JOSEPH W. TKACH
PASTOR GENERAL

May 1987

Dear Friend:

You asked about the meaning of the "synagogue of Satan" mentioned in Revelation 2:9 and 3:9.

The word SYNAGOGUE comes from the Greek word meaning "assembly" or "church." The "synagogue of Satan," then, is an ASSEMBLY or CHURCH made up of the individuals who "say they are Jews, and are not." The term "Jew" is used here in a SPIRITUAL sense.

"He is a Jew which is one INWARDLY; and circumcision is that of the HEART, in the SPIRIT, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of God" (Rom. 2:29). In this case, it is not one's physical race that counts, but his spiritual condition (Gal. 3:27-29). True Christians are SPIRITUAL Jews because Jesus said: "Salvation is of the Jews" (John 4:22).

Those in the "synagogue of Satan" say they are spiritual Jews -- pretend to be real Christians -- but are not. This false church was already developing in the days of the apostle John. It masqueraded as God's true Church. It had congregations in the cities of Smyrna and Philadelphia in Asia Minor even at that early time. It and its daughter churches are further described in Revelation 17. For additional information, send for our free literature about the true Church.

Thank you for your interest. If you have additional questions, feel free to send them to us.

PERSONAL CORRESPONDENCE DEPARTMENT