Today in History

(Hubert Robert, The Fire of Rome, 1785)

One thousand nine hundred forty-nine years ago today (64 AD) the Great Fire of Rome began.  Three districts in the city were completely destroyed and seven others were seriously damaged; only four districts escaped the fire.

Some claimed the emperor, Nero, started the fire, though modern scholars tend to believe the fire was accidental.  To diffuse suspicion, Nero blamed the fire on the Christians.  

Christians were tortured and killed by hideous methods.  Some were fed to dogs and wild animals, some were crucified, and others were burned as lamps to illuminate Nero's garden at night.  

Today, think of the early Christians who suffered the cruelest tortures for the name of Jesus.  Are you living a life worthy of being called a Christian?

"Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, 

let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame,

 and is set down at the right hand of God."  --Hebrews 12:1-2