Philadelphia: A Weak Church with Great Opportunity

I came at this differently than the other letters, not following the usual formula of sender, commendation, criticism, etc.  I saw this as more of a specific set of revelations regarding Jesus' person and work to address the needs of those in the Philadelphia church.  They were a relatively weak church and Jesus knew that.  He gave them a great deal of information and exhortation about His person, His present work on their behalf, and His future appearance to encourage them in their weakness and trials.  There was some persecution from among the Jews in Philadelphia, and there was the prospect of greater trials (world-wide) in which they would need His care and keeping.