Explain the phrase “who are those which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan?”

I look at this a little different of those who say they are Jews and are not, but of the synagogue of Satan.  We find this statement in two different verse of Rev 2:9 and 3:9.  Jesus was talking to Christian churches, Smyrna, a church under persecution and Philadelphia, a church in revival.  Jesus was not talking to the Jewish people but to the church about those individuals.  We know we are to become a spiritual Jew.  Paul tells us this in Rom 28, 29 to be circumcision of the heart by the Spirit, and then we are a Spiritual Jew.  Satan has his ministers who have slipped in among Christian churches and they masquerade as servants of righteousness or Spiritual Jews.  What is a synagogue but a meeting place or assembly for a Christian Church.  So to me this means individuals who say they are Spiritual Jews and are not and among us today in our churches.  These individuals do lie and change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.  Paul tells us “Their end will be what their actions deserve.”  Right now, this is how I look at it.  Blessing

Stephen

 (Rev 2:9 NIV)  I know your afflictions and your poverty--yet you are rich! I know the slander of those who say they are Jews and are not, but are a synagogue of Satan.

(Rev 3:9 KJV)  Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie; behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.

(Rom 2:28, 29 NIV)  A man is not a Jew if he is only one outwardly, nor is circumcision merely outward and physical.  No, a man is a Jew if he is one inwardly; and circumcision is circumcision of the heart, by the Spirit, not by the written code. Such a man's praise is not from men, but from God.

 (2 Cor 11:14-15 NIV)  And no wonder, for Satan himself masquerades as an angel of light. {15} It is not surprising, then, if his servants masquerade as servants of righteousness. Their end will be what their actions deserve.

(Jude 1:4 NIV)  For certain men whose condemnation was written about long ago have secretly slipped in among you. They are godless men, who change the grace of our God into a license for immorality and deny Jesus Christ our only Sovereign and Lord.