MORE BEYOND
In his book “Probing Heaven”, John Gilmore gives us this interesting bit of history–
“One time Spain controlled both sides of the narrowest part of the Strait of Gibraltar. At that narrowing of the two land masses (Africa and Europe), there was a huge marker called the “Pillar of Hercules,” and prior to Columbus’ voyage in 1492, it carried a three word Latin saying chiseled into stone: NE PLUS ULTRA, which, translated, said, “No More Beyond.” Coins, like stamps, can tell us about a country. They celebrate victories, praise founders, sloganize ethnic styles, and advertise scientific breakthroughs. “No More Beyond” was the standard belief of that time. No one would dare question the prevailing conviction that the western horizon contained nothing new. After Columbus’s discovery of a new world beyond Spain, recognition of the revised outlook was pressed into its coins. Coins were struck with a simple Latin slogan, two words: PLUS ULTRA: which meant “More Beyond.” Coins in circulation in Florida in 1796, still had that slogan!”
Now I want you to think about those words in a broarder and more blessed sense. It is a glorious thing to think about the person and work of Christ. It should always be on our mind. We should always be “Looking unto Jesus”. Many however fail to see the big picture. Their thoughts about the death of Christ are limited to the forgiveness of sins and the hope of heaven. While that is wonderful, that’s not all!
F.B. Meyer wrote, “Christ died, not only to put away sin by the sacrifice of Himself, but to rob death of its terrors, and deprive it of its sting. In death our Lord Jesus destroyed both the Devil and his power–(Heb. 2:14-14; Lohn 12:31; John 16:11).” Then Meyer goes on to say, “Let us not be afraid of the mystery of death.. the loneliness of death.. what comes after death”. That, dear friend, should remind us of the need to expand our horizons. We need to see the benefits of reflecting on all that we have in Christ. In Valladolid, Spain, where Christopher Columbus died in 1506, stands a monument commemorating the great discoverer. Perhaps the most interesting feature of the memorial is a statue of a lion destroying one of the Latin words that had been part of Spain’s motto for centuries. Before Columbus made his voyages, the Spaniards thought they had reached the outer limits of earth. Thus their motto was “Ne Plus Ultra,” which means “No More Beyond.” The word being torn away by the lion is “ne” or “no,” making it read “Plus Ultra.” Columbus had proven that there was indeed “more beyond.” That’s interesting, but better still is the fact that Christ, the Lion of the tribe of Judah has ripped away all our doubts and assured us that there is more beyond.
Think about it! The forgiveness of sin is fabulous, but there is more beyond! Deliverance from bondage is delightful, but there is more beyond! Being accepted by God is amazing, but there is more beyond! Assurance that we will miss hell and make heaven is astonishing, but there is more beyond! Promised a resurrection provides peace, but there is more beyond! Get the picture? Being a child of God we have a glorious inheritance as joint heirs with Christ. We will spend eternity enjoying what we have by virtue of our position.Think much and often of who you are and what you have in Christ and you will be transformed–changed from glory to glory. So far we have but touched the hem of the garment–there is more beyond!
Looking unto Jesus gives us joy unspeakable and full of glory, and a peace that passeth all understanding. There is never a reason for any Christian to be bored or bitter. Search the scriptures and discover what you have in Christ. Remember, the best is yet to come! Only eternity will reveal the glories that await us. “If ye then be risen with Christ, seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth on the right hand of God. Set your affection on things above, not on things on the earth.“–Col. 3:1-2. – HDS
David Stone
Lakeway Baptist Church
5801 FM 1960 E
Humble, TX. 77346
