(ROS777;5271)
Do we have any specfics to watch out for identifing the Synagogue of Satan?Rev 3:9 "....who say they are Jews and are not, but lie--indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet and to know that I have loved you."This is to the church of Philadelphia and Smyrna Rev 2:9
Those who said they were Jews, but were not, must have been Jews who claimed to be Christians, but who persecuted the true churches. There are those who say that these people were Jews by religion, but this seems very unlikely, as true Judaism was by then Christianity (Jn 1:47, Phil 3:3). The likelihood is that they were Jews such as opposed the apostles in Jerusalem (Acts 15:1,5), who proposed such Jewish habits as circumcision and keeping of sabbaths and other special occasions. They were here being treated by God as pagans, because it was pagans who, in the OT, were prophesied as bowing to the true worshippers. For example:'Your gates will always stand open, they will never be shut, day or night, so that men may bring you the wealth of the nations — their kings led in triumphal procession. For the nation or kingdom that will not serve you will perish; it will be utterly ruined.' Isa 60:11-12 NIVMoreover, these Jews will know that it is those they persecuted who were chosen and loved by God, not themselves, because in Malachi they read:'"I have loved you," says the Lord. "But you ask, 'How have you loved us?'"' Mal 1:2 NIVHow is this relevant today? There have been, and remain, many who call themselves Christian who are legalists, who say, 'You must do this, you must do that, to be saved'. The Christian knows that he or she is justified with the perfect righteousness of Christ through faith, righteousness that needs no 'topping up' through deeds done for that purpose.