This paper pursues the real image of the “self-proclaimed Jews” that appear six times in the Letters to the Seven Churches (Rev. chs. 2-3). Because the Pauline Epistles also refer to those who claim to be Jewish (e.g., Rom 2:17), some scholars have pointed out its relevance. In that case, the issue was the matter of the law. However, given the religious affairs of Asia Minor in the first century AD, it is doubtful that the controversy over the law could have driven Christians into prison and martyrdom. If the issue lies in understanding the law, it would be overkill for them to be ridiculed as ‘Satan’s rally.’ This paper pursues the image of ‘self-proclaimed Jews’ envisioned by the text’s internal author (Rev. chs. 2-3). We try to find an image of the group that can explain the following questions: 1) why they attacked local Christians, 2) why they were ridiculed as ‘Satan’s rally,’ 3) why they must be punished at the end time, 4) why they had to insist on being the Jews. Regarding self-proclaimed Jews, some think of Gentiles who behaved like Jews, and some scholars consider them real Jews. As for the latter, some assume orthodox Jews who value the norms of the law, while others envision the image of Jews who compromise on pagan societies. This paper attempts a new proposal for an image of the Jewish group that persecuted Christians for other reasons.
