WHO IS THE SYNAGOGUE OF ‘SATAN’?

The term “Satan” in modern English conjures up images of a horned devil with a red tail—an embodiment of pure evil. However, this is a far cry from the original Hebrew term “ha-satan,” which simply means “the adversary.” In ancient Jewish thought, it was not always used as a proper name but could refer to any opposing force, even a human adversary. This difference in nuance is crucial when interpreting the phrase “synagogue of Satan” in the Book of Revelation. This phrase was never meant to label all Jews, but rather referred to a specific group of Jewish individuals who were actively opposing the early Jewish and Gentile followers of Yeshua (Jesus) while still claiming to represent God.

These individuals were not hated for their ethnicity, but because they were adversaries of the gospel message. As Paul wrote in Romans 11:28:

“As regards the gospel, they are enemies for your sake.
But as regards election, they are beloved for the sake of their forefathers.”

Here, Paul draws a vital distinction: yes, they were acting as enemies of the gospel, but they remained beloved by God because of the enduring covenant made with the patriarchs —Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. To ignore the second half of this verse is to miss the very heart of God’s covenantal faithfulness.

Tragically, verses like “synagogue of Satan” have been weaponized throughout history by those seeking to justify anti-Jewish hatred. Hitler twisted this very phrase to fuel the Holocaust, and others with similar agendas have followed suit. This is not only a horrific misuse of Scripture—it is a gross theological error. The apostle John, a Jew himself, was addressing a specific conflict in his time. He was not making a blanket statement against all Jews. In fact, the entire New Testament was written almost entirely by Jewish believers who never denied their identity or heritage.

Furthermore, if we were to interpret “synagogue of Satan” as justification to oppose all Jews who reject Christ, consistency would require that we oppose every unbeliever with the same severity. But that clearly contradicts the very heart of the gospel. Yeshua commanded us to “love your enemies,” “bless those who curse you,” and “pray for those who persecute you” (Matthew 5:44). We are not called to wage war on the spiritually blind, but to be a light that leads them to truth.

It’s also critical to understand that, while all unbelievers are separated from God without the Messiah, the Jewish people occupy a unique position in Scripture. They are the recipients of an unconditional covenant—a covenant that is not dependent on their behavior but on God’s faithfulness to the patriarchs. Paul says in Romans 11:29:

“For the gifts and the calling of God are irrevocable.”

So while salvation is only through the blood of the Lamb, the Jewish people are not just “another group of unbelievers.” They are still “the apple of His eye” (Zechariah 2:8). God’s promise to Abraham still stands:

“I will bless those who bless you, and curse those who curse you.” (Genesis 12:3)

To curse what God calls blessed is to place oneself in opposition to God.

This doesn’t mean we blindly support every decision made by the modern state of Israel. Governments, like individuals, are fallible. But it does mean that we must be extremely cautious in how we speak about and treat the Jewish people and the land of Israel. If God’s covenant with Israel remains, then our posture should reflect that reality.

Supporting Israel isn’t about politics. It’s about standing with God’s eternal promises. The Messiah is coming back to Jerusalem—not New York, Rome, or Mecca. The restoration of Israel is not man’s idea—it is God’s prophecy in motion.

To oppose the Jewish people, or to diminish their place in God’s plan, is to misunderstand both the gospel and the nature of God’s everlasting covenant. As followers of Christ, we must love what He loves. And while God hates sin, He deeply loves His covenant people. Therefore, we are called not only to preach truth but to do so with compassion, humility, and honor toward those whom God has chosen.

Watch “Did Biblical War III Just Start” here: https://youtu.be/devjedq3IQE