Heb 10:24 And let us consider one another to provoke unto love and to good works:
Heb 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.
The book of Hebrews is conventionally thought to be written about 50 years after the initial outpouring of the Holy Ghost. By this time, the Gentiles were fully engaged in the operations of the church; the apostles having spread the Word in distant regions. The expansion of the Gospel found a sure footing in Antioch though there were other strong church centers beyond.
However, it only took a few decades to see the fracturing of faithful devotion. A myriad of issues arose which lessened the passion once found in the early days of Acts 2. The pressing of the Roman Empire combined with governmental changes and a struggling world economic environment contributed to the loss of focus. By the time the book of Hebrews was written, the church had already seen a devaluation of the basics. Hebrews 6 dealt with these elements of stagnation among the saints, thus, Heb 6:1 Therefore leaving the principles of the doctrine of Christ, let us go on unto perfection; not laying again the foundation of repentance from dead works, and of faith toward God.
Perhaps the most troubling matter comes in chapter 10 where the writer is now urging the saints to join together in worship. They were forsaking the basics of faithful attendance. Fifty years later and the parable of Jesus (Luke 14:16-20) has come to pass. The master gave an invitation, but everyone had a reason for their absence. The last line of their excuses simply says, Luke 14:20 “…and therefore I cannot come.”
There will always be a reason not to attend the worship service. Perhaps we too are overloaded with the cares of this life. While the gathering of the saints is a biblical command, it is incumbent upon us to set our priorities in order. It might mean that we take great consideration with our time. The day of the Lord is pressing and we must come together more and more.
We must go back to the time when we first began. Heb 2:3 How shall we escape, if we neglect so great salvation; which at the first began to be spoken by the Lord, and was confirmed unto us by them that heard him.