN THOU HAST NOT DESIRED, NOR HAST THOU TAKEN PLEASURE in them” (which are offered according to the {Sacrificial} Law), (9)then He said, ”BEHOLD, I HAVE COME TO DO THY WILL,” He takes away the firstin order to establish the second. (Yahshua did away with the Sacrificial Law where an animal was offered every time an Israelite from both houses sinned designated ‘the first’in verse 9, and established ‘the second’ way to deal with the sins of the people, by offering Himself on the stake once for all.) (10)By this will we have been sanctified through the offering of the body of Messiah Yahshua once for all. (11)And every priest stands daily ministering and offering time after time the same sacrifices, which can never take away sins; (12)but He, having offered one sacrifice for sins for all time, SAT DOWN AT THE RIGHT HAND OF ELOHIM, (13)waiting from that time onward UNTIL HIS ENEMIES BE MADE A FOOTSTOOL FOR HIS FEET.’

The fact that YHVH is going to make a new marriage covenant with us is recorded in Hebrews 10: 14 – 22, in this way: ‘For by one offering He has perfected for all time those who are sanctified (Set-apart for use by YHVH). (15) And the Set-apart Spirit also bears witness to us; for after saying, (16) “THIS IS THE COVENANT THAT I WILL MAKE WITH THEM AFTER THOSE DAYS, SAYS YHVH: I WILL PUT MY LAWS UPON THEIR HEART, AND UPON THEIR MIND I WILL WRITE THEM,” He then says, (17) “and their sins and their lawless deeds I will remember no more.” (18) Now where there is forgiveness of these things, there is no longer an offering for sin. (19) Since therefore, brethren, we have confidence to enter the Set-apart place by the blood of Yahshua, (20) by a new and living way which He inaugurated for us through the veil, that is, His flesh, (21) and since we have a great priest over the house of Elohim, (22) Let us draw near with a sincere heart in full assurance of faith, having our hearts sprinkled clean from an evil conscience and our bodies washed with pure water.’ Now, these verses in Hebrews 10, provide us with the reason or motivation for the three verses quoted at the beginning of our teaching, i.e. verses 23 – 25, as follows: ‘Let us hold fast the confession of our hope without wavering, for He who promised is faithful;(24) and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, (25)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 drawing near.’ Yes, because Messiah provided us with direct access to the holy of holies, where we are able to speak to the Father directly in Messiah’s name, we should not forsake our assembly together as the body of Messiah. Secondly, we need to remember that we as the congregation whom Elohim called out of the world to become a type of first-fruits among His creatures, will make up the body of Messiah as a group, and as such, we should become a devout community.

It is also for this reason that Rav Shaul wrote to the believers in Colossae in Colossians 2: 8 – 17 (KJV), saying: ‘Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Messiah. (9) For in him dwelleth all the fullness of the Godhead (Elohim) bodily. (10) And ye are complete in him, which is the head of all principality and power: (11) In whom also ye are circumcised with the circumcision made without hands, in putting off the body of the sins of the flesh by the circumcision of Messiah: (12)Buried with him in baptism, wherein also ye are risen with him through the faith of the operation of Elohim, who hath raised him from the dead. (13)And you, being dead in your sins and the un-circumcision of your flesh, hath he quickened together with him, having forgiven you all trespasses; (14)Blotting out the handwriting of ordinances that was against us, which was contrary to us, and took it out of the way, nailing it to his cross: (15)And having spoiled principalities and powers, he made a shew of them openly, triumphing over them in it. (16)Let no man therefore judge you in meat, or in drink, or in respect of an holyday, or of the new moon, or of the Sabbath days: (17)Which are a shadow of things to come; but the body is of Messiah.’Verse 16 is telling us clearly that we should not be concerned about the judgment of people outside the congregation, regarding what we eat and drink, or which Set-apart Days to keep, since we are part of the body of Messiah, and as our Head, and as Elohim in the flesh, Yahshua already specified when and how we should worship Him, including what food we should eat to remain Set-apart as He is Set-apart.

The problem that people have with not listening to their teachers might be that they reject all religious authority in their lives. In addition some have a mental blockage, because they believe they know it all. The problem is therefore not in listening to the teacher; but in not hearing properly. It is for this reason that Yahshua warned in Luke 8: 18, saying: “Therefore take care how you listen; for whoever has, to him shall more be given; and whoever does not have, even what he thinks he has shall be taken away from him.”Rav Shaul wrote regarding this in 2 Corinthians 3: 4 - 6, saying: ‘And such confidence we have through Messiah toward Elohim. (5) Not that we are adequate in ourselves to consider anything as coming from ourselves, but our adequacy is from Elohim, (6) who also made us adequate as servants of a new covenant, not of the letter, but of the Spirit; for the letter kills, but the Spirit gives life.’Continuing in his letter to Timothy Rav Shaul wrote in first Timothy 4: 6 – 16, saying to Timothy, but also to all teachers: ‘In pointing out these things to the brethren, you will be a good servant of Messiah Yahshua, constantly nourished on the words of the faith and of the sound doctrine which you have been following. (7) But have nothing to do with worldly fables fit only for old women. On the other hand, discipline yourself for the purpose of godliness (faith or set-apartness); (8) for bodily discipline is only of little profit, but godliness (Set-apartness or faith) is profitable for all things, since it holds promise for the present life and also for the life to come. (9) It is a trustworthy statement deserving full acceptance. (10) For it is for this we labor and strive, because we have fixed our hope on the living Elohim, who is the Savior of all men, especially of believers. (11)Prescribe and teach these things. (12)Let no one look down on your youthfulness, but rather in speech, conduct, love, faith and purity, show yourself an example of those who believe. (13)Until I come, give attention to the public reading of Scripture, to exhortation and teaching. (14)Do not neglect the spiritual gift within you, which was bestowed upon you through prophetic utterance with the laying on of hands by the presbytery. (15)Take pains with these things; be absorbed in them, so that your progress may be evident to all. (16)Pay close attention to yourself and to your teaching; persevere in these things; for as you do this you will insure salvation both for yourself and for those who hear you.’

We end with Rav Shaul’s advice to Timothy in 2 Timothy 2: 8 – 15, saying: ‘Remember Yahshua Messiah, risen from the dead, descendant of David, according to my gospel, (9) for which I suffer hardship even to imprisonment as a criminal; but the word of Elohim is not imprisoned. (10) For this reason I endure all things for the sake of those who are chosen, that they also may obtain the salvation which is in Messiah Yahshua and with it eternal glory. (11) it is a trustworthy statement: For if we died with Him, we shall also live with Him; (12) If we endure, we shall also reign with Him; if we deny Him, He also will deny us; (13) if we are faithless, He remains faithful; for He cannot deny Himself. (14) Remind them of these things, and solemnly charge them in the presence of Elohim not to wrangle about words, which is useless and leads to the ruin of the hearers. (15) Be diligent to present yourself approved to Elohim as a workman who does not need to be ashamed, handling accurately the word of truth.’

Even so, there are legitimate reasons for staying away from Sabbath services, such as personal and family sickness. Occasionally business trips and family vacations will interfere with attending services, but printed teachings may be obtained in such instances. However, we should plan and prioritize to avoid these situations on a regular basis, in order to rather attend fellowship services with the body of Messiah, ‘as you see the day drawing near’, but especially during Messiah’s annual Passover. Think about it!

[1]Deuteronomy 4: 30 & 31: “When you are in distress and all these things have come upon you, in the latter days, you will return to YHVH your Elohim and listen to His voice. For YHVH your Elohim is a compassionate Elohim; He will not fail you nor destroy you nor forget the covenant with your fathers which He swore to them.”

[2]Here we have confirmed what Yahshua told His disciples in John 6: 44, saying: “No one can come to Me, unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up on the last day.”