Those Who Say They Are Jews

Q. Rev 2:9: “I know your works, tribulation, and poverty (but you are rich); and I know the blasphemy of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.”

Rev 3:9:  “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.”

Clearly, in the end-times (i.e. likely right now) there is some group passing itself off as Jewish; being recognized as Jewish on an international level, but is not Jewish. My research indicates that in reality the Tribes of Judah and Benjamin resided in the Southern Kingdom or Judea.  Hence, the term “Jew” is derived from “Judea” and belongs to the tribes that lived there.  Consequently, while all 12 tribes of Israel may rightly be considered Israelites, only 2 tribes (Judah and Benjamin) are actually Jews in God’s eyes.  Does the Bible make this distinction; and what is your opinion on this subject?

Concerning the “group calling themselves Jews, but are not Jews” or “the Synagogue of Satan”.  Do you have any thoughts on who, currently on the world stage, this may be?  Might it be one or more of the 10 non-Jewish tribes?  Might it be the Zionist Movement?

A. You’re correct in saying that the term Jew came from Judea, a name for the Southern Kingdom.   But all 12 tribes were  represented there (2 Chron. 11:16).  God has always preserved a remnant of the entire nation.

Various groups  have falsely claimed to be Jews over the years.  Today certain groups in the Church believe they’ve inherited the promises God made to Israel. Some of them even live according to to the Levitical system.  This view is called Replacement Theology.  The so-called Palestinians believe they have a right to the Land, claiming prior residency, and some Arabs believe that Ishmael was Abraham’s rightful heir to the Promised Land, being his first born.

Some teach that the European Jews, who make up a majority of Israel’s citizenry today,  are not a legitimate part of Israel because they are predominantly the descendants of converts and not true sons of Jacob. But the Bible disagrees with that view and in any case, you’ll find members of all 12 tribes in Israel today. The so-called 10 lost tribes were never completely lost. At the end of the Age God will find 12,000 each from 12 tribes in Israel to serve as His evangelists on Earth. (Rev. 7:1-8)