Hebrews 10:24, 25
NKJV – [24] And let us consider one another in order to stir up love and good works, [25] not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.
Of course we know that when we come to worship, it is to worship the Lord. From these verses though, it can also be seen that we come together to:
1. To stir up love and good works
2. To exhort one another – if necessary
The main reason for me making this post though, is because I would like to ask a question. At the end of verse 25 we read, “and so much the more as you see the Day approaching.”
My question is: Is “Day” as referred to here speaking of the Lord’s Day when we all come to worship, Judgment Day, or both?
Ron 11:29 am on July 11, 2011 Permalink |
Contextually, Richard, it is unspecified. The word “day” is in the upper case (NKJV), suggesting the judgment day of Matthew 25. Perhaps this is correct, but it is interpretive. It could very well be the case that the “day” is referring to the destruction of Jerusalem.
Stephen R. Bradd 11:57 am on July 11, 2011 Permalink |
Could be any of the 3 options that have been mentioned:
(1) Lord’s Day each Sunday
(2) Jerusalem’s destruction
(3) Judgment Day
I lean toward option #2 most heavily. We can’t “see” Judgment Day approaching (other than the fact that it’s one day closer each morning when we wake up), but they could see Jerusalem’s destruction approaching (cf. Matt. 24).
J. Randal Matheny 4:04 pm on July 11, 2011 Permalink |
Without a modifier, wouldn’t day refer most likely to Judgment Day?
Ron 4:37 am on July 12, 2011 Permalink |
That there is a judgment day in view, Randal, seems to me to be the case based on verse 26-27. I am inclined, however, to regard it as Jerusalem’s judgment day.
Stephen R. Bradd 9:17 am on July 12, 2011 Permalink |
Randal, if final judgment is in view, how do you explain the notion of Christians SEEING that day approach? As I stated, we all know it is 1 day closer today, but practically speaking, it’s been nearly 2000 years and we don’t have any idea whether it will be this afternoon or another 2000 years (or longer!). In other words, we’re clueless as to when, so how can we “see” the day approach and consequently increase our level of encouragement to brethren? This is a difficult point for me to overcome regarding the “Judgment Day” view on 10:25. It isn’t troubling to the other 2 possibilities.
J. Randal Matheny 12:16 pm on July 12, 2011 Permalink
Hmm, seems that in either case the seeing is metaphorical. The final day was near for the Christians, as it is for us, in the sense of its immanence. So I don’t see that as a problem.