Synagogue of Satan

[tonychanyt]

Rev 2:

8 “And to the angel of the church in Smyrna write: ‘The words of the first and the last, who died and came to life.
9 “‘I know your tribulation and your poverty (but you are rich) and the slander of those who say that they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

There was local conflict. The local Jewish synagogue was persecuting the church in Smyrna. These Jews worked for Satan.

10 Do not fear what you are about to suffer. Behold, the devil is about to throw some of you into prison, that you may be tested, and for ten days you will have tribulation. Be faithful unto death, and I will give you the crown of life.

Barnes explained:

But are the synagogue of Satan - Deserve rather to be called the synagogue of Satan. The synagogue was a Jewish place of worship (compare the notes on Matthew 4:23), but the word originally denoted "the assembly" or "the congregation." The meaning here is plain, that though they worshipped in a synagogue, and professed to be the worshippers of God, yet they were not worthy of the name, and deserved rather to be regarded as in the service of Satan.

Similarly, Matthew Poole:

But are the synagogue of Satan; but are indeed a collection of devils, or the children of the devil, whose works they do, continually reviling true Christians, and murdering the saints, after the manner of their father, who was a murderer from the beginning.

They were biological descendants of Abraham. They claimed to be Jews genetically, but they were not true Jews in the sense of faithful and spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Barnes added a bit of history:

It may throw some light on the passage, however, to remark that at a somewhat later period - in the time of the martyrdom of Polycarp - the Jews of Smyrna were among the most bitter of the enemies of Christians, and among the most violent in demanding the death of Polycarp. Eusebius (Eccl. Hist. 4:15) says,. that when Polycarp was apprehended, and brought before the proconsul at Smyrna, the Jews were the most furious of all in demanding his condemnation. When the mob, after his condemnation to death, set about gathering fuel to burn him, "the Jews," says he, "being especially zealous, as was their custom ran to procure fuel."

Having read this, I would not overgeneralize the concept. Jesus did not mean that all synagogues were synagogues of Satan. The synagogue in Smyrna was labeled as such because of their brutal persecution of the nascent Christian church in their city. Today, the table has turned. It is the Christians who have the upper hand.

 

[Grip Docility]

Rev 2:


There was local conflict. The local Jewish synagogue was persecuting the church in Smyrna. These Jews worked for Satan.


Barnes explained:


Similarly, Matthew Poole:


They were biological descendants of Abraham. They claimed to be Jews genetically, but they were not true Jews in the sense of faithful and spiritual descendants of Abraham.

Barnes added a bit of history:


Having read this, I would not overgeneralize the concept. Jesus did not mean that all synagogues were synagogues of Satan. The synagogue in Smyrna was labeled as such because of their brutal persecution of the nascent Christian church in their city. Today, the table has turned. It is the Christians who have the upper hand.

Just for the sake of interest… this is the exact geographic locations of where these churches used to be… today…

Izmir, Turkey

Ancient Smyrna is located in modern-day Izmir, Turkey. A Roman city, idol worship, pagan temples, a temple to Roman emperor, emperor worship. Only emperor worship was allowed; all other religions were banned.

Within Turkey, the city's name is synonymous with the dried Sultanaraisins, although cultivation for the fresh fruit market, less labour-intensive than the dried fruit, has gained prominence in recent decades. As Philadelphia, Alaşehir was a highly important center in the Early Christian and Byzantine periods.