Cape of Terror becomes Cape of Good Hope!

The Southern tip of Africa is called the Cape of Good Hope.  Magellan’s men, the first to circumnavigate the globe, rounded the tip of Africa. Like Homers Odysseus who feared the island of the Sirens, so they feared what was known as; “The cape of Terror” The Fear of monumental winds and towering rogue waves, and sea monsters…  The known world lived in intrepid fear of this unknown horror rounding the horn.   When Magellan’s men rounded the cape they renamed it to Cape of Good hope because they found pleasant temperatures, calm seas, smooth sailing, brilliant blue skies and they renamed it “Cape of Good Hope!
             
Paul spoke of a similar intrepid fear and threat of death: “Oh death where I your sting? Oh Grave where is your victory?”    We are people of the Resurrection!!!  

Christ conquered death and our resurrection to life is sure, death is no longer the Cape of Terror to us. We will find the "crossing over" safe with no terrors awaiting us and instead of death holding unimaginable terrors, we will find death to be the Cape of Good Hope!

Ferdinand Magellan was the first to circum-navigate the globe leaving in 1519.  16th century {same century that Ponce De Lion looked for the Fountain of Youth in Florida.  Of all places, instead of finding the fountain of youth he cursed it to be the Fountain of Old Age.  It was also the same century that Francisco Coronado looked for the Seven Cities of Cibula (Gold) in Gallup, NM and all the way up into Rice county in central Kansas.}  It was believed that attempting to sail around the horn of Africa would mean certain and horrible death. They believed monstrous, tempestuous seas would be encountered. Horrible storms, dark skies, thunder, lightning and every imaginable certain destruction awaited the fool-heady navigator.  In addition there were enormous sea-serpents and other monsters waiting to gulp down any ship like they were toys.  For this reason the horn in those days were called "The Cape of Terrors".  When however Magellan’s crew rounded the horn; the Cape of Terrors, they encountered calm seas, smooth sailing, favorable winds,the sun shining brightly out of a brilliant blue sky, with no sign of dangers what-ever! For that reason the horn of Africa was renamed The Cape of Good Hope!  I keep saying; “Magellan’s crew” because Magellan was killed by natives when he landed on his first sighting of land on the Island of Cebu in the Philippines, on the beach called; Macatan. This is the same island where our own  Al & Betty Orchard (retired pastors from C. Spgs Indian Heights) were missionaries for several years and where today the Vesayan Nazarene Bible College prepares Filippino’s for ministry.  

Magellan left with 5 ships but only one ship called the Victoria returned with 18 ragged, starved and emaciated sailors.  They landed at the same place in Spain where they had departed 3 yrs earlier. They climbed the steps of the church Santa Maria De La Victoria to confess their sins committed in their world travels.