Since I began my blogger career, I have often returned to the subject of Israel, as well as in my writing endeavours, e.g.: Prophets of the Bible (see here) and Priests of the Bible (see here).

For example, in the year just gone, I posted the following articles:

1. My review of Israel related matters and how this relates to Bible teaching and prophecy (see here)
2. My Israel Conundrum (2) (see here)

I make no apology for doing so again. Besides my taking a personal interest in the subject, Israel is important when trying to understand what is going on in the world as well as the teachings in the Bible, including End Times prophecy. It is also a subject that sharply divides opinions, including among earnest Christians. The challenge I find is to minimise repeating myself or boring people, as well as trying not to add fuel to the fire given the strength of feelings on the subject, concerning which there is a wide range of views. Then there is so much going on that is of interest that involves Israel. As more relevant thoughts come to mind, it gives me the opportunity to write something fresh and new, and such is the case at this time.

In this latest Israel related update, I want to only briefly reflect on what is happening in Israel today but rather I wanted to focus our attentions more on the subjects of “The Synagogue of Satan” and Antisemitism, and to discuss one way that the Hegelian Dialectic playing out. But first Israel today: while at the start of a new year, attention on happenings around the world have been on countries other than Israel, e.g. Venezuela and Iran, but even here, as one digs deep, we find Israel playing a part. For example, David Icke (not a supporter of Israel, and one example of someone who has been wrongly accused of antisemitism) makes some valid, interesting points in his “They Will Never Tell You This | IRAN Protest” video (see here). As for Israel today and the part it plays in Bible prophecy, I refer to this example: “Turkey’s Worst Nightmare, Israel Forges Historic Three-Nation Alliance” video (see here). Then there are other significant happenings in the region where Israel has deep involvement, e.g. in Gaza. But now I want to turn our attentions to the use of the term: “The Synagogue of Satan”.

I have this much respected, preacher of the Gospel, decidedly pro-Israel, friend. Recently, in his video, titled: “Preparing for Persecution and Opposition: The Letter to the Church of Smyrna – Revelation 2:8-11” (see here), he made observations concerning something I have also seen increasingly in recent days – people using the term “The Synagogue of Satan” to criticise some among those who identify as Jews. With reference to the verse: “I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan” Revelation 2:9b, his comment was to the effect: “I am sick to death when hearing this verse thrown around to attack Israel and to attack Jews. These are antisemites using the verse to condemn Israel and condemn Jews, which is used out of context to attack Jews that don’t believe in Jesus”. I later listened to a video titled: “Jewish Christian Explains: What is the Synagogue of Satan? Hard Rebuke to Idiot Racists” (see here), which discussed the actions and motives of someone identifying as a Christian, who was likely influenced by other Christians (growing in number) who are hostile toward Israel, who stated that the reason behind his attack on a Jewish synagogue was because it was of Satan, and this made me think of the way that antisemitism may be the reason behind most attacks on synagogues.

But I still felt uncomfortable with my friend’s analysis, which I saw as being flawed and unbalanced (I first thought of the antisemite accusation sometimes aimed at George Soros opponents, who I identify as one of the bad guys who happen to identify as Jewish), but should add that when searching for an appropriate meme to use, and coming up with that shown above, I became conscious that several have written on the subject and I wondered if what they wrote was sound? I also think a good deal of Israel criticism to be misplaced and some of it is fueled by anti Jew hatred and the Antichrist spirit, including among some “Christian” leaders, but some of it is valid and necessary. I decided therefore to do my own investigation in order to find out about where the Synagogue of Satan fits in with the whole Israel story, but not having the time or intellectual capacity to do all my own research in order to fully answer questions like: when is opposing Jews or Israel justified?

I asked AI: “Who are the Synagogue of Satan mentioned in the Book of Revelation? Do they exist today among the Jewish bad guys?”

AI responded: “The “synagogue of Satan” is mentioned in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9, referring to those who claim to be Jews but are not, and are instead persecuting the early Christian church. The term is likely symbolic, describing those opposing God’s people, rather than a specific group.

Interpretations vary:

– Some see it as a reference to Jewish opponents of Christianity in the 1st century.

– Others understand it as a symbolic description of those who oppose God’s people, regardless of ethnicity.

The term doesn’t necessarily imply a modern-day group of “Jewish bad guys.” Instead, it’s often seen as a metaphor for spiritual opposition to God’s people.”

I also asked AI: “What is an anti-Semite? Is it antisemitic to criticise Israel?”

AI responded: “An anti-Semite is someone who discriminates against, prejudices, or holds hostile attitudes towards Jewish people, often based on stereotypes or false assumptions about Jewish identity.

Criticising Israel isn’t inherently anti-Semitic, but the context and language used matter. Criticism of Israel’s government policies or actions can be legitimate, but if it involves dehumanising or demonising Jewish people, denying Israel’s right to exist, or applying double standards, it can cross into anti-Semitism.

Some examples of anti-Semitic criticism include:

– Denying Israel’s right to exist or questioning its legitimacy

– Applying double standards to Israel that aren’t applied to other countries

– Using anti-Semitic tropes or stereotypes to criticise Israel

– Holding all Jewish people responsible for Israel’s actions

The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism provides guidance on distinguishing between legitimate criticism and anti-Semitism.

Criticising Israel isn’t inherently anti-Semitic, but the context and language used matter. Criticism of Israel’s government policies or actions can be legitimate, but if it involves dehumanising or demonising Jewish people, denying Israel’s right to exist, or applying double standards, it can cross into anti-Semitism.

Some examples of anti-Semitic criticism include:

– Denying Israel’s right to exist or questioning its legitimacy

– Applying double standards to Israel that aren’t applied to other countries

– Using anti-Semitic tropes or stereotypes to criticise Israel

– Holding all Jewish people responsible for Israel’s actions

The IHRA definition of anti-Semitism provides guidance on distinguishing between legitimate criticism and anti-Semitism.”

I can’t speak for my friend of course, noting his concerns over those who rather too freely use the term “Synagogue of Satan” to attack some among those who identify as Jews, and to oppose those he sees as antisemitic, but I would imagine he would agree with the AI response and, as for the two possible interpretations given in the first answer, he would, like me, go along with the first one (likely when Jesus used used the term “Synogogue of Satan” it applied to those who identified as Jews who contributed to the persecution of Messianic believers). To criticise any nation, including Israel, especially their leaders, for their actions, especially when they harm others, seems to me fair game but to hate the people of that country isn’t. I have little doubt that antisemitism (hating Jews because they are Jews) is on the rise, worldwide, including in subtle ways like banning supporters of an Israeli team to watch a football match in the UK. Just like my friend, I find it egregious and will do all in my power to oppose it. What I have said so far is why I found a video by another friend titled: “The Synagogue of Satan Revealed? Dr Laura Sanger weighs in” (see here), particularly pertinent, because the author asks several of the sort of questions that I believe needed to be asked but I have found in following the debates among Christians on Israel aren’t, and for challenging them in their biases.

I recently reviewed Dr Laura’s book in my blog titled: “Generation Hoodwinked plus the Nephilim Agenda and Hosts, and Israel, revisited” (see here), and for the most part found what she shared to be insightful and helpful. Moreover she, more than most Christians of the more earnest ilk, is closer than most to me concerning her views on Israel. She believes Israel to be very relevant when it comes to truly understanding events happening in today’s world; (unlike many) she doesn’t subscribe to replacement theology and, while she does not absolve Israel of wrongdoing, including some of what gets today’s pro-Palestine marchers agitated, she is also pro-Israel, especially the YHWH fearing, Torah practicing element, seeing Israel playing an important part in YHWH’s designs for the world. I listened to what she said in her thought provoking 100-minute video twice, sensing she understood better than many things going on in Israel, including her take on the “Synagogue of Satan” and true Israel, and dispelling the myth that those identifying as Palestinian have more rights to the land of Israel than Jews.

She carefully articulated her views that concerning the war in Gaza: it was not one sided and that there is an element among the Jews that also identify as Zionist that helped orchestrate it with nefarious intent and implementation and are responsible for much harm in their pursuit of their Great Israel project and world domination. She coins the phrase “Nephilim host” that conspiracy theorists like David Icke might call the “cult” or “cabal”, which among them include the Rothchild dynasty, who along with other powerful Zionist cultists played a major part in the formation of the modern state of Israel on 1948, effectively implementing the 1917 Balfour declaration, and playing a major part in Israeli affairs after then.

Many of the bad Jewish actors are Ashkenazi Jews with their own mixed (good and bad) history, with many who are not true Jews (ref. Revelation 2:9b) but rather tracing their lineage back to Esau and the Edomites rather than Jacob, to whom God’s promise was given (the Edomites opposed Israel throughout the Old Testament, ref. the Book of Obadiah). Yet she also pointed out there is a God-fearing element across all sections of modern Jewry and, even then, most of those who identify as Jews just want to live decent, in peace with neighbours, lives, and in effect are no different from most of the rest of humanity. As for antisemitism, when applying this to the hatred of Jews, this is to be deplored, and is something that has been taking place from long ago, including it being Satan inspired, hating those God loves, and should be cause for alarm, but not to apply to those legitimately criticising Israel or individuals who identify as Jews (e.g. today’s synagogue of Satan) because of their wickedness.

One of Sanger’s considerations was that of the Hegelian Dialectic, which is a subject that I too have discussed recently regarding the problem-reaction-solution paradigm in which the cult frequently eggs humanity on, e.g. concerning the Covid and Climate Change scams. The angle she picked up on was the divide and rule aspect where, on a plethora of issues, we are being persuaded we have to take sides on. Concerning this discussion, it may be to choose either Israel or Palestine, and adopt the either-or Greek mindset rather than that of holding on of two seeming opposites in tension Hebrew mindset. I speak only for myself, but as an “influencer” I don’t want to mislead any. I also don’t wish to take any side other than of God.

One final thought on “the Synagogue of Satan” verses of Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 and the words of condemnation by Jesus concerning their blasphemy (2:9) and lying (3:9), is that these were specifically about those who identified as Jews, who appeared to be at the forefront of attacking the Christians, likely Jewish converts who belonged to the churches of Sardis and Philadelphia respectively. Those using that term today to refer to those identifying as Jews who are doing bad things should do so cautiously and not to apply generally about those who do not follow Jesus as their true Messiah, while we should look forward to the time when all Israel is saved.

For the past year, I have been doing a deep dive into the subject of “Christ in the Old Testament”, and learning much, including coming to a view that just as there is a glorious future for the Church (the Bride of Christ) there is a glorious future for non-replaced Israel, who remain the apple of God’s eye, if only because He is a covenant and promise keeping God. It is not a matter of either Israel or Palestine and I reject the tendency we are seeing where Israel is condemned but not her enemies. God loves both despite sin in both camps. Despite her faults, I want to be one of those blessing Israel.