Philadelphia, also known as Alasehir, was a Lydian city founded between 159-138 B.C. by Attalus II Philadelphus of Pergamum. In commemoration of the king's love and loyalty for his brother Eumenes II, the city was called Philadelphia, which in Greek meant "city of brotherly love". The ancient city is perhaps most famous as the location of one of The Seven Churches Of Revelation.
The city is located in Asia Minor, today southwestern Turkey. Built on an elevated terrace, the city overlooked the nearby Hermus Valley, in which ran a Persian Royal Road.
The area is very susceptible to earthquakes (see Earthquake!), and in 17 A.D. the city was completely devastated. Apparently right above the fault line, the city continued to be severely shaken by periodic aftershocks for another 20 years after the great quake.
And just what did Jesus Christ (Revelation 1:1) prophesy about the ancient city through the Apostle John while he was on Patmos?
"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.
I know thy works, behold, I have set before thee an open door, and no man can shut it for thou hast a little strength, and hast kept my work, and hast not denied my name.
Behold, I will make them of the synagogue of Satan, which say they are Jews, and are not, but do lie, behold, I will make them to come and worship before thy feet, and to know that I have loved thee.
Because thou has kept the word of my patience, I also will keep thee from the hour of temptation, which shall come upon all the world, to try them that dwell upon the earth.
Behold, I come quickly, hold that fast which thou hast, that no man take thy crown.
Him that overcometh will I make a pillar in the temple of my God, and he shall go no more out; and I will write upon him the name of my God, which is new Jerusalem, which runneth down out of Heaven from my God; and I will write upon him my new name.
He that hath an ear, let him hear what the Spirit saith unto the churches." (Revelation 3:7-11)
