Urantia Book 21. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of Nebadon. Jesus was working in Zebedee’s workshop for a while when runners came announcing that a man named John was preaching and baptizing penitents in the Jordan. John preached: “The kingdom of heaven is at hand; repent and be baptized.” Jesus listened to these reports as John worked his way up the Jordan valley…When John had reached a point near Pella in January of AD 26, Jesus put down his tools and said: “My hour has come,” and presented himself to John for baptism” (134.9.8). But this was not the same Jesus that people remembered from before his ascent of Mount Hermon. ************************ John the Baptist was born on March 25, 7 BC according to the promise Gabriel made to Elizabeth. Her husband, Zacharias, didn’t believe it until he had a dream confirming it. Still, he lost his speech until John was presented to the Temple. The most exciting thing in John’s life was a trip to visit Jesus when he was 6 years old (they were relatives). John was homeschooled by both parents. His father was a priest and well-versed in the scriptures, and his mother was well-educated for the times, too. At 14 John took the Nazarite vow to live a clean life. A Nazarite was in the same class as the high priest, and was the only person besides the high priest who could enter the holy of holies in the Temple. John, after his father’s death, took up sheep herding because Jesus told him the time was not right yet. After John’s mother’s death, when he was 28, he gave his herds to the brotherhood and detached himself from the world while he fasted and prayed. John only knew the old methods of approach to divinity; he only knew the records of Elijah, Samuel and Daniel. His ideal prophet was Elijah, and he believed he himself would be the last of a long, illustrious line of the messengers of heaven (135.4.2). And he was right. John had an expectation that Elijah would come again, and this held him back from preaching for 2 years, which he spent in the Nazarite home reading the book of Isaiah and other prophets, like Malachi, who said: “Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the coming of the great and dreadful day of the Lord; and he shall turn the hearts of the fathers toward the children and the hearts of the children toward their fathers, lest I come and smite the earth with a curse” (135.4.4). So John thought Elijah had returned and he was afraid of competing with him. John knew he wasn’t Elijah reincarnated, but he theorized that, since the first prophet was named Elijah, the last prophet would be named Elijah. His doubts kept him from calling himself Elijah, however. But he imitated Elijah in all things: his bluntness, his dress, his preoccupation with sins and vices, his denunciation of religious leaders. He decided that “the kingdom of God” would be the theme of his preaching and that he would be the prophet who proclaimed the Messiah. At this point he had no doubts and one day in March of AD 25, he walked out of the Nazarite home and began preaching repentance and baptizing.**** When Jesus and John entered the scene, Jews were influenced by apocalyptic thinking. They expected an end to Roman rule and the appearance of a Messiah-king from the line of David. It was an end of times thinking; the sufferings of the Jews was a penalty for the nation’s sins. That’s how they explained the Babylonian Exile. The Messiah would bring in the kingdom of God. So when John said: “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand,” his listeners heard a dozen different messages. As John journeyed along the Jordan, he would say: “Go tell your masters that you have heard one crying in the wilderness, as spoken by the prophet, “make ready the way of the Lord, make straight a highway for our God” (135.6.6). When asked if he were the Messiah, he would say: “There will come after me one who is greater than I, whose sandal straps I am not worthy to unloose. I baptize you with water, but he will baptize you with the Holy Spirit” (135.7.2). John had lost his certainty about all this. He was confused. The further north along the Jordan he went, the more confused he became. He had no idea if Jesus was the promised Messiah. He was sorely in doubt about the role of Jesus in the coming kingdom of God. Was the kingdom even coming? When John and his followers reached Pella, Jesus and his brothers James and Jude went to him to be baptized. They stood in line to be baptized, which John had not expected. John didn’t say anything until Jesus stood in front of him. Then he said:”But why do you come down into the water to greet me?” Jesus answered:”To be subject to your baptism.” John replied: “But I have need to be baptized by you. Why do you come to me?” And Jesus whispered to John: “Bear with me now, for it becomes us to set this example for my brothers standing here with me, and so the people will know my hour has come” (135.8.5). Jesus was baptized on Monday, January 14, AD 26. After John had baptized James and Jude, he dismissed all others for the day. As the 4 were still standing in the water they heard a strange noise, and then they heard a voice saying: “This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.” Jesus’ face changed, he walked out of the water, headed east, and wasn’t seen again for 40 days.
Urantia Book 20. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. Jesus left Nazareth on the 1st of April, AD 24 for the caravan trip to the Caspian Sea area. This trip caused him to become closer to the Asian countries and to gain a better understanding of those peoples. He managed to make intimate contact with every one of the surviving races of Urantia except one: the red man. He enjoyed his personal ministry to these varied people. The Europeans from the Far West and the Asiatics from the Far East alike gave attention to his words of eternal life and hope. Leading the caravan was an unusual experience for Jesus because he functioned in an executive capacity, being responsible for the travelers’ safety and the protection of their possessions. On the return trip from the Caspian region, Jesus gave up direction of the caravan at Lake Urmia, where he rested for 2 weeks. Later, he went home to Capernaum and stayed with the Zebedees (134.2.1-5). ************ Urmia was an old Persian city on the shores of Lake Urmia. Off shore there was a large island with an amphitheater dedicated to the “spirit of religion.” Debates were held on the philosophy of religions. It was a school, and teachers represented every religion known at the time. No conflicts between religions were tolerated. Jesus took part in many of the discussions. He was also invited to give 24 lectures on the “Brotherhood of Men,” and to conduct 12 evening sessions for questions, discussions and debates on his lectures. These lectures were the most systematic and formal of all the Master’s teaching on Urantia. In reality, these lectures were on “the kingdom of God” and “the kingdoms of men.” The faculty of this school represented more than 30 religions and religious cults. In order to qualify as a faculty member, one had to espouse a belief in God. A Supreme Deity had to be included in their doctrines. Jesus taught that the kingdom of heaven is spiritual, that its founded on divine sovereignty–God. Religions will be at peace if they recognize the sovereignty of God. The Supreme Court has written God out of public life, and the result has been terrible. This country has lost its way. We have subjective values instead of truths we can all agree on. We have the top 1%insanely wealthy and a failing middle class. We have a cabal that wants to reduce the world’s population to 500,000. We were told the cabal would be arrested and sent to GITMO, but that hasn’t materialized. We have a government that keeps its citizens in the dark about too many events, the secret space program, free energy, ETs.********* When Jesus was 31, AD 25, he returned from Urmia. As he was passing through Palestine, his Thought Adjuster led him to Mount Hermon in order to finish the work of mastering his human mind and complete his full consecration to the remainder of his lifework on earth. Jesus was alone with God for 6 weeks on the slopes of Mount Hermon.**************** At the end of the 6 weeks, Jesus procured a pack animal and hired a boy named Tiglath. In the middle of August in AD 25 he set up a base camp, and leaving his supplies with Tiglath, he climbed up Mount Hermon. At 6000 feet he built a stone container in which Tiglath would put food twice a week. As Jesus ascended the first day he prayed that the Father would send a “guardian seraphim to be with Tiglath. He requested that he be permitted to go up to his last struggle with the realities of mortal existence alone. And his request was granted. He went into his great test with only his indwelling Adjuster to guide and sustain him” (134.8.2). While on the mountain, Jesus was confronted by superhuman beings, with whom he wrestled in spirit, and whom he defeated in power. They were real; they were his archenemies in the System of Satania.We can blame the Lucifer rebellion for the chaotic state of human civilization: wars, genocides, revolutions, murders, rapes, invasions, poverty, inequality, addictions and I could go on. During August and September Jesus finished the mortal task of personality control and mental comprehension. Jesus became assured of his triumph over the material aspects of his being, and the ascendancy of his divine nature over his human nature. During the last week on the mountain, Jesus asked the Father for permission to hold a conference with his Satania enemies as Joshua ben Joseph, the Son of Man. Permission was granted and a universe trial was set in motion. Satan, representing Lucifer, and the rebellious Planetary Prince, Caligastia, were present and fully visible to Jesus. And this “temptation,” this final trial of human loyalty in the face of misrepresentations of rebel personalities, had not to do with food, temple pinnacles or presumptuous acts. It had not to do with the kingdoms of this world, but with the sovereignty of a mighty and glorious universe. To the many proposals and counter proposals of the emissaries of Lucifer, Jesus only made reply: “May the will of my Paradise Father prevail, and you, my rebellious son, may the Ancients of Days judge you divinely. I am your Creator-father; I can hardly judge you justly, and my mercy you have already spurned. I commit you to the adjudication of the judges of a greater universe”(134.8.7). The Ancients of Days are the 3 rulers of the superuniverse of Orvonton. Lucifer and Satan were found guilty and chose self-termination as punishment. When Jesus came down the mountain, the rebellion was settled (or at least passed to a higher court), and he had gained full sovereignty of his universe.
Before I start, I want to explain why its been so long since my last post. I had to have my dog euthanized last Monday, and I’m not taking it well, not at all. I avoided facing my feelings, which is typical for me, so I was paralyzed and didn’t want to do anything. But I was finally able to get some writing done. Here it is. This is the life of Jesus, God of Nebadon. Their next stop was Cyprus. They loaded several pack animals with supplies and traveled into the remote mountains. Ganid suddenly became seriously ill with a high fever in an area with no doctors. Gonod was impressed with Jesus’ expertise in nursing Ganid back to health. When Ganid regained his health, he and Jesus walked the hills while Jesus discoursed on the human mind. Ganid wanted to know why Jesus said that “man experiences a higher form of self-consciousness than do the higher animals.” Jesus had already told Ganid about the divine spirit living in the mind. Then Jesus added: “self-consciousness is a reality. When any animal becomes self-conscious, it becomes a primitive man. (Also), Ideas are not simply a record of sensations; ideas are sensations plus the reflective interpretations of the personal self; and the self is more than the sum of one’s sensations…No mere animal could possess time self-consciousness…Neither is the human self merely the sum of the successive states of consciousness” (133.7.6-9).******************************* The three stopped at Antioch, but the city was so immoral, that Jesus made no contacts and they soon left for Mesopotamia. Jesus helped with the loading of 20 camels, and Ganid asked him if there were anything he couldn’t do. Their target city was the ancient city of Ur. Jesus was very interested in Ur because Abraham was born there. Also, his father, Terah, was a priest of the Anunnaki “gods” who were actually an alien human race which developed the earthly human race. It would be interesting to know what Jesus thought of this. On earth Jesus had Life Carriers which seeded planets with DNA and other elements of life. When they were sure these living elements would survive, the Life Carriers went back to their labs and let Evolution take over. The people who study alien influence on humans say that we have been interbred with several alien species. Humans are actually aliens. And we have aliens walking our streets and we don’t know what their agenda is. David Jacobs of Temple University thinks their agenda is to take over earth. We know they made treaties with our government, and we know they ignored these treaties by abducting people. And that base at Dulce, NM is a horror chamber. Our military can’t control what happens there, and they have died trying. There are bad things going on in this world. That’s why I stay close to Jesus. Back to the post: While in Ur, Jesus and Ganid had a long talk about the difference among knowledge, wisdom and truth. Ganid liked the saying of the Hebrew wise man: “Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom. With all your quest for knowledge, get understanding. Exalt wisdom and she will promote you. She will bring you to honor if you will but embrace her” (133.9.3). You notice the feminine pronoun in this saying. Wisdom in the Hebrew scriptures is feminine. She is the female counterpart of Yahweh, or perhaps she’s the feminine part of Yahweh. In very olden days Yahweh had a wife-goddess named Asherah. After they had seen Ur, it was time for them to part. They parted at Charax, a small boat taking Ganid and his father out to the ship they would sail in. Ganid grew up to be successful, and he enjoyed spreading his tutor’s teachings everywhere he went. When he heard of the crucifixion of a holy man in Palestine, he did not link him with his tutor.******* Jesus “made deliberate plans to return to Galilee to await the beginning of his lifework as a public teacher of truth…he did this of his own free will” (134.0.1). He decided that Palestine, the place of his birth, was the best place to set the closing chapters and enact the final scenes of his life on earth. He was finally satisfied with the program of fully manifesting his true nature and of revealing his divine identity among the Jews and gentiles of his native Palestine. Jesus had left Charax in December AD 23, and proceeded to Babylon, where he joined a caravan going to Damascus. From there he went to Zebedee’s boatshop in Capernaum, where he met his brothers James and Jude. Next, he went on to Nazareth and spent time with Mary and Ruth, the youngest at 15. Jesus was now 30 and it was AD 24. His family thought his absence was due to study in Alexandria, and he said nothing to the contrary. His family, especially his mother, wondered why he was so quiet. Why didn’t he tell his family about his adventures with the 2 Indians? What was Jesus afraid of revealing? Was it too secular? Was having fun something just not done? He revealed that side of himself when he set up recreation for his disciples. Was he afraid of criticism? Anyway, Simon and Jude had wanted to get married, but they wanted Jesus’ permission. Now with Jesus present, they could go ahead. So in early March of AD 24, they were married at a double wedding. Jesus was no sooner home than he picked up another job leading a caravan. A caravan leader suddenly died in Nazareth and Jesus, with his linguistic skills, offered to replace him. He would be gone a year. And his inner self needed more work before he could reveal himself. “Progress was made in effecting working harmony between his human mind and the indwelling Adjuster. The Adjuster had been actively engaged in reorganizing the thinking and in rehearsing the mind for the great events which were in the not then distant future. The personality of Jesus was preparing for his great change in attitude toward the world…(He would now be) making ready to complete his earth career as man appearing as God” (134.1.7).
Urantia Book 19. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. As the three were waiting to embark at Tarentum, they saw a man mistreating his wife. Jesus took the man aside and was so tactful in his approach to him that the man expressed sorrow for his behavior. “And then, in bidding him farewell, Jesus said: My brother, always remember that man has no rightful authority over woman unless the woman has willingly and voluntarily given him such authority. Your wife has engaged to go through life with you, to help you fight its battles and to assume the far greater share of the burden of bearing and raising your children; and in return for this special service, it is only fair that she receive from you that special protection that man can give to woman as the partner who must carry, bear and nurture the children…The Father in heaven treats the Spirit Mother of the children of the universe as one equal to himself”(133.2.2). As their boat moved away, they could see the couple in a silent embrace. Gonod, having heard the last part of Jesus’ message, meditated all day about it and decided to reorganize his household when he returned to India. Next, they spent several days in Nicopolis at the home of Jeramy, a Greek proselyte. Later, Paul would spend all winter in the same house with the son of Jeramy. Next, they sailed for Corinth. In Corinth, Ganid was interested in the Jewish religion, and they went to the synagogue frequently. They met the chief ruler, Crispus, and became very fond of him and his family. Jesus taught Crispus a deeper religion, and when Paul came through teaching the Gospel, he and his family became Christians. Paul was joined later by Silas and Timothy, and they heard a lot about the “Jewish tutor of the son of an Indian merchant.” Ganid knew Jesus didn’t like the public baths and was evasive about the topic of sex. One night as they were walking along, they passed two prostitutes. Thinking Jesus would disapprove of them, Ganid rudely told them to move away. Jesus said to Ganid: “You mean well, but you should not presume thus to speak to the children of God, even though they chance to be his erring children. Who are we that we should sit in judgment on these women? Do you happen to know all of the circumstances which led them to resort to such methods of obtaining a livelihood? Stop here with me while we talk about these matters” (133.3.6). Jesus said that prostitution didn’t make the women evil. Jesus took the women to a friend’s house. One found a job in the friend’s business and the other died.***** Athens, the center of culture, was the next stop. At their inn a Greek philosopher lectured for 3 hours about science. When he was finished, Jesus replied: “Scientists may someday measure the energy, or force manifestations, of gravitation, light and electricity, but the same scientists can never (scientifically) tell you what these universe phenomena are” (133.5.4). Jesus went on with a very complicated analysis of matter and energy; and the insufficiency of math and equations. He said that science and religion both must become less dogmatic. Real knowledge says that quantitative fact and qualitative value have a common causation in the Paradise Father. And “when the energies of the universe are so slowed down that they acquire the requisite degree of motion, then, under favorable conditions, these same energies become mass” (133.5.9). I am at a loss to know why Jesus is discussing the opposite of Einstein’s formula, E=MC2. Anyway, his listeners were astounded, and one of them said: “At last my eyes have beheld who thinks of something besides racial superiority and talks of something besides religion.” They didn’t make many contacts in Athens because people were either intellectually snobbish or stupid and ignorant.******************************** Ephesus, the first Christian city and the Roman capital of Asia, was next on their itinerary. Ephesus was important later because there Christianity got its start. Paul spent two years preaching there while making tents for a living. Jesus had a conversation with a Greek who was confused by his use of the word “soul.” Jesus answered him by saying: ” The soul is the self-reflective, truth-discerning and spirit-perceiving part of man which forever elevates him above the animal world. Self-consciousness, in and of itself, is not the soul…the soul is that part of man which represents the potential survival value of human experience. Moral choice and spiritual attainment, the ability to know God and the urge to be like him, are the characteristics of the soul. The soul cannot exist apart from moral thinking and spiritual activity. A stagnant soul is a dying soul. As long as there is a glimmer of a desire to find the Father, the soul can survive.
Urantia Book 18. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. When Jesus was in Rome, he was approached many times to help with businesses, religious teaching or social reform. He was happy to serve these people while injecting some thought of spiritual uplift. Jesus talked with a Roman senator on politics and statesmanship; and such an impression was made on this senator that he spent the rest of his life trying to change government policy from supporting people to having people support the government. Jesus talked one evening to a slaveholder about man as a son of God, and the next day this man, Claudius, gave 117 slaves their freedom. He had dinner with a Greek physician and told him that his patients had minds and souls as well as bodies; this led the doctor to a more far-reaching ministry to his patients. The only place Jesus refused to go was the public baths because of the promiscuity in these places. He also may have known about germs.**************************** There was one incident in Rome that came close to a public appearance. “Jesus met a poor man who had been falsely accused, and went with him before the magistrate. Having obtained special permission to appear on the man’s behalf, Jesus made a superb defense as follows:”Justice makes a nation great, and the greater the nation, the more solicitous it will be to see that injustice shall not befall even its most humble citizen. Woe upon any nation when only those who possess money and influence can secure ready justice before its courts. It is the sacred duty of a magistrate to acquit the innocent as well as to punish the guilty. Upon the impartiality, fairness and integrity of its courts the endurance of a nation depends. Civil government is founded on justice, even as true religion is founded on mercy…The judge re-opened the case, and when the evidence had been sifted, he discharged the prisoner”(132.4.8).*********************** A rich man introduced by Angamon asked Jesus what he should do with his great wealth. Jesus, not taking him seriously, told him to leave it to his descendants. But the man was serious, so Jesus told him to analyze his wealth and find the sources of the wealth. And what are they? 1. Inherited 2. Discovered-oil 3.Trade 4. Unfair wealth 5.Interest on investments 6. Genius wealth from inventions 7. Accidental wealth 8. Stolen wealth 9.Trust funds 10. Earned wealth. Then, said Jesus, divide your wealth into these 10 divisions and when in doubt about the equity and justice of these divisions, favor those who are in need, favor those who suffer the misfortune of undeserved hardships. Claudius wanted Jesus to be more specific, so this is what Jesus told him: 1. If any of your inherited wealth was obtained illegally, give it to the needy. 2. Discovered wealth is usually developed with partners. 3. Trade should always be honest. 4. There is no place for slavery in the life of a god-loving mortal. 5. Capital lent must be legitimate wealth. 6. The inventor and the company he works for deserve a portion of the wealth from the invention. 7. Accidental wealth must be shared by the God-loving mortal. 8. If wealth is procured by fraud, it must be returned immediately. 9. Only take from a trust what is allowed. 10. Your wages are rightfully your own. When the man said goodnight, he promised to begin the administration of his wealth according to Jesus’ advice.*************** During their stay in Rome, Jesus and Ganid encountered a lost child and devoted their time to finding his home. Jesus said to Ganid, “You know, Ganid, most human beings are like the lost child. They spend much of their time crying in fear and suffering in sorrow when, in very truth, they are but a short distance from safety and security, even as this child was only a little way from home…Did we not supremely enjoy this ministry of restoring the child to his mother? So do those who lead men to God experience the extreme satisfaction of human service”(132.6.1).***************** The trio made 5 trips away from Rome to points of interest in the surrounding territory. They met a man casually that Jesus did not converse with, and this puzzled Ganid. Jesus explained that the man was not ripe for the harvest of salvation; he must be allowed more time for the trials and difficulties of life to prepare him for the reception of wisdom and higher learning. And you cannot reveal God to those who do not seek for him; you cannot lead unwilling souls into the joys of salvation. In Switzerland Jesus had a day-long talk with both father and son about Buddhism. Gonod asked Jesus a direct question about the Buddha. (Ganid had asked questions and received evasive answers.) But Jesus gave Gonod a direct reply: “Your Buddha was much better than your Buddhism. Buddha was a great man, but early he lost sight of his spiritual Father, the Father in heaven. His experience was tragic. He tried to live and teach as a messenger of God, but without God. His ship ran aground very close to the harbor of salvation. His followers must abandon his philosophy and seize upon his spirit, and then they can enter the harbor.******************* As they neared Terentum the three saw a big bully of a boy beating up a small boy. Jesus quickly intervened and held the bully while the small boy disappeared. That was the end of it, but Ganid wasn’t satisfied. He said Jesus should have punished the bully. Jesus told him justice doesn’t work that way. The government metes out justice. He also said he would defend himself if attacked, no matter the consequences to the attacker. This made more sense to Ganid.
Urantia Book 17. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. When the three reached Rome, Gonod carried greetings for Emperor Tiberius from the princes of India. Tiberius was in a good mood so he chatted pleasantly with them. Later the Emperor remarked to his aide, referring to Jesus,” If I had that fellow’s kingly bearing and gracious manner, I would be a real emperor, eh?” (130.0.1). Due to chronic clinical depression, I was a nihilist during college, but I married a Catholic seminary student. I found myself attracted to his theology books and eventually found my way to Christ. We were both liberals, so there were no arguments between us about religion. So I agree with Tiberius that Jesus is attractive and powerful. Now back to our trio. Gonod had much business to transact in Rome, and Ganid had reached the age where he had to learn his father’s business, so Jesus had whole days to himself. He became thoroughly acquainted with this city of 1 million people. He would often go to the Forum, the center of political, legal and business life. He often went up to the Capitoleum and thought about the ignorance in which these people lived as he admired the temple dedicated to Jupiter, Juno and Minerva. He also frequented Palatine Hill, the location of the emperor’s residence, the temple of Apollo and the Greek and Latin libraries. The Roman Empire at that time occupied all of southern Europe, Asia Minor, Syria, Egypt, and Northwest Africa, including every country of the Eastern Hemisphere. Jesus’ desire to study this mix of people was the chief reason he accepted Gonod’s invitation. One of the most valuable experiences of Jesus’ 6 months in Rome was his contact with and influence on the religious leaders the city. He sought out the leaders of the Cynics, the Stoics and the Mithraic mystery cult. Jesus saw his disciples coming to Rome to preach the Gospel, and thus prepared the leaders of Rome to accept these disciples and their message. So, Jesus spent time with 5 of the leading Stoics, 11 of the Cynics, and 16 of the mystery-cult leaders in intimate association. He seldom met with more than one person to converse with. Never once did he attack their errors or the flaws in their teachings. In each case he would select the truth in what they taught; he would embellish this truth until it crowded out the flaw. These Jesus-taught men and women were thus prepared for the recognition of additional and similar truths in the teachings of the early Christian missionaries. From the teaching of these religious leaders, only 2 did not bear fruit. The others became pivotal individuals in the establishment of Christianity in Rome, and some aided in turning the chief Mithraic temple into the first Christian church of Rome. There were 3 factors of paramount value in setting the stage for the rapid spread of Christianity: “1. The choosing and holding of Simon Peter as an apostle. 2. The talk in Jerusalem with Steven, whose death led to the winning of Saul of Tarsus. 3. The preliminary preparation of these 30 Romans for the subsequent leadership of the new religion in Rome and throughout the Empire”(132.0.5). (Note: These are the writers’ opinions. I believe good roads and trade enabled the spread. Also, when people worship the emperor or a marble statue, there is going to be a sense of disillusionment, and the timing of Christianity was just right in that regard. Jesus spent all night with a Stoic named Angamon, who subsequently became a close friend of Paul. Here is a summary of Jesus’ teaching: “The standard of true values must be looked for in the spiritual world and on divine levels of eternal reality. To an ascending mortal all lower and material standards must be recognized as transient, partial and inferior. The scientist, as such, is limited to the discovery of the relatedness of facts”(132.1.2). Jesus went on to say that if materialism in a society dominates moral insight and spiritual attainment, it will menace civilization. Civilization will collapse if there is no return to spiritual values. The scientist and idealist will always be in conflict unless they have a common standard of high moral and spiritual levels. Both scientists and religionists must recognize that they are on trial before the bar of human need. They must stop fighting long enough to justify their continued survival by enhanced devotion to the service of human progress (UB). ******************* Mardus, the leader of the Cynics in Rome, became a friend to the “scribe of Damascus.” He wanted Jesus’ views on good and evil. Jesus’ views are surprising: “My brother, good and evil are merely words symbolizing relative levels of human comprehension of the observable universe. If you are ethically lazy and socially indifferent, you can take as your standard of good the current social usages. If you are spiritually indolent and morally unprogressive, you may take as your standard of good the religious practices and traditions of your contemporaries. But the soul who survives time and emerges into eternity must make a living and personal choice between good and evil as they are determined by the true values of the spiritual standards established by the divine spirit which the Father in heaven has sent to dwell within the heart of man. This indwelling spirit is the standard of personality survival. Goodness, like truth, is always relative and unfailingly evil-contrasted. An experience is good when it heightens the appreciation of beauty, augments the moral will, enhances the discernment of truth, enlarges the capacity to love and serves one’s fellows, exalts the spiritual ideals, and unifies the supreme human motives of time with the eternal plans of the indwelling Adjuster, all of which lead directly to an increased desire to do the Father’s will, thereby fostering the divine passion to find God and to be more like him”(132.2.1-4). Jesus said that evil per se is not necessary; its only necessary to give man a choice between good and evil. Evil only becomes a reality when a mortal mind makes evil its choice.************** Jesus also conversed with Nabon, a Greek Jew and leader in the Mithraic mystery-cult. Nabon tried to convert Jesus, and the shoe was on the other foot, but Jesus wasn’t buying. Here’s what he said: “Truth cannot be defined with words, only by living. Truth is always more than knowledge. Knowledge pertains to things observed, but truth transcends such purely material levels in that it consorts with wisdom and embraces such imponderables as human experience, even spiritual and living realities. Knowledge originates in science; wisdom in true philosophy; truth, in the religious experience of spiritual living. Knowledge deals with facts; wisdom with relationships; truth, with reality values” (132.3.1-2). The joint creation of the material mind and the indwelling spirit is revealed truth and the supreme delight of the human soul. But everything depends on faith, because man’s thoughts, wisdom, ethics and ideals will not rise higher than his faith. I wouldn’t want to put that to the test!
Urantia Book 16. The life of Jesus of Nazareth, Joshua ben Joseph, Christ Michael, and Sovereign God of the Universe of Nebadon. On their way to Italy, the three stopped at Malta. There Jesus had a conversation with a young man named Claudius, who was depressed and suicidal. After his talk with Jesus, he was determined to face life like a man and start life over again. Later, he joined Peter in Rome, proclaiming the Gospel, and never connecting Jesus with the man who helped him with his depression. During the tour, Jesus told people to call him the “scribe of Damascus.” At Syracuse they spent a full week. The only notable event there was the rehabilitation of Ezra, the keeper of the tavern. Ezra was a backslidden Jew, but he was charmed by Jesus’ approach and asked him for help in returning to the faith of Israel. Ezra said, “I want to be a true son of Abraham, but I cannot find God.” Jesus replied, “If you truly want to find God, that desire is in itself evidence that you have already found him. Your trouble is not that you cannot find God, for the Father has already found you; your trouble is simply that you do not know God. Have you not read in the Prophet Jeremiah, ‘You shall seek me and find me when you search for me with all your heart’? And again, does not this same prophet say; ‘And I will give you a heart to know me, that I am the Lord, and you shall belong to my people, and I will be your God’?…And Ezra found God, and to the satisfaction of his soul. Later, Ezra and a Greek proselyte built the first Christian church in Syracuse” (130.8.2). At Messina Jesus spoke kind words to a boy, and he later became a Christian. At Naples Gonod had much business to transact so Jesus and Ganid went sight-seeing. They saw a lot of poverty, and Ganid was becoming adept at recognizing poverty. On the way to Rome Jesus gave alms to a beggar, but he did not give his usual comforting words of encouragement. This puzzled Ganid. Jesus explained to Ganid, “Why waste words on one who cannot perceive the meaning of what you say? The Spirit of the Father cannot reach and save one who has no capacity for sonship” (130.8.4). What Jesus meant was that the man was not of normal intelligence, that he lacked the ability to respond to spirit leading (UB). Is Jesus being politically incorrect? No, he’s just being realistic. I don’t approve of Bush’s “No child left behind” because it is unrealistic. I had special education students in a regular English class. When they wrote essays, the essays were incomprehensible, and they didn’t understand how to make them better–I couldn’t get them to understand. And they were the nicest students, but their expectations were elevated unfairly by being in regular classes. Their tests were modified so that they ended up with better scores than the regular students. And that’s enough from me.************** While Ganid was in Alexandria, he used translators to help him gather information about all the known religions. He finished the project in Rome. They are as follows: CYNICISM preserved the teachings of Melchizedek. “God is supreme; he is the Most High of heaven and earth. God is the perfected circle of eternity…God knows all…our secrets…God is a peace giver and a faithful protector of all who fear and trust him…we derive wisdom from the contemplation of the Most High…we have no friend like the Most High…God never forgets sincerity. He will guide the honest of heart into the truth, for God is Truth…Poor men and rich men are brothers, God is their Father. The evil you would not have done to you, do not to others…All the worlds and universes worship the Most High…The wise man hungers for the divine embrace” (131.1.1-9). JUDAISM: “In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth and all things therein…The power of the Lord is great and his understanding infinite…The mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon those who fear him and his righteousness even to our children’s children…The heavens declare Gods righteousness and the people have seen his glory…(this is a repeat of the Hebrew scriptures and their eternal truths). BUDDHISM: Ganid was shocked that this religion was so great yet had no God. I’ve read that Buddhism is not a religion. It’s a way of thinking, of training the mind. But some of the earlier strains of Buddhism picked up Melchizedek’s teaching. Ganid chose this passage for his collection: “I have found the approach to the Immortal easy of access. I pray for faith to sustain me on the long journey…I know that faith from beyond will not fail me…By faith let us lay hold upon true righteousness and genuine manliness…sin is despicable…Evil is the path of false doctrines…Those who avoid evil by seeing things as they are gain joy by thus embracing the truth…Those who are sure of salvation are forever free from lust, envy, hatred and the delusions of wealth….Injustice done to your fellows shall come back upon you. The creature cannot escape the destiny of his deeds. He is the greatest of warriors who overcomes and subdues himself…The unselfish go to heaven, where they rejoice in the bliss of infinite liberality and continue to increase in noble generosity” (131.3.1-7). HINDUISM: Melchizedek’s teachings of the One God became embedded in the doctrines of this religion. “He is the great God, in every way Supreme. He is the creator and controller of the universe of universes. God is one God; he is alone and by himself; he is the only one. And this one God is our Maker and the last destiny of our soul…We worship him…God is the sure refuge of every good man when in need; the Immortal One cares for all mankind…The Lord even counts the ceaseless winking of every mortal’s eyes; and we worship this divine Being as our inseparable companion…Make prayer your inmost friend and worship your soul’s Support. ‘If you will but worship me in love,’ says the Eternal, ‘I will give you the wisdom to attain me, for my worship is common to all creatures’… God is our lover, our father, our brother and friend. And we long to know this God in our inner being. Man’s friends of the flesh cannot survive death; virtue alone walks by man’s side as he journeys ever onward toward the gladsome and sunlit fields of Paradise” (131.4.1-8). ZOROASTRIANISM was another religion studied by Ganid, but, aside from Judaism, no religion of that day contained more of Melchizedek’s teachings; there’s no need to repeat it here. This is also true of Jainism, so we will skip that and go to the Shinto religion of Japan. The passage Ganid chose is unusual because it is in the 1st person and it must be Jesus speaking. He says,”Since the olden people did not know my name, I manifested myself by being born into the world as a visible existence and endured such abasement even that man should not forget my name…I am the ruler of all creatures on land and in the four seas. Although I am great and supreme, still I have regard for the prayer of the poorest man”(131.7.2). This is a very odd passage to be found in a religious doctrine. The missionaries of Melchizedek were spreading the doctrine of the One God, not the Christian doctrine, and, although they went as far east as was possible, they lived in a time period centuries before Jesus or even David and the prophets. TAOISM: This religion won first place among the competing monotheistic religions in China. Ganid recorded the following: “How pure and tranquil is the Supreme One, and yet how powerful and mighty, how deep and unfathomable. This God of heaven is the honored ancestor of all things. If you know the Eternal, you are enlightened and wise. If you know not the Eternal, then does ignorance manifest itself as evil, and thus do the passions of sin arise. He is indeed the world’s mother, and all creation moves around him. A wise man universalizes his heart. A little knowledge is a dangerous thing. Those who aspire to greatness must learn to humble themselves…If you love people, they will draw near you–you will have no difficulty in winning them. You cannot find the Supreme, neither can you go to a place where he is not”(131.8.1-5). According to the UB, Confucianism is “the least God-recognizing of the world’s great religions.” But its practitioners responded to the missionarys’ doctrine about the One God. Ganid recorded the following, which had been incorporated into the doctrines of Confucianism:”What heaven appoints is without error. Truth is real and divine…Heaven has appointed subordinates to assist in the instruction and uplifting of inferior creatures…This Great God has conferred a moral sense even on many inferior people…We do well when we call the Great Heaven our Father and Mother. If we are thus servants of our divine ancestors, then may we in confidence pray to Heaven. God is with us; therefore we have no fear in our hearts…When you find yourself in the wrong, do not hesitate to confess your error and be quick to make amends. To attain the perfection of Heaven is the goal of man. What you do not like done to yourself, do not do to others” (131.9.1-4).* Ganid added another religion which he called OUR RELIGION. This was a summary of Jesus’ teachings to Ganid. I’m sure we don’t know everything Jesus taught Ganid, but we know Jesus’ teachings, so I will give a brief summary: “The Lord our God is one Lord, and you should love Him with all your mind and heart, while you do your best to love all His children as you love yourself…God dwells in every human soul through His Spirit…We cannot search out God by knowledge, but we can know Him in our hearts by personal experience. When men begin to feel after God, that is evidence that God has found them. Practice the worship of God by doing the will of God on earth. Thank God everyday for His unspeakable gifts” (131.10.1-6).****************************** It sounds like Melchizedek and his missionaries taught some items that I learned in the Urantia Book. For example, he didn’t teach them about the Universal Father, the First Person of the Trinity and ultimate creator of all things. Rather he taught them about the Most High, the 3 rulers of the Constellation Norlatiadek. He thought that would make it simpler for people (he didn’t tell them there were 3). Also there are many references to the Supreme. This is the Supreme Being, an experiencial God who grows by experiencing all of life. There are many Gods, the Gods of the Trinity being best known. But Jesus is not a God of the Trinity. He was born as a Creator Son, whose purpose is to rule a local universe. The Trinity consists of the Universal Father, the Eternal Son and the Infinite Spirit. Our Holy Spirit is a daughter of the Infinite Spirit and she is the partner in creation of the Creator Son, God of Nebadon, Christ Michael. She is also called the Mother Spirit because she gives life to the inert DNA put on planets by the Life Carriers. Also there was mention of more than one universe. There are 7 superuniverses, each with thousands of local universes. I hope this isn’t too wild. The Urantia Book is available on Amazon for $10.
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The Good Guys and the Bad Guys 