Revelation 3:9; Synagogue of Satan

Revelation 3:9 Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

This phrase, “the synagogue of Satan,” (v9) may be an indication of a significant threat to them from apostate Judaism, as in Smyrna (2:9).

Indeed, while the door of the synagogue may be closed to the Christians, the door to the church will soon be opened by the Jews in a surprising turnabout. Isaiah prophesied that the Gentiles would worship at the feet of Israel.

Isaiah 49:23 And kings shall be thy nursing fathers, and their queens thy nursing mothers: they shall bow down to thee with their face toward the earth, and lick up the dust of thy feet; and thou shalt know that I am the LORD: for they shall not be ashamed that wait for me. 

Isaiah 60:14 The sons also of them that afflicted thee shall come bending unto thee; and all they that despised thee shall bow themselves down at the soles of thy feet; and they shall call thee, The city of the LORD, The Zion of the Holy One of Israel. 

In an ironic twist, the unbelieving Jews will worship at the feet of the true Israel.

Galatians 6:16 And as many as walk according to this rule, peace beon them, and mercy, and upon the Israel of God. 

This dramatic acknowledgment that God’s covenant love now rests on Jewish and Gentile believers in Jesus’ sign to the Philadelphians that he holds the key. [Zondervan Illustrated Bible Backgrounds Commentary, NewTestament – Hebrews to Revelation]