Are You Building Your House on Sand?

And every one that heareth these sayings of mine, and doeth them not, shall be likened unto a foolish man, which built his house upon the sand: And the rain descended, and the floods came, and the winds blew, and beat upon that house; and it fell: and great was the fall of it. (Matthew 7:26-27) KJV


As we grow in our faith we need to be careful not to build upon a strong foundation rooting out any lies so as not to further build upon sand.  I see clearly that Hebrews 10:25 is another reference of the hope of the coming resurrection and rapture of the church.  It is not a command to get you and your family off to the church building and sit there for 30 minutes listening to a sermon and give some money and sing a few songs.  I am not arguing that going to church is a bad thing.

Using God's word to manipulate and build your local church is building your house upon a foundation of sand.It is clear to me that "not forsaking the assembly" in Hebrews 10:25 only means you need to go to church on Sunday IF you take this verse out of context.  This verse is used to prove we are to "go to church". If after you read my arguments and biblical support you still maintain the belief that going to church is a command from Hebrews 10:25 then please correct me and send me biblical proof. Understand that I am not encouraging anyone to stop going to church.

Why is it we witness many faithful church attenders that will argue that Hebrews 10:25 is a verse that commands believers to go to church on Sunday or whatever day it is that the local church is meeting and if you do not then you are sinning and out of fellowship with God?  I believe this is the case because most preachers and teachers have believed that is the simple interpretation of Hebrews 10:25.

If you walk into most large churches and over a two month period you will hear the first half of Hebrews 10:25 at least once.  It is also interesting for me to see that in the bible there is no other verse that confirms this teaching that we are to not forsake going to church on Sunday or whatever day the local church meets.  Don't we as born again believers long to have fellowship with other believers?  I certainly do.  But I have no desire to be manipulated and guilted into building up a man's kingdom which many of these church buildings are.


Assuming that Hebrews 10:25 is a vague command for us to not stop going to church, how often do we see a vague command only mentioned once?  I don't know of any in the New Testament.

This is the third time I am coming to you. In the mouth of two or three witnesses shall every word be established. (2 Corinthians 13:1) KJV


The Catholic church was first in popularizing this interpretation of Hebrews 10:25 in order to further control their church members bolster church attendance. Some use the bible purposefully to manipulative and control and lord over their members.

Many others honestly believe this is a command we are to keep regardless of how dead that particular local church may be. This verse is disturbing to me because I believe God was pressing me to read the bible for myself after becoming born again and coming out of the Catholic church.


Also, lies about the bible are dangerous. My desire is to point out that we need to guard against lies about God's word otherwise we find ourselves on a slippery slope.  Some time back I was troubled to hear a friend telling another friend that Hebrews 10:25 says that we are sinning if we don't go to church on Sunday.  I was a bit baffled because I just assumed he would know that is not what Hebrews 10:25 says. This brother in Christ goes to a seemingly good Baptist church.

Then I asked him later about the rapture, and he went on to tell me that the word rapture is not even in the bible.  So you see this person not only did not see that Hebrews 10:25 is a reference to the rapture, but the same church that is teaching incorrectly on this also is bringing him into the bondage of condemnation and contributing to his spiritual blindness on these things.



In the New Testament there are three primary Greek words used for "gathering" and  "assembling"

Episunagoge is a noun and is used only twice in the New Testament. Episunago is a verb and is used only six times in the New Testament.  Sunago is a verb and is used 62 times in the New Testament and is a much more general word for gathering. At the bottom I have listed all the verses where sunago is used for a reference.

If you follow the definition and usage of each of these three Greek words you should see that everywhere Episunagoge is used (only two places) this is a reference to a complete gathering to Jesus at the Resurrection and Rapture of the body of Christ.  The six times we see the use of the verb episunago it is also clear that every gathering is referring to a gathering to Jesus.  Take a look for yourself. Finally the word sunago is used 62 times in the New Testament and is a general gathering.


First word we are looking at is:

episunagoge (ep-ee-soon-ag-o-gay') n.
1. a complete gathering
2. (especially) a Christian meeting (reoccurring for worship)
*Note that Strong's even placed his bias because of this verse to deduct incorrectly that the noun epsiunagoge could mean a complete gathering and be in reference to some reoccurring meeting (such as Sunday).  But nowhere in the New Testament is this logically deducted.

(2Thess 2:1 [KJV])
Now we beseech you, brethren, by the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ, and by our gathering together unto him,

(Heb 10:25 [KJV])
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.




Hebrews 10:23
Let us hold fast the profession of our faith without wavering; (for he is faithful that promised;)

the above verse has the word greek word elpis in KJV as faith: elpis (el-pece') n.
1. expectation

So we should hold fast the acknowledgment of our expectation.

Hebrews 10:24
 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:

Hebrews 10:25
Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as the manner of some is; but exhorting one another: and so much the more, as ye see the day approaching.

First off I want to start out by saying that this is written for the Jewish believers and during this time there were other Jews among the believers that were trying to get Jewish believers in Jesus to turn away from their new faith in Jesus.  The Sadducees were among the Jews in that day and they were known to not believe in the resurrection.

For the Sadducees say that there is no resurrection, neither angel, nor spirit: but the Pharisees confess both. Acts 23:8 KJV

We see in verse 25 that the verse is encouraging them not to abandon the belief in a resurrection as some do (like the Sadducees did) and more encouragement to exhort one another as you all see the day approaching.

What day do you think is being referred to here?  Being that "the day" is in the same sentence as the noun in the beginning referring to that total and complete assembling together which is the
Resurrection and Rapture of the body of Christ (that future day).

Don't abandon the complete gathering which is our expectation at the Resurrection (as the Sadducees for example do), especially as you see THE DAY approaching.

Again, what day? The time when the Resurrection will happen.



Second word we are looking at:

 episunago (ep-ee-soon-ag'-o) v.
1. to gather altogether (upon the same place)
2. to gather completely



(Matt 23:37 [KJV])
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, thou that killest the prophets, and stonest them which are sent unto thee, how often would I have gathered thy children together, even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, and ye would not!

Note: What is happeing in the above verse?  Jesus says that he often desires to gather the children of Israel together.

(Matt 24:31 [KJV])
And he shall send his angels with a great sound of a trumpet, and they shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from one end of heaven to the other.

Note: Jesus is talking about the complete gathering of God's elect.

(Mark 1:33 [KJV])
And all the city was gathered together at the door.

Note: A complete gathering to do what: See Jesus.

(Mark 13:27 [KJV])
And then shall he send his angels, and shall gather together his elect from the four winds, from the uttermost part of the earth to the uttermost part of heaven.

Note: Jesus is talking about the complete gathering of God's elect in this parallel verse to Matthew 24.


(Luke 12:1 [KJV])
In the mean time, when there were gathered together an innumerable multitude of people, insomuch that they trode one upon another, he began to say unto his disciples first of all, Beware ye of the leaven of the Pharisees, which is

hypocrisy.

Note: The verb "gathered" here applies to a very large number of people meeting up to see Jesus.


(Luke 13:34 [KJV])
O Jerusalem, Jerusalem, which killest the prophets, and stonest them that are sent unto thee; how often would I have gathered thy children together, as a hen doth gather her brood under her wings, and ye would not!

Note: Luke 13:34 is the parallel to Matthew 23:37 - Jesus says that he often desires to gather the children of Israel together.


Third word looked at here:

Sunago

sunago (soon-ag'-o) v.
1. (properly) to lead together
2. (generally) to gather together, to congregate
3. (specially) to entertain (hospitably)


Note: sunago is used 62 times in the New Testament from Matthew through Revelation.  I have placed each verse at the bottom of this email for your reference.
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How strange is it that we are in a time when most churches in America do not touch on prophecy or question anything that benefits their enterprise they call "the church"?  We believers are living stones and we are the church.  Buildings are just buildings.

As someone believes a lie then they become spiritually blinded to some extent.  The more lies one believes the more the truth is not in them and the less their light shines.  When people acquiesce to the teachings of man over the word of God then spiritual blindness enters.  This opens a gate for false doctrine and for lies to flourish.

God is no respecter of persons so don't think that we cannot as believers become spiritually blinded by lies man teach either purposely or because they themselves have been convinced of something not by the word of God, but by man's doctrine.  Is it any wonder that many new believers that seem at first on fire for the word of God have their fire extinguished so soon and stop attending church?


Concluding thoughts:

Episunagoge (noun) is used two times in the bible and both times it refers the future event of the Resurrection and Rapture event (noun) which will be the first complete gathering of believers in the body of Christ to occur in the history of man. 

This is also the reason for the sparse usage of episunagoge. The noun form of episunagoge and the verb form episungago occur a total of 8 times and refer to a some kind of complete gathering together.  Also, seven of the eight verses it is obvious to most that there is a gathering to see Jesus or Jesus is describing a desire to gather the people together under the wing of a hen unto Him.

This is a simple, literal and least contrived of all explanations for Hebrews 10:25.  Hebrews 10:25 has too long been used to guilt people into continuing to attend dead churches.  Also, I think some good preachers also use this incorrectly.  Are you?  Please send your biblical support to me if you still disagree.


Do not read my words and take them as fact without doing your own study.  Most people are not in their bible much.  Collectively we love our tv more than our bible.  How many hours a day do most church goers watch TV and how many hours a day does the same church goer read and study their bible?


And the brethren immediately sent away Paul and Silas by night unto Berea: who coming thither went into the synagogue of the Jews.These were more noble than those in Thessalonica, in that they received the word with all readiness of mind, and searched the scriptures daily, whether those things were so. (Acts 17:10-11) KJV


Have you received the love of the truth?  Ask God when you are studying to help you and to show you the truth and trust that He will.


But the anointing which ye have received of him abideth in you, and ye need not that any man teach you: but as the same anointing teacheth you of all things, and is truth, and is no lie, and even as it hath taught you, ye shall abide in him. (1 John 2:27) KJV

Jesus can reveal the truth about scripture as we remain in His word.  It is such and encouragement to know that we are disciples of Jesus if we continue in His word.

Then said Jesus to those Jews which believed on him, If ye continue in my word, then are ye my disciples indeed;And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free. (John 8:31-32) KJV

Keep watching and praying for our Lord Jesus to bring all believers together at the approaching resurrection of believers and removal of the body of Christ from this wicked world.









*Reference for those that want to read the usage of "sunago" in the 62 verses in KJV

Reference:

Greek: sunago (soon-ag'-o) v.
1. (properly) to lead together
2. (generally) to gather together, to congregate
3. (specially) to entertain (hospitably)

(Matt 2:4 [KJV])
And when he had gathered all the chief priests and scribes of the people together, he demanded of them where Christ should be born.

(Matt 3:12 [KJV])
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and gather his wheat into the garner; but he will burn up the chaff with unquenchable fire.

(Matt 6:26 [KJV])
Behold the fowls of the air: for they sow not, neither do they reap, nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?

(Matt 12:30 [KJV])
He that is not with me is against me; and he that gathereth not with me scattereth abroad.

(Matt 13:2 [KJV])
And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.

(Matt 13:30 [KJV])
Let both grow together until the harvest: and in the time of harvest I will say to the reapers, Gather ye together first the tares, and bind them in bundles to burn them: but gather the wheat into my barn.

(Matt 13:47 [KJV])
Again, the kingdom of heaven is like unto a net, that was cast into the sea, and gathered of every kind:

(Matt 18:20 [KJV])
For where two or three are gathered together in my name, there am I in the midst of them.

(Matt 22:10 [KJV])
So those servants went out into the highways, and gathered together all as many as they found, both bad and good: and the wedding was furnished with guests.

(Matt 22:34 [KJV])
But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.

(Matt 22:41 [KJV])
While the Pharisees were gathered together, Jesus asked them,

(Matt 24:28 [KJV])
For wheresoever the carcase is, there will the eagles be gathered together.

(Matt 25:24 [KJV])
Then he which had received the one talent came and said, Lord, I knew thee that thou art an hard man, reaping where thou hast not sown, and gathering where thou hast not strawed:

(Matt 25:26 [KJV])
 His lord answered and said unto him, Thou wicked and slothful servant, thou knewest that I reap where I sowed not, and gather where I have not strawed:

(Matt 25:32 [KJV])
And before him shall be gathered all nations: and he shall separate them one from another, as a shepherd divideth his sheep from the goats:

(Matt 25:35 [KJV])
For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:

(Matt 25:38 [KJV])
 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

(Matt 25:43 [KJV])
I was a stranger, and ye took me not in: naked, and ye clothed me not: sick, and in prison, and ye visited me not.

(Matt 26:3 [KJV])
Then assembled together the chief priests, and the scribes, and the elders of the people, unto the palace of the high priest, who was called Caiaphas,

(Matt 26:57 [KJV])
And they that had laid hold on Jesus led him away to Caiaphas the high priest, where the scribes and the elders were assembled.

(Matt 27:17 [KJV])
Therefore when they were gathered together, Pilate said unto them, Whom will ye that I release unto you? Barabbas, or Jesus which is called Christ?

(Matt 27:27 [KJV])
Then the soldiers of the governor took Jesus into the common hall, and gathered unto him the whole band of soldiers.

(Matt 27:62 [KJV])
Now the next day, that followed the day of the preparation, the chief priests and Pharisees came together unto Pilate,

(Matt 28:12 [KJV])
And when they were assembled with the elders, and had taken counsel, they gave large money unto the soldiers,

(Mark 2:2 [KJV])
And straightway many were gathered together, insomuch that there was no room to receive them, no, not so much as about the door: and he preached the word unto them.

(Mark 4:1 [KJV])
And he began again to teach by the sea side: and there was gathered unto him a great multitude, so that he entered into a ship, and sat in the sea; and the whole multitude was by the sea on the land.

(Mark 5:21 [KJV])
And when Jesus was passed over again by ship unto the other side, much people gathered unto him: and he was nigh unto the sea.

(Mark 6:30 [KJV])
And the apostles gathered themselves together unto Jesus, and told him all things, both what they had done, and what they had taught.

(Mark 7:1 [KJV])
Then came together unto him the Pharisees, and certain of the scribes, which came from Jerusalem.

(Luke 3:17 [KJV])
Whose fan is in his hand, and he will throughly purge his floor, and will gather the wheat into his garner; but the chaff he will burn with fire unquenchable.

(Luke 11:23 [KJV])
He that is not with me is against me: and he that gathereth not with me scattereth.

(Luke 12:17 [KJV])
And he thought within himself, saying, What shall I do, because I have no room where to bestow my fruits?

(Luke 12:18 [KJV])
And he said, This will I do: I will pull down my barns, and build greater; and there will I bestow all my fruits and my goods.

(Luke 15:13 [KJV])
And not many days after the younger son gathered all together, and took his journey into a far country, and there wasted his substance with riotous living.

(Luke 17:37 [KJV])
And they answered and said unto him, Where, Lord? And he said unto them, Wheresoever the body is, thither will the eagles be gathered together.

(Luke 22:66 [KJV])
And as soon as it was day, the elders of the people and the chief priests and the scribes came together, and led him into their council, saying,

(John 4:36 [KJV])
And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together.

(John 6:12 [KJV])
When they were filled, he said unto his disciples, Gather up the fragments that remain, that nothing be lost.

(John 6:13 [KJV])
Therefore they gathered them together, and filled twelve baskets with the fragments of the five barley loaves, which remained over and above unto them that had eaten.

(John 11:47 [KJV])
Then gathered the chief priests and the Pharisees a council, and said, What do we? for this man doeth many miracles.

(John 11:52 [KJV])
And not for that nation only, but that also he should gather together in one the children of God that were scattered abroad.

(John 15:6 [KJV])
If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.

(John 18:2 [KJV])
And Judas also, which betrayed him, knew the place: for Jesus ofttimes resorted thither with his disciples.

(John 20:19 [KJV])
Then the same day at evening, being the first day of the week, when the doors were shut where the disciples were assembled for fear of the Jews, came Jesus and stood in the midst, and saith unto them, Peace be unto you.

(Acts 4:6 [KJV])
And Annas the high priest, and Caiaphas, and John, and Alexander, and as many as were of the kindred of the high priest, were gathered together at Jerusalem.

(Acts 4:26 [KJV])
The kings of the earth stood up, and the rulers were gathered together against the Lord, and against his Christ.

(Acts 4:27 [KJV])
For of a truth against thy holy child Jesus, whom thou hast anointed, both Herod, and Pontius Pilate, with the Gentiles, and the people of Israel, were gathered together,

(Acts 4:31 [KJV])
And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.

(Acts 11:26 [KJV])
And when he had found him, he brought him unto Antioch. And it came to pass, that a whole year they assembled themselves with the church, and taught much people. And the disciples were called Christians first in Antioch.

(Acts 13:44 [KJV])
And the next sabbath day came almost the whole city together to hear the word of God.

(Acts 14:27 [KJV])
And when they were come, and had gathered the church together, they rehearsed all that God had done with them, and how he had opened the door of faith unto the Gentiles.

(Acts 15:6 [KJV])
And the apostles and elders came together for to consider of this matter.

(Acts 15:30 [KJV])
So when they were dismissed, they came to Antioch: and when they had gathered the multitude together, they delivered the epistle:

(Acts 20:7 [KJV])
And upon the first day of the week, when the disciples came together to break bread, Paul preached unto them, ready to depart on the morrow; and continued his speech until midnight.

(Acts 20:8 [KJV])
And there were many lights in the upper chamber, where they were gathered together.

(1Cor 5:4 [KJV])
In the name of our Lord Jesus Christ, when ye are gathered together, and my spirit, with the power of our Lord Jesus Christ,

(Rev 13:10 [KJV])
He that leadeth into captivity shall go into captivity: he that killeth with the sword must be killed with the sword. Here is the patience and the faith of the saints.

(Rev 16:14 [KJV])
For they are the spirits of devils, working miracles, which go forth unto the kings of the earth and of the whole world, to gather them to the battle of that great day of God Almighty.

(Rev 16:16 [KJV])
And he gathered them together into a place called in the Hebrew tongue Armageddon.

(Rev 19:17 [KJV])
And I saw an angel standing in the sun; and he cried with a loud voice, saying to all the fowls that fly in the midst of heaven, Come and gather yourselves together unto the supper of the great God;

(Rev 19:19 [KJV])
And I saw the beast, and the kings of the earth, and their armies, gathered together to make war against him that sat on the horse, and against his army.

(Rev 20:8 [KJV])
And shall go out to deceive the nations which are in the four quarters of the earth, Gog and Magog, to gather them together to battle: the number of whom is as the sand of the sea.

end.