9 I know your 1atribulation and 2bpoverty (but you are 2rich) and the 3cslander from those who call themselves dJews and are 4not, but are a 5esynagogue of 6fSatan.
95 The goal of God's economy is to have a unique temple on earth to testify of God and of the oneness of God's people. In the Old Testament, the place that God chose for the establishing of His unique temple was Jerusalem. Because God's people became fallen, divided, and scattered, numerous fallen, divided centers of worship were raised up; these became the synagogues. These synagogues were the places in which the Jews worshipped God mainly by studying their Scriptures, the Old Testament. However, because of their stubbornness in clinging to their traditional religious concepts, the Jews became one with Satan in opposing God's way of life, by which He fulfills His purpose. Under the manipulating, maneuvering hand of Satan, their synagogues opposed the Lord Jesus (Matt. 12:9-14; Luke 4:28-29; John 9:22), then the apostles (Acts 13:43, 45-46, 50; 14:1-2, 19; 17:1, 5-6), and then the churches. Therefore, the Lord called them "a synagogue of Satan." Even when He was on earth, He considered the synagogues to be of Satan, as implied in Matt. 12:25-29 and John 8:44. Apparently, those in the synagogues were worshipping God; actually, they were opposing God. They persecuted and killed God's true worshippers, yet they considered that they were offering service to God (John 16:2). Through all the centuries since then, religious people have followed in their steps, persecuting those who genuinely seek and follow the Lord in spirit and life, while still considering that they are defending the interests of God. Roman Catholicism and Protestantism, as well as Judaism, all fall into this category, having become an organization of Satan as his tool to damage God's economy.