Violent pounding was heard at the door to Samuel's apartment. Samuel hastily concealed the scroll, which contained the old testament he had been studying. Many of his Christian friends had been slaughtered in the arena, for in Rome Christianity was strictly forbidden. For days, he had been hiding and he feared that they might seek him out. "Open the door, Samuel," the soldier bellowed, "I know you're in there." Little by little, Samuel cracked open the door. "Samuel Cephas," the officer announced harshly, "By order of the emperor you are under arrest for your ruthless rebellion against Roman religion. Please follow me." Immediately, the officer seized Samuel and hauled him away. Samuel wished he had never opened that door.
The arena is waiting for me, Samuel thought, as the officer hauled him away, and even worse, the lions are anticipating my arrival. The officer guided Samuel to an underground prison, where he was thrown into a murky dungeon. He was left alone for four days with nothing to eat but bread and water. Although the conditions were harsh, they didn't stop Samuel from praying to God daily. Finally, the day came where his faith would be tested. Two soldiers escorted Samuel to the arena, where he discovered two things: a mocking, scornful crowd and a gang of 20 lions. But he was not the least bit frightened because he knew God was with him. After being guided to the middle of the arena and released by the two soldiers, the lions were unfastened from their chains. Bang! The lions bounded out of the gate in a stampede and orbited around Samuel like vultures. Samuel thought about Daniel and his encounter with the lions in their den. Then he recalled what Daniel did. He knelt down in the crimson sand and prayed to God. Suddenly, without warning, the first lion pounced.
Unexpectedly, the beast halted. It observed him in a curious manner as if he were deciding what to do with him. Then a miracle occurred. The lion lowered his body and offered Samuel a ride on his back! The crowd was awestruck. Who was this man who controlled ravenous lions, which had devoured so many souls? The crowd roared, "This is not a man but a god!" Samuel knew the crowd had the wrong idea. God was the one who deserved the credit, not a mere man. So, from the back of the lion he cried out, "This is not a miracle from the many gods of Rome; this is a miracle from the one and only God. This is the God of Israel and of the Jews and you are ruthlessly persecuting him. He is the one who has saved me from the jaws of the lions!" The crowd was mesmerized. "Release him!" the crowd shouted," Release him!" and so Samuel was released. "Thank you Lord", Samuel prayed, "Thank you once more for your grace and mercy!"