The persecution of the Christians in Smyrna was great, from both Gentiles and Jews. The Jews had rejected Jesus as their Messiah, and with that they had chosen to serve satan. John 8:39 They answered him, "Abraham is our father." Jesus said to them, "If you were Abraham's children, you would do what Abraham did. 44 You are of your father the devil, and your will is to do your father's desires. He was a murderer from the beginning. That is why their synagogue of Satan is mentioned here.