Replacement Theology Examined: Origins of the Synagogue of Satan

Session 01 of Replacement Theology. We examine church history through 3 John and Revelation, Ch. 2 & 3. We see, in our opinion, the origin of Replacement Theology in the “Synagogue of Satan,” as mentioned in Revelation.

When the Church begins to echo the world, like the UN and others, we must exercise discernment. I have always said that antisemitism is a Satanic structure. Just the introduction session. Today, the likes of many media darlings are echoing antisemitic statements, like Tucker Carlson.

In historical context, the Church was originally mostly Jewish, and as the Gospel spread throughout Asia Minor and Europe, the Gentile Church began growing. The Apostle Paul was sent to the Gentiles. (Romans 11:13, Acts 9:15), but in short, it is the communities who say they are Jews and are not. Jesus says this to these two Churches (Smyrna and Philadelphia).

1 Peter 3:16
Having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good behavior in Christ may be put to shame.

Proverbs 10:18
The one who conceals hatred has lying lips, and whoever utters slander is a fool.

2 Timothy 3:1-5
But understand this, that in the last days there will come times of difficulty. For people will be lovers of self, lovers of money, proud, arrogant, abusive, disobedient to their parents, ungrateful, unholy, heartless, unappeasable, slanderous, without self-control, brutal, not loving good, treacherous, reckless, swollen with conceit, lovers of pleasure rather than lovers of God, having the appearance of godliness, but denying its power. Avoid such people.

Gentiles boasting against the Root is dangerous, and in the context of (Romans 11:17-33), the Apostle Paul gives a stern divine warning to the Gentiles of thinking proudly that they have replaced “the promises, the adoption, and the glory, and the covenants, and the giving of the law, and the service of God, and the promises”. (Romans 9: 1-8) This is the context of this study.

Also, it reminds me of the sharp conflict and oppression of the Jews in Jerusalem who did not receive the truth of Jesus as the Messiah. The problem is Pride, the one thing that both Jews and Gentiles must avoid. What is that? “[John 8:37] “I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you.“ It rejects God’s Word. Satan is the master counterfeiter, a professor backward, and is antithetical to faith. “Has God said still echoing millennia later.

[John 8:37, 42-45] 37 I know that ye are Abraham’s seed; but ye seek to kill me, because my word hath no place in you. … 42 Jesus said unto them, If God were your Father, ye would love me: for I proceeded forth and came from God; neither came I of myself, but he sent me. 43 Why do ye not understand my speech? [even] because ye cannot hear my word. 44 Ye are of [your] father the devil, and the lusts of your father ye will do. He was a murderer from the beginning, and abode not in the truth, because there is no truth in him. When he speaketh a lie, he speaketh of his own: for he is a liar, and the father of it. 45 And because I tell [you] the truth, ye believe me not.

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Origin of Replacement Theology as the “Synagogue of Satan”

The synagogue of Satan appears twice in Revelation: once in Jesus’ letter to the first-century church in Smyrna and once to the church in Philadelphia. In both cases, the synagogue of Satan is opposed to the mission and message of the church, and we see below “Slander” Satan’s signature, and Claims to be Jews (more than likely a Tradition kept since the Babylonian captivity). Read (Mark 7:1-23)

To the church in Smyrna, Jesus says, “I know your afflictions and your poverty—yet you are rich! I know about the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan” (Revelation 2:9).

To the church of Philadelphia in Asia Minor, Jesus says, “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” (Revelation 3:9).

History of Abram/Abraham “The Hebrew”, “Israel”, and the “Jew”

But their story does not stop there. As you continue through the Old Testament, a major shift takes place. After the reign of Solomon, the kingdom tragically divides. The northern kingdom keeps the name Israel, while the southern kingdom becomes known as Judah. Over time, the northern kingdom is perpetually led by evil leaders and is conquered by Assyria and scattered among the nations. Not long after, the southern kingdom of Judah is taken into Babylonian captivity, which is the narrative that most of the rest of Old Testament history follows. It is in this context (Babylonian destruction, exile, and survival) that another term rises to prominence for the people of God from Judah: Jews.

Originally, the term “Jew” referred specifically to those from the tribe or region of Judah. But after the exile, the northern tribes largely disappeared or were scattered, and the people who returned and preserved the covenant identity were primarily connected to Judah. Because of that, the term “Jew” became the main way of identifying the people as a whole. By the time you reach the New Testament, this is the word that is most commonly used.

So when you read the Bible and see the terms Hebrew, Israelite, and Jew, you are not looking at three different peoples. You are looking at one people at different stages of their history. “Hebrew” (Genesis 14:13) emphasizes their origin and the calling of Abraham. “Israelite” emphasizes their identity as a nation formed through Jacob (Genesis 32:28). And “Jew” reflects their later history, especially after the exile, as the people who preserved their identity and returned to the land. -Topical Studies