What is the meaning of “the synagogue of Satan,” mentioned in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9?

The word “synagogue” is based on the Greek word sunagoge (assembly or church). The “synagogue of Satan” is an assembly or church comprised of people who “say they are Jews, and are not.” In this context, the usage of the term “Jews” is in a spiritual connotation. As the apostle Paul stated, in Romans 2:29, “…he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter…”

Therefore, it is not our racial heritage that matters, but rather our spiritual standing, as Galatians 3:27-29 shows: “For as many of you as have been baptized into Christ have put on Christ. There is neither Jew nor Greek, there is neither bond nor free, there is neither male nor female: for you are all one in Christ Jesus. And if you be Christ’s, then are you Abraham’s seed, and heirs according to the promise.” Upon conversion, true Christians become spiritual Jews. In John 4:22, Christ stated, “Salvation is of the Jews.”

Those who are part of the “synagogue of Satan” claim to be spiritual Jews. In other words, they pose as true Christians. The development of this false church was already well underway in the Apostle John’s time. Passing itself off as God’s true Church, it had congregations in the Asia Minor cities of Smyrna and Philadelphia, even then. Revelation 17 further describes it and the churches that spawned from it. To learn more, you may wish to request our free book Where Is the True Church? – and Its Incredible History!.