The Synagogue of Satan

"Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie- indeed I will make them come and worship (God) before your feet, and to know that I have loved you."   (Rv. 3:9)

Jesus said that to the angel of the church of Philadelphia after saying to those in V.8, "I know your works. See, I have set before you an open door, and no one can shut it: for you have a little strength, HAVE KEPT MY WORD, AND HAVE NOT DENIED MY NAME."

So. Just who is it that inhabits the synagogue of Satan? Each of us says, I know! :) But, let us defer to Jesus Christ, the King of Righteousness.

"From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. THEN PETER TOOK HIM ASIDE AND BEGAN TO REBUKE HIM, SAYING, 'FAR BE IT FROM YOU, LORD; THIS SHALL NOT HAPPEN TO YOU!' But He turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, FOR YOU ARE NOT MINDFUL OF THE THINGS OF GOD, BUT THE THINGS OF MEN.' "(Matthew 16:21-23)

Peter, at that moment was an agent of Satan: his mind was full of what he thought was best, not the things of God. Nevertheless, Satan's assignment was against Head. If the Head stumbled at this temptation, the body (what we are, if we are) would be doomed. As for our calling, as the body of Christ: if your head, attached to your body goes somewhere, does your body stay behind or do something different? Not if you are alive! Dismemberment of head from body means death.

Therefore, a synagogue of Satan gathers "in His name" yet is inclined, as Peter in that time of immaturity, to dismiss/reject the calling of the Lord based upon what seems best to them. Convincingly,the apostle John understood and was willing prior to, he being stationed AT THE CROSS while his Savior, and Lord, was finishing His Father's command.

"Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and FOLLOW ME. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and then He will reward each according to his works."(Matthew 16:24-27)

Peter's "exchange" would have kept Jesus Christ off the cross. A Satanic synagogue would "work" to keep us from following Him as His body.