Standing our Ground

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By far the most popular page on UBLightofTruth.com is “Urantia: Caligastia’s prison World.” This was posted in mid-February 2021 and still gets lots of hits. It discusses Caligastia, our former Planetary Prince who, about 200,000 years ago joined a rebellion against universe authority. Jesus defeated Caligastia over 2,000 years ago, but our fallen Planetary Prince, who is invisible to mortals, was allowed to remain free on our planet. Some questions not addressed in the previous posting are: why has it taken so long to remove effects of the rebellion? And, why must citizens of Earth decide between Jesus and Caligastia?

We look into these questions by discussing the introduction of sin into our world by the revolution, what is special about being an evolutionary planet, and the wisdom of delay. We conclude by evaluating the vital importance of our free will decisions.

Introduction of Sin

Evil is inherent in the natural order of this world, but sin is an attitude of conscious rebellion which was brought to this world by those who fell from spiritual light into gross darkness.[1]

Before discussing the introduction of sin into planet Earth a brief comparison of evil, sin, and iniquity is necessary. Evil is an unconscious going against God’s law, sin is a knowing deliberate going against God’s law, while iniquity is persistently going against God’s law.[2]

When committing evil, the individual does not know any better. On a young evolutionary world that has not been visited by higher truth, evil would be a common occurrence, the natural state. Later Caligastia arrived on planet Earth introducing higher values to our distant ancestors, and for about 300,000 years he did that effectively.

Our planet is located in the system Satania, when complete each system will have about 1,000 inhabited planets; we are planet 606 in our system. About 200,000 years ago our System Sovereign, Lucifer, declared rebellion against the Heavenly Father and universe authority; 38 Planetary Princes, including our Caligastia, quickly joined the rebellion. This premeditated rebellion against the universe government introduced sin to Earth. The higher truths were soon replaced by sin, deliberate transgression of God’s law.

Later Adam and Eve arrived to reintroduce higher truth but they defaulted on their mission; sin was allowed to spread. Later Machiventa Melchizedek fostered advanced truth; he was followed by our Creator Son Michael, whom we know as Jesus. Awareness of these truths is slowly growing, but sin is still strong in our materialistic society.

Component Units of Material Creation

In The Urantia Book, one paragraph in Paper 35[3] is especially relevant to this discussion. This is part of a discussion concerning Lanonandek Sons; the primary Lanonandeks are system rulers such as Lucifer, while the secondary ones are Planetary Princes such a Caligastia. The discussion in this section is based on this paragraph.

Evolutionary planets such as Urantia are the primary units of creation; it is on such planets that beings with free will dignity[4] appear as a result of an evolutionary process: humans such as us. Our Heavenly Father and all who are loyal to Him absolutely respect spiritual free will. Once human beings with free will appear on a planet, the primary focus becomes nurturing and guiding these beings; in the vast majority of worlds, mortals with free will are lovingly guided toward higher truth. Interfering with an individual’s free will decisions is contrary to the will of our Heavenly Father; it is sin.

When a Planetary Prince rebels against universe government, replacement rulers are appointed but they do not take office immediately. First the effects of the rebellion must be at least partially overcome. This is done by the Melchizedeks and others working to introduce higher truth. The appearance of our Urantia Book was part of this process for us. Our native planet obviously is nowhere near to being ready for a resident Planetary Prince because there is way too much evil and outright sin; reading news reports is a daily description of the inhumanity of humanity.

When a Planetary Prince goes into rebellion, all communication to and from his planet is cut off; prior to this it is possible to send messages to other inhabited planets and higher government. Once these lanes are cut, it takes a bestowal Son like Jesus to restore them and such a Son would only come after there has been stabilization in planetary affairs. For this to happen, a vast majority of Earth citizens would have to support Michael, our universe creator.

Before the rebellion can be terminated on Urantia, the majority of its citizens must choose to follow Michael, our Creator Son. We must work to combat the sin that was deliberately introduced by those who rebelled against our Heavenly Father. Every mortal on this planet must choose; even those who are unaware of extra-planetary affairs must choose between good and evil. The rebellion will be ended when we make these choices, when each of us makes such a choice.

Wisdom of Delay

The Lucifer rebellion, and Caligastia’s involvement on Urantia, took place about 200,000 years ago; to us that seems like an awfully long time. It is difficult for us to understand why it has been allowed to last so long. Our revelation devotes an entire section to explain this: “The Wisdom of Delay.”[5] Following is a condensation of this discussion.

Mercy is a primary characteristic of our Heavenly Father; mercy requires time for wrongdoers and those affected by their evil to make a final decision whether to accept or reject the mercy offered them. We are each given whatever time we need to make a final decision. Our Heavenly Father’s patient mercy requires time to unfold. This time-bound mercy allows the sinner to realize a mistake was made and accept salvation.

Since we live on a world where sin was deliberately introduced by rebels, each of us has been affected by their iniquitous actions and each of us must choose between good and evil.

If the rebellion were terminated too soon, sympathy could remain in the hearts of other citizens; every creature has to come to a firm decision about the rebellion, otherwise simmering sympathy is likely. Frequently, after wars on Earth there is a strong feeling of rage among the defeated; this is especially true in the Mid-East. These festering emotions can last decades or even centuries.

The Universe Mother Spirit proclaimed that the rebellion must not be hidden or half cured. She directed the angels to work for full disclosure and unlimited opportunity for sin-expression as the quickest technique of achieving the perfect and final cure of the plague of evil and sin.[6] If sin is not allowed to be freely expressed, it will still be in the mind of some individuals, a growing menace. Our society has many who harbor strong silent emotions which could erupt into violent acts.

Those in universe authority were advised to permit the rebellion to take its full and natural course, even if it should require a million years to wind up the consequences.[7] Unexpressed violent thoughts cannot be dealt with; only when they are expressed can they be countered. Citizens of Urantia have been immersed in the consequences of iniquity for so long that it seems to be the normal way of life. Each of us must choose.

Free will Decisions

Our ability to make spiritual free will decisions is more than a God given right, it actually defines who we are; we can freely choose between good and evil. We can choose between the way of eternal life and the way of sin. Each choice has consequences.

If we steadfastly select righteousness, then sin is somewhat reduced. The deliberate introduction of sin to Earth requires each individual affected to make the decision between good and evil. Those so affected include every mortal born on planet Earth until sin has been fully restrained, which naturally will take a very long time.

Our message is to begin a discussion about choosing good, thereby working for the time when Urantia will no longer harbor rebels against universe authority; when this happens, this will no longer be Caligastia’s prison world, because he and all his followers will have been obliterated. It will be as if they never existed.

Each one of us has to stand steadfast and make the righteous decision.

[1] The Urantia Book, the one column version page.paragraph. 1660.5; all references are to The Urantia Book.

[2] 1660.2-4

[3] 394.1

[4] 138.4

[5] 617.1-618.3

[6] 617.11

[7] 618.1

Sun Through the Fog

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Our native planet, Urantia, is teeming with materialism, greed, and sin. One of the reasons for this is the Lucifer Rebellion against universe authority which our Planetary Prince, Caligastia, joined about 200,000 years ago. Caligastia remains free on our planet to create mischief even though he has been defeated by our Creator Son Michael, whom we know as Jesus. The reason Caligastia remains here is basically a lesson in mercy and a test of our faith.

While wrongdoing is always deleterious to a family, wisdom and love admonish the upright children to bear with an erring brother during the time granted by the affectionate father in which the sinner may see the error of his way and embrace salvation. (Urantia Book, 617.5)

We find no one specific reference detailing why Caligastia remains free to roam over Urantia; however, there are clear indications why this is the case. Caligastia deliberately introduced sin to our planet;^[1] when this happens there are consequences both to the being who introduced the sin and those who received the sin, all mortal inhabitants of Urantia. These consequences need to be investigated and understood.

Caligastia could have been detained

There are several times when our rebellious Planetary Prince, Caligastia, could have been detained on one of the prison worlds. The reason he is free to roam over our planet is discussed below.

Most of those involved in the Lucifer Rebellion have been imprisoned on the satellites of the Father’s world at Jerusem, the capital of our local system, Satania.^[2] When these beings were detained, our Planetary Prince Caligastia could also have been detained there.

Jesus went alone to Mount Hermon and while there he defeated Lucifer and Caligastia; Lucifer was represented by his assistant Satan. And when Jesus came down from his sojourn on Mount Hermon, the Lucifer rebellion in Satania and the Caligastia secession on Urantia were virtually settled.^[3] Caligastia was limited to our world and defeated, but he was not placed in confinement. At this time Michael was proclaimed our Planetary Prince, but he has not yet acted in this role.

Later Machiventa Melchizedek was proclaimed Vicegerent Planetary Prince;^[4] he also has not taken any actions in this role.

When the case of Gabriel vs. Lucifer started on Uversa, Satan who prior to that time had been permitted to periodically visit planets in rebellion, was permanently detained on the prison world along with Lucifer and other rebels. Again, Caligastia and his assistants were allowed to roam free all over our planet.

In effect Urantia is Caligastia’s prison world and we are trustees who can either cooperate with authority (the Most Highs who rule in the affairs of humanity) or side with the prisoners (Caligastia and his followers). Each of us must choose between good and evil; either way there are consequences.

Similar cases

When our Planetary Prince declared his rebellion, those loyal to Michael were led by Van, a member of the prince’s corporeal staff; these were beings appearing similar to mortals of that era but were ascendant mortals from our system capital and had ongoing life. When the rebellion was declared communication from outside the planet was cut off. The planet was isolated. For seven years discussions took place led by Van until every personality concerned, all super mortal beings, made their decision which side they were on: Michael and the universal government, or the rebel Caligastia. When everyone had so decided the Melchizedeks arrived and arranged the super-mortal government.^[5]

In this case, outside assistance only came after all those involved had made a decision between good and evil. Mortals of the realm 200,000 years ago had no awareness of any government beyond the tribe so they were not then involved. When sin is introduced into any system, all those affected in any way must choose between good and evil.

When the Lucifer Rebellion took place, 607 planets had Planetary Princes; of these thirty-eight went into rebellion. On one planet, Panoptia, the inhabitants led by Ellanora (who was guided by the Melchizedeks), defeated their Planetary Prince and refused to go into rebellion. Ever since this time ascendant mortals from this planet are awarded by being given special tasks by Michael.^[6]

Inhabitants of this planet are given important and interesting jobs because they defeated their rebellious Planetary Prince. They as a planet made their choice between good and evil, as a result they are all rewarded.

Based on these examples, when rebellion is introduced into any system all those affected must choose between universe government and rebellion. Unlike mortals of 200,000 years ago, today we have widespread communication; practically speaking most of us get the news and are aware of good things or bad things happening all around. Even those who are isolated from society or in a remote wilderness must make decisions based on what is best for the world they know. Each of us has to make that moral choice, declare where we stand.

Wisdom of Delay

In the event of rebellion on a system headquarters, a new sovereign is usually installed within a comparatively short time, but not so on the individual planets. They are the component units of the material creation, and creature free will is a factor in the final adjudication of all such problems. Successor Planetary Princes… do not assume active rulership of such worlds until the results of insurrection are partially overcome and removed by the remedial measures adopted by the Melchizedeks and other ministering personalities.^[7]

It is “creature free will” that determines when the replacement Planetary Prince will arrive on Urantia. We the inhabitants of Earth must decide where we stand, with Michael or with Lucifer and Caligastia. Only when this has taken place will the communication lines open and our Vicegerent Planetary Prince, Machiventa Melchizedek, take over the government of our native sphere.

One section of our revelation, The Urantia Book, covers reasons for this delay; this is titled “The Wisdom of Delay.”^[8] Twelve reasons for delaying response to rebellion are listed; we are told that on Uversa forty-eight reasons are taught.

Mercy requires that every wrongdoer have sufficient time in which to formulate a deliberate and fully chosen attitude regarding his evil thoughts and sinful acts. (Urantia Book, 617.2) We are not inherently evil, but because we live on a planet in rebellion we must live with the consequences of that rebellion. It would be the same if we were part of a family when a brother or sister did something very bad; the family life would be disrupted until the situation was fully resolved. Our Father’s creation is based on love, mercy, and forgiveness; this requires time to unfold.

Michael, our local universe Creator Son, was counseled to remain aloof from the rebels and allow rebellion to pursue a natural course of self-obliteration. (Urantia Book, 617.8) Since the rebellion had no support from outside the system of Satania it could not succeed regardless of how much time would be required for it to fail.

The Constellation Fathers, the Most Highs, were advised to allow the rebels free course to the end that all sympathy for these evildoers should be the sooner uprooted in the hearts of every present and future citizen of Norlatiadek — every mortal, morontia, or spirit creature.^[9] Every mortal in the entire constellation must choose between Michael and Lucifer, between God’s way and evil, between true liberty and false liberty. Only when that happens will all the evil resulting from this rebellion be eradicated.

Michael’s chief executive, Gabriel, was counseled to promote full opportunity for every living creature to mature a deliberate choice in those matters involved in the Lucifer Declaration of Liberty.^[10] Again, every living creature must make a deliberate choice between righteousness and rebellion.

The angels were directed to work for full disclosure and unlimited opportunity for sin-expression as the quickest technique of achieving the perfect and final cure of the plague of evil and sin.^[11] The quickest way to root out such evil is to allow an “unlimited opportunity for sin-expression.” This is not what we expect angels to be doing! The idea is not to artificially repress such evil, because it would only make matters worse; rather they were to allow the expression of sin to take place so it would eventually run out of steam.

It is because of these requirements for mercy that every mortal on Urantia must make a decision in the matter of Michael vs. Lucifer; every mortal must choose to follow God’s will or the lies of Lucifer. By choosing God’s will we defeat the lies of Caligastia and we defeat Caligastia. Only after this has taken place with every mortal on Earth can our planet become fully a part of the communication network of the system and the universe.

We cannot expect angels to appear in the sky and deliver us from this evil place; it is up to each one of us to make the decision. We must remember that in all things, we are not alone in the struggle.

Discern the signs of the times

When must this decision be made? Once we become aware of the necessity of making such a decision, the best option would certainly be to choose instantly. Most of our sisters and brothers are not aware of the necessity of such a decision, what about them? Twice Jesus instructed the Apostles they should be aware of the signs of the times.^[12] We must use faith to discern the signs of our time and they are certainly troubling. Today materialism, greed, excessive telling of lies, acts of violence, hatred against sisters and brothers because of some superficial characteristic, as well as a deeply polarized society declare we are heading into troublous times.

Because of this, the time is rapidly approaching when it will be imperative to inform sisters and brothers of the necessity of making that eternal choice, declaring where each one of us stands: righteousness or sin, God or Lucifer, eternal existence or soul death.

1. 1660.5, all references are to the one column edition of The Urantia Book in the format page.paragraph ↑

2. 510.8-9 ↑

3. 1494.2 ↑

4. 514.6 ↑

5. 756.1 ↑

6. 607.2 ↑

7. 394.1 ↑

8. 617.1-618.3 ↑

9. 617.9 ↑

10. 617.10 ↑

11. 617.11 ↑

12. 1744.4, 1915.3 ↑

Spring Hope

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Things have changed around our house, as it has for many of us. A month ago we were a household of two with one cat. Then two family members were rescued from Palm Beach County, not a place to be during these times. Now there are four of us and two cats; I spend a significant amount of time being gate keeper for cats.

A discussion of the place of faith in our life is important in difficult times such as now. Faith can be a great comfort; it also can become a dangerous crutch. When faith ignores science, the consequence can be unfortunate.

In these times of anxiety over global pandemic, faith can be a comforting presence, but what does this mean? How should faith motivate us in these troubling times? Faith must be a driving force in our life at any time, even more so when we are in distress as today. Faith should be the bedrock of our existence, but must be based on spiritual reality. We must not presume Heavenly Father will allow us to flaunt faith, expecting Him to protect us from whatever misdeeds we might perpetrate.

Most of the country is under some sort of stay-at-home directive; the goal of which is to minimize spread of this deadly disease. There is scientific evidence isolation does in fact help curb the spread of this virus. Stay-at-home orders are a sensible method to lessen the severity of this deadly pandemic; such orders are based upon sound science from many places around the globe.

In Lodi, California, where there was a mandatory stay-at-home order, one pastor held religious services anyway, and was arrested after the services. We saw a report interviewing the faithful as they left the service. Many of them said they were “protected by the blood of Jesus.” They were confident and unanimous in their faith that Jesus would protect them from harm. Let us pray they are correct. The issue is about not only protecting ourself, but also those around us. One unsuspecting infected individual in that service could infect dozens of others who would spread it even farther. That is exactly what happened in South Korea. At least one infected person, identified as “patient 31,” attended a gathering at Shincheonji Church of Jesus, and infected others, this quickly grew to thousands. South Korea, a democracy, issued and enforced mandatory stay-at-home orders, the spread was minimized.

Jesus said we are to render to Caesar that which is Caesar’s;^[1] he was talking about taxes, but this directive would also apply to laws, which we must obey. This especially applies when such laws are based on science and aimed at protecting public health. To do otherwise would be placing one’s own wishes above health and safety of sisters and brothers.

When religious people base their faith on a set of dogma, they are in danger of limiting themselves to only what that dogma proclaims. Sometimes this even neglects reasonable scientific considerations, as we saw above. Since everyone is indwelt by a spark of Heavenly Father,^[2] faith can be a personal relationship with Him. The bedrock of faith should be the conviction Father is with us. Father will protect us as long we follow spiritual reality. If we presume to be somehow above others, we have not true faith.

Truth is living; the Spirit of Truth is ever leading the children of light into new realms of spiritual reality and divine service. You are not given truth to crystallize into settled, safe, and honored forms. (Urantia Book 1917.3) When truth becomes crystallized dogma, it has lost its vitality.

Everyone is equally indwelt by an actual spark of Heavenly Father. This means He is always with us, guiding us, and showing the way. He is “no respecter of persons.”^[3] Father respects everybody equally; we all stand equal before Him.

Belief becomes faith only after it motivates our lives and changes our way of life. This faith is a living and personal religious experience.^[4] When we have this personal experience, when we dedicate ourselves to following God’s will in thoughts, actions, and deeds, we know God and His love for each of us. In his life among us, Jesus attained the highest realization of this as a human being living on our planet. Jesus was born a mortal struggling to understand his surroundings just as everyone born on this orb or on any other in this local universe. He was on his own, and by the strength of his will and faith, he found God; and so can we if we make his faith our faith.

Jesus personified personal religious experience, and this shone forth in his life. The religion of Jesus is all about each believer having an individual relationship with God. It is truly that simple, and that difficult.

When an individual has faith there may not be any obvious indication; if they truly do have faith they cannot consciously prove it.^[5] The only way faith can be demonstrated is first, fruits of the spirit are shown in their life,^[6] and second their entire life shows they have risked everything they are and everything they have in pursuit of finding God in their own life.^[7] Fruits of spirit include sincere and loving service working to uplift people in darkness.^[8] In times such as this, we manifest fruits of the spirit in joyful service to family, friends, and neighbors.

Society must become more aware of spiritual reality; however this may take a major event. We need something to make us aware of the need for all citizens to seek a more spiritual existence; this spark may be anything: a major war, riots in the streets, a pandemic, an economic collapse, or perhaps a spiritual awakening. People need to become aware of their eternal spiritual possibilities, what will be in store for them if they reach out to grasp eternal goals and seek spiritual reality.

Kingdom builders… are not to be disturbed by temporal upheavals or perturbed by terrestrial cataclysms. What does it matter to you who believe this gospel of the kingdom if nations overturn, the age ends, or all things visible crash, since you know that your life is the gift of the Son, and that it is eternally secure in the Father?^[9] (Urantia Book 1916.2)

We pray for peace, love, harmony, and guidance. We pray health care workers, government officials, and others on the front lines of this pandemic will find courage, strength, and moral fortitude to do the right thing. We pray those who have lost loved ones will have time to grieve, remember, and move on.

Be safe.

1. All references are to The Urantia Book unless otherwise noted, 1899.2, this refers to page:paragraph of the one column edition; and Bible, Matthew 22:21, also appears in Mark and Luke. ↑

2. Bible, I Corinthians 3:16 ↑

3. Bible, Acts 10:34 ↑

4. 1114.5 ↑

5. 1733.2 ↑

6. 1733.3 ↑

7. 1733.4 ↑

8. 1930.3 ↑

9. 1916.2 ↑

Immigration is much in the news recently, especially in the political arena; we examine this issue from the perspective of faith; how does faith enter into the immigration discussion?

When we hear people of faith expressing political views it is generally the religious right speaking about fundamentalist faith, a narrow view excluding those of differing faiths. I have been to a fundamental Baptist Church where the preacher looked directly at me and thundered “Those who do not know Jesus will burn in Hell.” (He and his parents are excellent people; they have helped Betty and me in many ways without asking anything in return.) In their stagnated view anybody with a differing faith will not resurrect. The Urantia Book presents a broader, more inclusive prospective; a cosmic prospective.

The Bible talks much about love; which is used 131 times in the Old Testament and 176 times in the New Testament. The word “Love” is used a total of 307 times in the Bible (King James edition). The phrase “God is love” is used twice in First John Chapter 4. How does this correlate with a narrow viewpoint excluding anybody? Since He has created all things, all planets, all creatures, how can a God of love be reconciled with the existence of Hell? The Urantia Book teaches us everyone will have life eternal once they have made a final decision to do God’s will.

Also there are politicians who seek to exclude those who are not like them in some arbitrary manner, who have a different religion, a different ethnicity or a different sexual orientation. These politicians inflame passions of voters who have been disenfranchised and left behind by a changing society; politicians do this solely to get themselves elected and reelected to political office. They have little regard for the damage they do to the fabric of society and to those they seek to exclude from their nation.

Exclusionary and anti-immigrant trends promoted by politicians are even seeping into our nation, which was founded on and grows stronger as a result of a fresh influx of immigrants. The first wave was the European people, whose immigration started in 1607, pushing back the Native Americans; it continued relentlessly until the true Americans became but a ghost of their former state. There have been many other waves, one was the peoples imported from Africa starting in 1619, another was the Irish who started arriving in 1846, the Asians started in the 1850’s, followed by the Italians in 1890. Our native land has historically been and currently is founded on and rejuvenated by fresh waves of immigrants. The only truly Native American is the Red race which has been marginalized nearly to extinction; everyone else is an immigrant or a descendant of immigrants.

Our political environment is clouded by many unsavory undercurrents. How can The Urantia Book clarify this situation? What does it teach us?

The creator of all life in our universe, Michael whom we know as Jesus, lived as a mortal on our planet; his purpose was to reveal to his universe the nature of our Heavenly Father and to reveal to God the best that humans can become. He chose our planet, known as Urantia in universe records, partially because it had been previously betrayed by its leader, our planetary prince who had joined a rebellion against universe authority. As a mortal human being Jesus defeated our rebellious planetary prince, Caligastia. This fallen planetary prince is now confined to our planet but he is free to move about and work mischief; he and those working with him are invisible to mortal vision. There are many signs in current society indicating his dark forces at work, for example the rise of authoritarian leaders and the decrease in basic human rights in many countries.

There is a progressive element to faith that is interested in immigrant rights and there are signs this element of our religious community is becoming more active; for example at the last Democratic national convention, Rev. William Barber said: “Jesus, a brown-skinned Palestinian Jew, called us to preach good news to the poor, the broken, the bruised, and all those who are made to feel unaccepted!”^[1]

Betty and I attended Rev. Barber’s church, Greenleaf Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Greenleaf, NC on Father’s Day 2019; Betty grew up in the Christian Church in Tennessee. This church is the most welcoming and joyous church I have ever attended. When the service was over I had no idea that about three hours had passed. Rev. Barber was in Washington that day, but the feeling of energy and love in his church was powerful.

Jesus was all about inclusion, for example he started the women’s corps,^[2] he talked to the Samaritan woman Nalda to the consternation of the apostles,^[3] and Jesus taught we should love our sisters and brothers.^[4] Our Heavenly Father treats everyone equally; he is no respecter of persons^[5] and He is love.^[6]

The Urantia Book has many references to the love of God, for example at the Last Supper Jesus said: If you will only love one another as I am loving you, you shall be my friends…. (Urantia Book 1944.6)

When Jesus was just over one year old he became a refugee in Alexandria.^[7] What if Pharaoh had the same view of immigrants as modern day politicians? Immigrants contribute to our government by paying a portion of their wages into Social Security without any chance they will be able to receive benefits and they willingly accept jobs others are unwilling to take. We need immigrants.

The major target of those promoting exclusion are potential immigrants fleeing persecution in their native lands. That is exactly why the original settlers from England and the rest of Europe came to America in the first place starting over four hundred years ago, that is the foundation of our democracy. Now American demagogues seek to exclude these people from our nation; they would even exclude their own ancestors for political gain.

There are at least ten references in the Bible about helping strangers;^[8] “You shall not oppress a sojourner. You know the heart of a sojourner, for you were sojourners in the land of Egypt”^[9] and “Let brotherly love continue. Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers, for thereby some have entertained angels unawares.”^[10]

Fresh immigrants are needed to keep our society functioning smoothly.

Finally there is this thought, thousands of children have been forcibly taken from their parent’s custody and placed in cages. Imagine what effect this devastating trauma has on these young minds and growing bodies. The terrorists of tomorrow are being educated in these inhumane conditions.

The love of God must be allowed to inform our political discussions and actions.

What we need now is love.

1. https://www.npr.org/2019/01/24/684435743/provoked-by-trump-the-religious-left-is-finding-its-voice Retrieved 8/18/19 ↑

2. All references are to The Urantia Book unless otherwise noted. The number refers to the single column version in the format page.paragraph; 1683.5 for example ↑

3. 1614.3, also Bible: John, Chapter 4, especially verse 27 ↑

4. 1949.1 ↑

5. 1958.1 ↑

6. 1782.2 for example ↑

7. 1354.3; Bible: Mathew 2:13 ↑

8. https://www.christiantoday.com/article/welcoming-the-stranger-in-our-midst-10-bible-verses/104300.htm Retrieved 8/18/19 ↑

9. Exodus 23:9 and 22:21 ↑

10. Hebrews 13: 1-2 ↑

As WE Pass By

Being fully human Jesus had emotions just as we have them. For example when addressing believers in Zebedee’s house (father of the apostles James and John) he was unusually cheerful. When it became time to part with the apostles the “sorrow of love” placed a great strain on his human heart. He certainly felt love and compassion toward Mary his mother. At the tomb of Lazarus he wept. Indeed he experienced the full range of human emotions from joy to good humor and on to sorrow and grief, but he was a child of joy; his frequent exhortation was “be of good cheer” just as today we might say “be happy.”

Jesus was indeed a mortal until the day of his baptism in the Jordan River when the divine portion of his career began. After this event he was in full communication with his Thought Adjuster (also called adjuster, the spark of God within everyone) who had been personalized after the baptism by John and was now a separate personality. This dual nature of Jesus gives his life story such power and makes it spiritually compelling.

The personality of Jesus was such that all manner of people were drawn to him. Many of the apostles were manly fishermen and such individuals would not be drawn to the mystical type of person generally depicted in our artwork. His personality was perfected by his decisions and by faithfully following the advice of his adjuster.

The personality of Jesus was such that it appealed to all manner of people, from educated intellectuals to sturdy Roman soldiers to Galilean fishermen. He was totally sincere and interested in each individual he met; he fully loved each individual, this showed in his interactions with every person; he loved people so much because he placed a high value upon them.

His personality was such that people were comfortable when they were with him. Though they called him Rabbi, they were learning not to be afraid of him. Jesus possessed that matchless grace of personality which enabled him so to live among them that they were not dismayed by his divinity. They found it really easy to be “friends with God,” God incarnate in the likeness of mortal flesh (Urantia Book1534.1). They immediately respected him and called him Rabbi even though he had no formal training. It was and still is easy to be friends with him.

This is a vital point; it is easy to be friends with God. He is our closest, most intimate friend; He truly knows us and loves us. He knows our value, our unique personality and the contributions we can make as we grow in spiritual awareness and service. It is easy to be friends with God.

The greatest proof of the mortal nature of Jesus is his humiliation and crucifixion. He was tried unfairly, beaten and dealt an ignominious death at the hands of religious zealots but he maintained his dignity and composure throughout.

The most compelling indication of his distinctive character was when Pontius Pilot gestured toward him and proclaimed: “Behold the man!”

Jesus the human being with his unshakable faith in God is a compelling image for mortals struggling with a hostile environment of materialism and greed, but Christianity forsook the human Jesus in its glorification of him as the divine Christ. After the emotions connected with Pentecost, Jesus became a religion and his human aspects were largely ignored. While the glorified Christ is truly a noble story it neglects the human Jesus. We must not lose sight of this human Jesus because he is our brother as well as our creator.

We must now figuratively resurrect the human Jesus from the tomb where his mortal struggles were buried underneath the theological traditions and religious dogmas of more than two thousand years. These traditions do portray a splendid concept of the Christ, but they do not speak to our human efforts and needs. The religious authorities who put Jesus to death were mired in tradition and dogma just as many current religious leaders are. The revelation of The Urantia Book was given to us at this time so we who seek righteousness can bring a breath of fresh air into the religious community today; we should seek God’s guidance in bringing this truth forward.How unfortunate that religion itself should be so misinterpreted as to take the human Jesus away from struggling mortals! Let not the discussions of the humanity or the divinity of the Christ obscure the saving truth that Jesus of Nazareth was a religious man who, by faith, achieved the knowing and the doing of the will of God; he was the most truly religious man who has ever lived on Urantia. (Urantia Book 2090.2) (The universe name of our planet is Urantia.)