“I know thy works, and tribulation, and poverty, (but thou art rich) and I know the blasphemy of them which say they are Jews, and are not, but are the synagogue of Satan.” – Revelation 2:9

Blasphemy: G988, slander, detraction, speech injurious, to another’s good name.

When people speak about another person to slander, detract, or injure their reputation in the eyes of others, then they are committing blasphemy against them.

Something interesting about ancient Smyrna: it was one of the centers of the Roman Imperial Cult, i.e. Emperor Worship. Under Roman rule, Jews were exempt from Emperor worship and free to practice their own religion; it was compulsory for everyone else.

Romans originally saw the followers of “the Way” as a sect of Judaism, so they shared the same privileges as the rest of Judaism. As time went on, and “Christianity” growing – including many new “gentile” converts, the Christians lost their privileges and were expected to worship the Emperor just like the rest of the Romans.

This “synagogue” – or congregation – “of Satan” – the accuser – (congregation of accusers) would “blaspheme” the followers of the Way: they would tarnish their good name by accusing them of not worshiping the Roman Emperor, thus resulting in their persecution.

This parallels the narrative in the Book of Daniel, and what we see with the Beast System described in other parts of Revelation.

People should be careful about using “Rev 2:9 Jews” to describe who they believe are the “fake-Jew impostors”; an ideology that is growing in popularity over the last several years. Revelation 2:9 and 3:9 should be taken in their proper context within Revelation and the rest of scripture.

“But he is a Jew, which is one inwardly; and circumcision is that of the heart, in the spirit, and not in the letter; whose praise is not of men, but of Elohim.” Romans 2:29

We should be careful about “blaspheming” others ourselves. Instead, proclaim the Good News of the Kingdom of Elohim, while having the testimony of Yeshua and the Keeping of the Commandments of Elohim as our priority, letting our works be our witness and light in the world. At the same time being wise and cautious of those who are outwardly religious – be they Jew, Christian, Muslim, Buddhist, Hindu, Taoist, Humanist, Catholic, or even Hebrew Roots/Messianic.

That’s my current position on it.