From the reign of the Emperor Nero who sat the throne in 54 AD and commenced persecutions against Christians until Constantine the Great issued the Edict of Milan and legalized Christian worship in 313, many believers of the early church had to endure and overcome severe persecutions.
The believers deeply harbored the great love of God who unsparingly sent His only begotten Son for sinners and the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ who willingly gave up His life for them, and firmly kept their faith by the mighty works of the Holy Spirit even without fearing martyrdom. Their strong faith and martyrdom caused Christianity to be announced as the official state religion of the Roman Empire through the decrees issued by Theodosius the Great. This issue of Manmin News surveys the history of Roman persecutions against Christianity, Christians' martyrdom, their victory, and God's providences through elliptical amphitheatre Coliseum.


Coliseum, an Elliptical Amphitheatre in the Center of Rome

At its website, the Encyclopedia Britannica records the following about the Colosseum: "Colosseum, original name Flavian Amphitheatre, giant amphitheatre built in Rome under the Flavian emperors. Construction of the Colosseum was begun sometime between ad 70 and 72 during the reign of Vespasian; the structure was officially dedicated in 80 AD by Titus in a ceremony that included 100 days of games. Later, in 82 AD, Domitian completed the work by adding the uppermost story.
Unlike earlier amphitheatres, which were nearly all dug into convenient hillsides for extra support, the Colosseum is a freestanding structure of stone and concrete, measuring 620 by 513 feet (190 by 155 meters) overall. Three of the arena's stories are encircled by arcades framed by decorative half-columns in the Doric, Ionic, and Corinthian orders; the structure's rising arrangement of columns became the basis of the Renaissance codification known as the assemblage of orders. The amphitheatre seated some 50,000 spectators.
It was the scene of thousands of hand-to-hand combats between gladiators, of contests between men and animals, and of many larger combative engagements including mock naval engagements. However, it is uncertain whether the arena was the site of the martyrdom of early Christians. The Colosseum was damaged by lightning and earthquakes in medieval times and, even more severely, by vandalism; all the marble seats and decorative materials disappeared. A restoration project was undertaken in the 1990s. Changing exhibitions relating to the culture of ancient Rome are regularly mounted."
(Source: http://www.britannica.com/EBchecked/topic/126613/Colosseum)


Roman Empire's Persecutions on Christianity and Christians' Martyrdom

In 64 AD, a great fire took place in Rome and it burned for 15 days. The 15-day fire burned 10 of the 14 districts of the city of Rome: 3 districts were completely destroyed and the other 7 suffered serious damage. At that time a rumor of arson spread among the people in Rome and the rumor said the Emperor Nero had burned the city to reconstruct the city. There was another rumor that said the Emperor who was indulged in pleasure and extravagance intentionally burned the city and was playing the lyre and singing while the city burned. People were panic-stricken and the Emperor attributed the fire to the transgressions of Christians. As a result, many Christians were arrested and punished terribly.
After the elliptical amphitheatre Colosseum was built, Roman emperors and citizens enjoyed watching many Christians being eaten by lions and martyred in various cruel ways. While martyred in various executions, the believers in Jesus Christ showed no fear at all. The group who didn't fear death included very old people and young girls and committed their souls to the Lord and prayed toward the heaven, and then received death singing 'Hallelujah' to Him.
Christians were forbidden to enter public places and deprived of their citizenship. They were faced with various dangers on the street. Hebrews 11:35-38 describes their afflictions. It says, '…and others were tortured, not accepting their release, so that they might obtain a better resurrection; and others experienced mocking, scourging, chains and imprisonment. They were stoned, they were sawn in two. They were tempted, tested and put to death by the sword. They went about in sheepskins and goatskins. They were destitute, afflicted, and ill-treated men of whom the world was not worthy. They wandered in the deserts and mountains and lived in caves and holes in the ground.'


The Edict of Milan and Legalization of Christianity

When many Christians were wretchedly beheaded, eaten by lions, and met death by crucifixion to keep their faiths, the citizens of Rome considered them so foolish. But as time passed, the citizens discovered a strangeness about the dying people and started to think.
They began to think 'How could they smile and rejoice even while dying?' 'What made them smile before death?' and 'Who is this Jesus Christ they believe in?' Their curiosity in Jesus gradually increased. Some of them turned to Jesus and accepted the Lord Jesus when the gospel spread to them. Many people converted to Christianity and Christianity made an inroad into the Roman Empire.
In 313, the Edict of Milan was issued by Constantine the Great who ruled the Western Empire and Licinius who ruled the Eastern Empire and they legalized Christian worship. This was a significant turning point in the history of the Roman Empire and the blood of martyrdom of many believers was repaid. This was also a gravely influential movement of the gospel toward the Empire. In 392, Theodosius the Great issued the decrees that made Christianity the official religion of the Roman Empire. Thus, God caused Christianity to cover the whole empire of Rome and Christianity was accepted in Europe and all corners of the globe.
How is your faith? Do you have the full assurance of the love of God the Father who gave His only begotten Son for us and the love of our Lord Jesus Christ who abandoned all His glories in Heaven and cane down to this earth and became the propitiation for us?
As recorded in Romans 14:8 "for if we live, we live for the Lord, or if we die, we die for the Lord; therefore whether we live or die, we are the Lord's," those who truly believe in Him should live for the Lord alone.