Philadelphia was known as the gateway to Asia. It was a centre for the worship of the god Dionysus, but had a fair collection of temples to other gods as well. It was in an earthquake zone, and had suffered one in 17 BC. It bears some similarities to Smyrna in that it received no criticism and one of the problems was the Jews, with reference again to the synagogue of the Satan.
Jesus is described as the one who is holy and holds the key of David. This latter part is perhaps significant because of the Jewish opposition. Jesus is the true son of David. The attempts of the Jews would be futile in seeking to stop the church. Jesus had opened the door to salvation and no one could shut it.
The church was weak in human terms, but their faithfulness more than counteracted this. We need to remain true to the gospel.
The so-called Jews were not true Jews, because they had not recognised Jesus Christ. In the end it is they who would bow down to the church, not the other way about.
Jesus then promises to keep them from the hour of trial. The precise meaning of this is not clear. Then He encourages them to continue in their faithfulness. Jesus would make them pillars in the temple, there could be another reference to the Jews here. The church would be part of the true temple. Indeed the subsequent promises seem to indicate this. They are part of the true Israel.
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