Background
- Founded in 189 B.C. by Pergamon King Eumenes
- Named for his love of his brother Attalus.
- Attalus III gave his kingdom to the Roman Empire upon his death
- 129 B.C. Philadelphia made up part of Rome’s Asia Province
- Border town for three regions and a missionary outpost for Greek culture
- Strategic trade town in Asia
- between Rome and the East
- 27 miles from Sardis and 48 from Laodicea
- Great wine (volcanic cliffs nearby = fertile soil for amazing grapes)
- Lots of earthquakes (destroyed in 19 A.D. w/ Sardis)
- Didn’t have a great sense of security.
- Called “Little Athens” = many gods and idols
- It’s church received praise from Jesus
Life Group Questions
- Why do you think Jesus continues to repeat “Who He is” at the beginning of each one of these letters? I mean, He’s talking to churches…
- Does belief precede doing? Or doing precede belief? Can you believe along the way as you do?
- Does it make sense that Jesus continues to acknowledge the deeds (good or bad) of His people? Why or why not?
- It appears that Jesus does not ignore faithfulness. Where else in Scripture do we see examples of Jesus taking note of the faithfulness of people?
- What are some practical ways to “hold on” to Christ faithfully in your life?
- What are some challenges that arise (if any) for you personally to be intentionally faithful to Christ?
- Jesus makes promises at the end of this letter as well as the others. How do you process God promises here? Or can you?