Imagine living in Philadelphia nearly 2,000 years ago. The ground beneath your feet could suddenly begin to shake, buildings could come crashing down, and before long, you might find yourself rebuilding your home all over again.​ That was life in ancient Philadelphia. The whole region was prone to earthquakes, but this city seemed to suffer more than most. In 17 CE, a devastating earthquake left Philadelphia almost entirely in ruins.

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Philadelphia was founded in the second century BCE by King Eumenes II of Pergamum, or possibly developed further under his brother Attalus II, who succeeded him. The name Philadelphia means “brotherly love,” traditionally linked to Attalus II's loyalty to his brother. The city later became part of the Roman province of Asia.

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After the earthquake of 17 CE, Emperor Tiberius helped fund the city's reconstruction. In gratitude, its people renamed it Neocaesarea. Later, following further financial assistance from Emperor Vespasian after another disaster, the name Flavia also came into use.

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Despite the repeated destruction, Philadelphia continued to grow and remained an important city in the region. And it was here, many centuries ago, that a Christian congregation received a message from Jesus that we can still read today in Revelation chapter 3.

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“A Pillar” in the Temple of God (Rev. 3:12)

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What did Jesus mean when he promised to make someone “a pillar in the temple of my God”? There is very little left of ancient Philadelphia today, but the words he addressed to the congregation here, recorded at Revelation 3:7-13, still give us plenty to think about.

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On the tour, we'll explore the background to Jesus’ message and discover why the picture of a pillar would have been so meaningful to Christians living in this earthquake-prone city. We'll also look at how his promise connects with the spiritual temple and the hope he held out to those who remained faithful.

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As we explore the site and consider Jesus’ words together, we'll see how a simple image, a pillar that would never have to leave its place, carries a much deeper meaning.