The Colosseum

"What have you done?

The voice of your brother's blood cries out

to Me from the ground." 

Genesis 4:10

We had to wait in line for about an hour to get in.  And as we entered its gates, we felt intercession stirring up.  The blood of the martyrs truly cries out from this place.

The name "Colosseum" comes from the colossal statue of Nero that once stood in front of it.

This place once sat 50,000 people per show.  It is said they could fill it and empty it as quickly and efficiently as we do today in our stadiums.

Gladiators, criminals, and wild animals fought to the death here in staged scenarios of every imaginable kind.  The floor has been removed so you can see all the passages underground.  Animals (everything from elephants and hippos to tigers, lions, and even crocodiles!) were kept underground in cages and lifted up in elevators!  The Gladiators or criminals (read: Christians) never knew what kind of animal would attack them nor from where they would attack.

A cross stands as a testimony to the torture suffered for its sake.

It gives me chills to even think of what this mask has seen.

Gana and I took a moment in the middle of the hordes of tour groups to pray for the persecuted Church.  Christians still die for their faith.

Outside the Colosseum there are "Gladiators" (pickpockets?) who will pose for pictures for tips.  They are as masculine and loud as you can imagine!  One of them shouted to this couple walking near us, "Sir, let your wife take a picture with me?  You're not insecure are you?" all the while flexing and strutting around.  When the man maneuvered his wife away, Gana said, "Hey, you can have my wife!"  The Gladiator said, "What?  You're not jealous?  Lady, you need a new husband!"

Every Gladiator needs a cell phone to hail his cab chariot.