Philadelphia bible tour

Philadelphia was a city in western Asia Minor, home to a Christian congregation addressed in one of the seven letters mentioned in the book of Revelation. Located in the region of Lydia, it was situated on a hilly plateau south of the Cogamis River, about 45 kilometers southeast of Sardis and 80 kilometers northwest of Laodicea. The city was established in the second century BCE by Eumenes II, king of Pergamum, or possibly by his brother Attalus II, also known as Philadelphus, after whom the city was named. Positioned at the entrance to a broad valley, Philadelphia served as a gateway to the interior of Phrygia. It was also well-connected by roads leading to the coast, Pergamum to the north, and Laodicea to the southeast.

Philadelphia thrived as a center of wine production, and its primary deity was Dionysus, the god of wine. The region, however, was prone to frequent earthquakes, one of which destroyed the city in 17 CE. With financial assistance from Rome, the city was rebuilt and renamed Neocaesarea, meaning «New Caesarea.» Later, it adopted the name Flavia. Today, the site is occupied by the modern town of Alaşehir. Historically, Philadelphia played a role in spreading Hellenism throughout Asia Minor.

There were also Jewish residents in the city, as suggested by the mention of those described as “from the synagogue of Satan who say they are Jews.” These individuals might have opposed the Christians by attempting to win back those of Jewish origin or by encouraging the adoption of practices from the Mosaic Law. Despite these challenges, the Christians of Philadelphia remained steadfast in their faith. They were commended for their endurance and urged to “keep on holding fast.”