Synagogue of Satan

The person who gave you that thought that your post was highly worthwhile, relevant, accurate, informative, or a combination thereof.

My brother became an Orthodox Jew (after an upbringing in Christian science!) So I'm fascinated with your arguments.

How very nice!

Very brave discussion. Thank you for you willingness to tackle the hard topics.

I would question how they justified great evil with the document, as the document is clear that most Jews are ignorant of the plot (and many of those involved are likely not Jews to begin with, dependent on your definition of Jew). People will always try to blame their own evil actions on something else, but we should evaluate all their claims against the truth.

Few people consider ignorance a worthy justification.

Interesting point.

You throw out crap like that, then have the gall to accuse me of treating strangers badly? I've been pretty civil here, but in real life ... let's just say you are one lucky little anti-Semite!

And I answered that post. It is one interpretation, however it is not what the simple reading of the text says. It is based more on catholic (universal church) dogma than scripture.

Sorry - got lost here

LOL!!! After reading some of the posts here, I'm not so sure of that!

Scripture makes clear that not everyone who is descended from the Jews is a Jew. Rather, a Jew is someone who, by faith, is in right relationship with God.

My argument is based entirely on Scripture, and not at all on 'universal church' dogma.

The term synagogue is of Greek origin ( synagein, “to bring together”) and means “a place of assembly.” The Yiddish word shul (from German Schule, “school”) is also used to refer to the synagogue, and in modern times the word temple is common among some Reform and Conservative congregations.

Considering the above we know the use of the original Greek word is simply the same as assembly. In the wrning against those who call themselves Jews and are not, this is a reference to any and all who praise God Yahweh.

The assembly is not referring to just one assembly but to any with false brethren.

Take a deep breath.
Well yes, that's human nature I'm afraid.

Yup - I'm being unclear. Good call. Let me step back and see where we are here.

I'm lost. Where do people want to gowith this?

Yes, we are grafted in as believers. In that context this could mean those were non-believers as well (and they were- my opinion). But Revelation was almost certainly written prior to the destruction of the Temple, so at best Gentiles were just starting to show up in significant numbers. So this was addressing primarily Jewish believers. Gentile believers would have been accepted as converts, but converts need a lot of teaching to get up to snuff. Jewish believers would simply have changed sects to that of the Nazarenes (the one where Paul was said to be a ringleader). All would have accepted Jesus (or Yeshua at the time) as the long awaited Messiah. But some, who apparently didn't claimed they were Jews (according to the text).

Galatians 3:1-3 ESV 3 O foolish Galatians! Who has bewitched you? It was before your eyes that Jesus Christ was publicly portrayed as crucified. 2 Let me ask you only this: Did you receive the Spirit by works of the law or by hearing with faith? 3 Are you so foolish? Having begun by the Spirit, are you now being perfected by the flesh?

Apparently there were those preying on congregations of mostly Gentile converts, telling them that they had to keep the "law" before they could be saved! They preyed on these because most Jews knew better. No one keeps the law perfectly, however with repentance comes grace. It has always been that way, otherwise it all would have ended with Adam. Or Abraham if you like. Or Moses. Or any of us. So any way you slice it, the plain text reading stands. Those claiming to be Jews who are not.

Still don't follow - you've set up an argument. Can you draw a clear conclusion?

What does it mean to claim to be Jews but not be so?

And what point do you draw from that?