Little doubt, the writer of Hebrews, whoever he may be, God knows, is a second generation disciple. The basis for this view is found in Hebrews 2:3 where the writer speak in third person about those who heard him (Jesus). Perhaps it was Barnabas or Apollos, but certainly not Paul. This would push the date of the book later, at least to the mid-sixties.
Much is made in this letter of the continuing sacrifices offered by the the priestly line of Aaron. These formal sacrifices ended in A.D. 70 with the destruction of the temple. It is hard to think the book would be written in this way if these sacrifices had ended, so sometime before the destruction makes sense.
This gives us a date for the book in the fairly narrow range of mid to late sixties. What we see is the date is dependent on the authorship and one of the potential explanations of “the day” in Hebrews 10:25 is dependent on the date. If we could determine the date of the book was after A.D. 70, the siege of Jerusalem by Titus could no longer be considered one of the possibilities for “the day.”
The date does not rule out the razing of Jerusalem by the Romans as a potential explanation for “the day.” I do believe, however, the context goes a long way toward that end.
The context of Hebrews 10:25 in the verses following suggests a wider audience than just the folks at Jerusalem. He indicates a judgment, punishment, and vengeance broader and greater than that of the destruction of Jerusalem in A.D. 70. The writer condemns everyone who doesn’t act on the truth and profanes the blood of the covenant. The sweeping indictments made from verses 26 to 31 are more fitting for an end time scenario than A.D. 70.
When we view “the day” in verse 25 as a reference to final judgment it makes a good segue into the broad condemnation that follows. It serves to enhance the warning not to skip out on Sunday services. Why should we attend? Well it’s not about brownie points with God though too many Christians treat it that way. In doing so they miss the main thrust of the warning. Hear what the writer is emphasizing. Without the regular, positive influence of fellow Christians we become increasingly vulnerable to sin and the possibility of falling away which will lead to condemnation in final judgment.
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Good points, Richard. I believe the Bible teaches there is more to judgment than just the end of the world. God’s judgment of Israel was in the wilderness. God also pronounced judgment of the Israel of the divided kingdom in Assyrian captivity and of Judah in Babylonian captivity. If I die before the Lord returns, the record of my life will be closed and my judgment will be apparent, just as it was for the rich man and Lazarus.