“Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan, who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet, and to know that I have loved you.”
Indeed I will make those of the synagogue of Satan
The enemies of the church at Philadelphia are those of the “synagogue of Satan.” Evidently, they were Jews or at least the legalists who dogged those who preached grace in the first century. Religion is always an archenemy of the truth.
Synagogues were not for pagans; they were for lost religious Jews.
who say they are Jews and are not, but lie—
These Jews were physical descendants of Abraham but not his spiritual descendants. They never knew his faith. It is a lie to claim that a person can know God without personal faith in Jesus.
indeed I will make them come and worship before your feet
The word “worship” means to make obeisance, do reverence to. “Worship” comes from two words: towards and to kiss. The idea is to give respect by prostrating oneself before a person and kissing his feet. People can give respect by attitude and activity of respect and may imply supplication. One day the enemies of the church will acknowledge with the respect that the church was right. These religionists will admit that they were wrong. They will see how God opens and shuts doors through the church.
and to know that I have loved you
The enemies of the church at Philadelphia will know that God intervened by His love for the church.
PRINCIPLE:
Religion is Satan’s ace playing card.
APPLICATION:
Some folks are so naïve that they believe anything that comes from religion. Little do they realize that most religion is from Satan. Satan has churches as well as Jesus Christ.
2 Co 11:13-15, “For such are false apostles, deceitful workers, transforming themselves into apostles of Christ. 14 And no wonder! For Satan himself transforms himself into an angel of light. 15 Therefore it is no great thing if his ministers also transform themselves into ministers of righteousness, whose end will be according to their works.”
