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False Claims

Words of Faith Final

 

False Claims

 

Words of Faith 12-8-2020

 

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy © 2020

 

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

 

Faith Fellowship Church - Melbourne, FL

 

www.faithfellowshipweb.com

 

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Revelation 3

 

[9]  I will make those who are of the synagogue of Satan, who claim to be Jews though they are not, but are liars--I will make them come and fall down at your feet and acknowledge that I have loved you.

 

 

 

       The most serious struggle for believers in Philadelphia came in the form of rejection within the Jewish community. The very people that should have been most receptive to the Gospel of the Messiah of God had rejected this movement of believers. We find this a couple of times in Revelation.

 

      The phrase “Synagogues of Satan” is a harsh one. We want to be careful not to misunderstand or misapply it. The “Synagogue of Satan” is not an organization of some sort. Nor was this a denouncement of Judaism in general. This harsh description was reserved for Jews who did not walk in the ways of Judaism and had turned against Christ's followers.

 

       The Lord was specific in stating that these were making a false claim of Jewishness. They are liars. Central to these statements is realizing that being Jewish is much more than a blood lineage or cultural heritage.

 

        Historically and in practice, if your mother was Jewish, then you were Jewish. But Jesus is saying that to be Jewish is much more. Being Jewish is a way of living life according to the Word with a posture that is always looking for Messiah's coming.

 

       Apparently, this Jewish element had vehemently denied Jesus as the Messiah.  And beyond this, they had not lived according to the Torah. They had actively persecuted others who claimed Jesus as Messiah. A true Jew, in the view of Jews like John and Paul, is one who has found forgiveness and life in Jesus the Messiah, while a false Jew is one who rejects those who believe in Jesus and openly persecutes them (1 John 2:22).

 

      The Lord declared that a time is coming when all will be made right.  Those who have opposed you will bow down before your feet and learn about the love of Jesus. We cannot help but think of Philippians 2:10-11 which declares-- that at the name of Jesus, every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth, and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.

 

       The point of this is not that Jews will one day worship Christians. Rather, there will be a humbling of those who reject Jesus as the Christ. They will learn that God in Christ, the Messiah of God, has loved the Jews and Gentiles.

 

      What we clearly want to avoid is the misuse of a phrase like “Synagogue of Satan.” This term has been used to fan hatred and antisemitism through the ages. This would be the furthest thing from the desire of Christ.

 

       Have you felt opposition by those who reject Jesus? You are not alone. And Jesus will see you through to the day when all will be made right.

 

 

 

        Father God, give me patience in those situations of rejection. Give me hope in the times that I am tempted to despair. Show me the path to the place and time when all will be made right. In Jesus’ Name.

 

 

 

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© Jeffrey D. Hoy 2020

 

Dr. Jeffrey D. Hoy - Faith Fellowship Church (EFCA)       

 

2820 Business Center Blvd.

 

Melbourne, Florida 32940 (321)-259-7200

 

Jeff.Hoy@faithfellowshipweb.com

 

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The Words of Faith devotion is published five days a week by E-mail, excluding Federal holidays. Please feel free to forward this devotion to a friend who might be blessed by this devotion. Unless otherwise noted, all Scripture is quoted from the New International Version (R) of The Holy Bible. Copyright (c) 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by permission of Zondervan Publishing House. All rights reserved. Words of Faith (c) 1997, 2010 Jeffrey D. Hoy. All rights reserved. Permission is granted to forward this copyrighted material or use portions of it with appropriate notation of the source for non-profit purposes.