Well, once again, someone has allowed their fervor for copyright to overtake their desire for free advertising. The video I had posted here originally has been removed and is no longer allowed to be embedded. You can watch Il Divo sing Amazing Grace at the Roman Coliseum by clicking this link. Then come back and find out what I got out of it.
I have to admit the above video is extremely moving. However, that is not why I post it. Secondly, I must also admit I personally believe God has only authorized us under His new covenant to sing while worshipping Him and not to play orchestrations even though it is highly emotional for us.
With those caveats, let me explain why I post this video.
As you watch the video, notice the building in which this concert is held. It is the Roman Coliseum. 1900 years ago, Christians were killed in this theater for sport. Christians were mauled by lions, burned at the stake, drawn and quartered. The crowds laughed and jeered. The emperors took up the sword against the emperor of the universe, King Jesus, and they believed they were winning. The Christians themselves may have believed the Romans were winning. How many times did they wonder if God could win against such evil?
Nearly 2000 years later, however, 4 men stand on the grounds where the blood of our brothers and sisters was spilt. Do they listen to jeering crowds demand their death? Do they cower before ravenous lions and armored gladiators? No. They stand for all the world to see, singing an anthem of Christianity. The crowds look on and cheer their praises.
“Amazing grace, how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me. I once was lost but now I’m found; was blind but now I see. Twas grace that taught my heart to fear and grace my fears relieved. How precious did that grace appear, the hour I first believed. When we’ve been there ten thousand years, bright shining as the sun, we’ve no less days to sing God’s praise than when we first begun.”
As I listen, I can almost hear the blood of my brothers and sisters crying out in praise of God’s mercy and grace along with the four men on stage. They have been on the other side for nearly 2000 years of our earth’s time, but they still have just as much time to sing God’s praise as when they first begun.
Many of you who follow my mutterings are Christians. Some of you are not. No matter on which side you fall, please see this for what it is. Rome turned all its power against Christ. The emperors are dead. Rome defeated. Christ lives on. Christ’s empire still stands. We as Christians can stand on the battlegrounds of the past and sing praises to our King and God.
“Through many dangers, toils, and fears, I have already come. Twas grace hath brought me safe thus far and grace will lead me home!”
Hallelujah! God always wins!