Location
Overview
Philadelphia ("brotherly love") was a frontier city on the edge of the volcanic plateau. The sixth letter of Revelation gives it warm, unqualified encouragement.
The open door
Christ, "he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David," said, "I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it: for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my word, and hast not denied my name" (Revelation 3:7–8).
Kept in the hour of trial
Because they had kept "the word of my patience," he promised, "I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world" (Revelation 3:10).
A pillar in God's temple
The overcomer would be made "a pillar in the temple of my God," inscribed with the name of God and of "the new Jerusalem" (Revelation 3:12) — a precious promise to a city long shaken by earthquakes.
Events Here
Christ sets an open door before the faithful church of Philadelphia
Scripture References
2 versesRevelation2 verses
Revelation 1:11
Saying, I am Alpha and Omega, the first and the last: and, What thou seest, write in a book, and send it unto the seven churches which are in Asia; unto Ephesus, and unto Smyrna, and unto Pergamos, and unto Thyatira, and unto Sardis, and unto Philadelphia, and unto Laodicea.
Revelation 3:7
And to the angel of the church in Philadelphia write; These things saith he that is holy, he that is true, he that hath the key of David, he that openeth, and no man shutteth; and shutteth, and no man openeth;
Archaeology & History
Philadelphia (modern Alaşehir) sat on a fault line and suffered repeated, devastating earthquakes, so that its people often lived outside the walls — which makes the promise of being a permanent "pillar" in God's temple especially poignant. Like Smyrna, it received praise without rebuke.
People who appear here
Frequently asked about Philadelphia
Where is Philadelphia today?
Today, Philadelphia corresponds to Alaşehir, Turkey.
What does the name Philadelphia mean?
The name Philadelphia means “Brotherly love”.
What happened at Philadelphia in the Bible?
Key biblical events at Philadelphia include christ sets an open door before the faithful church of philadelphia.
Where is Philadelphia first mentioned in the Bible?
Philadelphia is first mentioned in Revelation 1:11.
How often is Philadelphia mentioned in the Bible?
Philadelphia is mentioned in 2 verses across 1 book: Revelation.
What does Philadelphia mean?
It means "brotherly love." The city was named for such loyalty, and its church received Christ’s commendation and the promise of "an open door."
What is the "open door" of Philadelphia?
An opportunity for witness and entrance that no one could shut, promised to the faithful church that had "kept my word, and hast not denied my name."