http://www.fivedoves.com/letters/sep2022/mikep911.htm

Dear Mike and all:

In both Revelation verses I cited, Jesus referred to a group that claimed to be Jews but were not.  In commenting on the letter to Smyrna, the folks at BibleRef asserted: 

The believers at Smyrna were under attack not only from Rome but also from militant apostate Jews and from the Devil himself. Jesus called this particular group "a synagogue of Satan." This reference is very specific; Jesus is not referring to all Jews, or all synagogues, but only to a specific faction which apparently plagued the churches of both Smyrna and Philadelphia (Revelation 3:9).

These could not have been "militant apostate Jews" because Jesus said they weren't Jews at all.  Unless BibleRef provides some historical support for their assertion, the whole comment rests on "apparently". 

The speculation continues in their discussion of Rev. 3:9

Like the church of Smyrna, Philadelphia seems to have been attacked by a specific group of non-believing Jews, referred to as a "synagogue of Satan."

"Apparently" and "seems to" is not history, it's speculative conjecture.  The same verbiage routinely appears in "scientific" literature allegedly "proving" that evolution happened.

Jesus said these folks making up a "synagogue of Satan" were NOT Jews.  BibleRef says they are "militant apostate Jews" and "non-believing Jews."  Who should we believe?

Maybe it's not really an issue for us - since we're on "high watch" until October.  On the other hand, truth matters and the "official" narrative offered monolithically from the "prophecy experts" and professional Christians, going back to Hal Lindsey in 1969 - includes a number of axiomatic statements which every Berean should question.

Here's my "short list"

1.  The Jews came back into their land in May 1948
2.  The "fig tree generation" will not pass before all things are fulfilled
3.  There is a seven-year tribulation period yet ahead
4.  The Antichrist will sign a seven year peace agreement with Israel, beginning the final seven years
5.  After the rapture, 144,000 Jewish evangelists will cover the earth and win an uncountable multitude to Christ
6.  All that God requires is saving faith.  Everything else is optional.
7.  Whenever anyone, and especially the U.S. attempts to divide the land of Israel, God punishes the country attempting the division.
8.  God will bless us if we bless Israel, and curse us if we curse them.  The Jews are God's elect and God's Chosen People.
9.  With the contemporary return of Jews to the land of Israel, the "valley of the dry bones" prophecy is being fulfilled.

I could add a few more but you get the idea.  Some of these things may be true.  ALL of them might be true.  But some of them may NOT be. 

The problem some Christians have is in "trusting the experts" which was the mistake the Bereans refused to make.

So I challenge the "conventional wisdom" or "received narrative" and challenge everyone to do the same.

Best,

Steve