This study was first taught on December 1, 2019

Topic: The Assessment of the Churches (25.1): The Church in Philadelphia (The Two Assemblies (1))

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Background
We concluded our discussion on "An Open Door" as we looked at the Lord's statement to the church in Philadelphia, "<em>See, I have set before you an open door.</em>" We noted that the Lord had to make the proclamation or announcement because:
(1) What the Lord is saying is open may in fact be shut.
(2) There is no clear evidence that there is access.
(3) There is clear evidence of the presence of opposition that may discourage our proceeding any further.
(4) Spiritual courage or faith will be required to trust God that we will surely enter in no matter the obstacle and to proceed to gain access.

With things not being so 'cut and dry' how should we respond to the proclamation of the Lord? We noted that we are not to respond as Israel did in the wilderness when God asked them to go and possess the Promised Land, the first time—they resorted to planning and spying. We are also not to get into procrastination, which is basically a fear of the unknown. What we should be doing is simply advance toward the 'door' knowing that when we get there we shall surely gain access.

Thus, we require eyes that see as God sees; ears that hear what God is saying as we ought to hear; an understanding heart; and, spiritual courage or faith so that we can enter into the access that the Lord has announced in our hearing.

Scripture Text(s)
Revelation 3:7-9
In <strong><em>v.9</em></strong>, the Lord, the Assessor of the churches noted that in Philadelphia, there was a synagogue (of the Jews) which He said was of Satan. Our discussion shall centre on this issue as we move on to look at ...
Generally, a synagogue is an assembly of Jews largely, and a few Gentiles who had been proselyted. On the other hand, there was the church which was made up of Gentiles mostly, and possibly a few Jews who had converted to Christianity. The question is, were both assemblies worshipping God? What really was going on here?
Revelation 2—3; John 8:31ff; Romans 2:25-29; Deuteronomy 30:6; 10:16; Acts 7:51; 2 Corinthians 11:12-14; Matthew 16:13-26; Revelation 2:8-10; 3:9.

Conclusion
The Lord called the synagogue of the Jews in Philadelphia the synagogue of Satan, implying that they were not worshipping God, but paying obeisance to Satan. We have seen that only in places where the church did not give Satan access into it, was there a synagogue of note, to be branded a synagogue of Satan. The implication is that where ever there is present the true church of God, there will also be a synagogue of Satan. It is therefore imperative that we are able to identify the true church of God, and anything that does not conform to that is counterfeit and a synagogue of Satan.

The true church of God is made up of sinners who have been saved, sanctified, and are being sanctified. The true church of God may in fact be few numerically, politically impotent, persecuted and even poor financially. The crucial thing about the church of God is that they keep the word of God, they do not deny the name of the Lord, and they are faithful to God till the end. Any assembly that is not keeping the word of God, that denies the name of the Lord by there lifestyle, and that will not remain faithful to God in the face of life's challenges and even death, is not a true church of God, but a counterfeit and a synagogue of Satan.

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