Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Behold {G2400}, I will make {G1325} them of {G1537} the synagogue {G4864} of Satan {G4567}, which {G3588} say {G3004} they {G1438} are {G1511} Jews {G2453}, and {G2532} are {G1526} not {G3756}, but {G235} do lie {G5574}; behold {G2400}, I will make {G4160} them {G846} to {G2443} come {G2240} and {G2532} worship {G4352} before {G1799} thy {G4675} feet {G4228}, and {G2532} to know {G1097} that {G3754} I {G1473} have loved {G25} thee {G4571}.
Here, I will give you some from the synagogue of the Adversary, those who call themselves Jews but aren’t — on the contrary, they are lying — see, I will cause them to come and prostrate themselves at your feet, and they will know that I have loved you.
Look at those who belong to the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews but are liars instead. I will make them come and bow down at your feet, and they will know that I love you.
Behold, I give of the synagogue of Satan, of them that say they are Jews, and they are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
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Isaiah 60:14
The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. -
Revelation 2:9
I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and [I know] the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but [are] the synagogue of Satan. -
Isaiah 49:23
And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with [their] face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I [am] the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. -
Isaiah 45:14
Thus saith the LORD, The labour of Egypt, and merchandise of Ethiopia and of the Sabeans, men of stature, shall come over unto thee, and they shall be thine: they shall come after thee; in chains they shall come over, and they shall fall down unto thee, they shall make supplication unto thee, [saying], Surely God [is] in thee; and [there is] none else, [there is] no God. -
Isaiah 43:4
Since thou wast precious in my sight, thou hast been honourable, and I have loved thee: therefore will I give men for thee, and people for thy life. -
Esther 8:17
And in every province, and in every city, whithersoever the king's commandment and his decree came, the Jews had joy and gladness, a feast and a good day. And many of the people of the land became Jews; for the fear of the Jews fell upon them. -
Acts 16:37
But Paul said unto them, They have beaten us openly uncondemned, being Romans, and have cast [us] into prison; and now do they thrust us out privily? nay verily; but let them come themselves and fetch us out.
Revelation 3:9 is a powerful declaration from Jesus Christ to the faithful church in Philadelphia, promising divine vindication against their adversaries.
Context of Revelation 3:9
This verse is part of the letter to the church in Philadelphia, one of the seven churches of Asia Minor addressed in Revelation. Unlike some other churches, Philadelphia receives almost unreserved praise for its faithfulness, perseverance, and for holding fast to Christ's name despite having little strength (Revelation 3:8). The opposition mentioned here likely came from a group of Jewish people who rejected Jesus as the Messiah and actively opposed the Christian community, perhaps even persecuting them.
Key Themes and Messages
Linguistic Insights
The term "synagogue of Satan" (Greek: synagōgē tou satana) is a strong designation, also used for the church in Smyrna (Revelation 2:9). It signifies that while these groups might have appeared religious, their opposition to Christ and His church was not merely human but influenced by demonic forces. It highlights the spiritual battle underlying human conflicts.
Practical Application
For believers today, Revelation 3:9 offers profound encouragement:
- Perseverance is Rewarded: Even when facing intense opposition or false accusations, faithfulness to Christ will ultimately be vindicated. God sees and knows the hearts of His true followers.
- God Defends His Own: We are reminded that God is our defender. He will ultimately bring justice and reveal His favor towards those who remain loyal to Him, even when they seem weak or outnumbered.
- Christ's Unwavering Love: The verse powerfully reiterates Christ's love for His church. This love is a foundational truth that empowers believers to endure hardship and trust in His ultimate plan.
This verse assures us that Christ is actively involved in the affairs of His church, protecting and affirming those who hold fast to His name.