To The Seven Churches – Philadelphia – Revelation 3:7-13
The church in Philadelphia, by human standards, would not have been successful. While they were in a large city, this city was loyal to Rome and resistant to any Christian influence. They did not present a great deal of wealth or influence. They city had been ravages by volcanic activity and earthquakes having to be rebuilt in the image of the Rome. Yet, for everything stacked against this church, it is mentioned by name by Jesus Christ in Revelation. Furthermore, like the church in Smyrna, Christ brings nothing against the church but rather exhorts them to continue in the faith.