This evening we open the book of revelation to the sixth of the seven church of revelation. We find ourselves embracing the words of Jesus as given by John to the church of Philadelphia such as was the case with all of the seven letters of to the churches of Revelation. The City of Philadelphus as it was also known was located about 30 miles south east of Sardis and was founded around 190 BC. King Attalus of Pergamum due to his unusual devotion to his brother named the city Philadelphia which of course means brotherly love. This city was intended to serve as a center for the expansion of the Greek culture throughout the region in which it was located. Philadelphia was a land rich with vineyards and the production of wine, and was an important commercial stop as it was located on a major trade route known as the imperial post road. Interesting to know I found that in 17 AD Philadelphia was severely damaged by an earthquake and was given disaster aid to help rebuild by the emperor Tiberius. By the end of the first century all of the churches within this region were under going great persecution, but as we will see with the church here in Philadelphia they were faithfully enduring this time of persecution as spelled out for us to see according to John's letter as give him by Jesus. It was said that the Church here stood strong for centuries even as the area was overrun by the presence of Muslims before finally succumbing in the middle of the fourteenth century.