The Urantia Book
PAPER 28
MINISTERING SPIRITS OF THE
SUPERUNIVERSES
Sponsored by a Mighty Messenger of Uversa.
28:0.1 AS THE supernaphim are the angelic
hosts of the central universe and the seraphim of the local
universes, so are the seconaphim the ministering spirits of the
superuniverses. In degree of divinity and in potential of
supremacy, however, these children of the Reflective Spirits are
much more like supernaphim than seraphim. They serve not alone
in the supercreations, and both numerous and intriguing are the
transactions sponsored by their unrevealed associates.
28:0.2 As presented in these narratives, the
ministering spirits of the superuniverses embrace the following
three orders:
1. The Seconaphim.
2. The Tertiaphim.
3. The Omniaphim.
28:0.3 Since the latter two orders are not so
directly concerned with the ascendant scheme of mortal
progression, they will be briefly discussed prior to the more
extended consideration of seconaphim. Technically, neither
tertiaphim nor omniaphim are ministering spirits of the
superuniverses, though both serve as spirit ministers in
these domains.
1. THE TERTIAPHIM
28:1.1 These high angels are of record on the
superuniverse headquarters, and despite service in the local
creations, technically they are residents of these superuniverse
capitals inasmuch as they are not native to the local universes.
Tertiaphim are children of the Infinite Spirit and are
personalized on Paradise in groups of one thousand. These
supernal beings of divine originality and near-supreme
versatility are the gift of the Infinite Spirit to the Creator
Sons of God.
28:1.2 When a Michael Son is detached from the
parental regime of Paradise and is made ready to go forth on the
universe adventure of space, the Infinite Spirit is delivered of
a group of one thousand of these companion spirits. And these
majestic tertiaphim accompany this Creator Son when he embarks
upon the adventure of universe organization.
28:1.3 Throughout the early times of universe
building, these one thousand tertiaphim are the only personal
staff of a Creator Son. They acquire a mighty experience as Son
assistants during these stirring ages of universe assembling and
other astronomical manipulations. They serve by the side of the
Creator Son until the day of the personalization of the Bright
and Morning Star, the first-born of a local universe. Thereupon
the formal resignations of the tertiaphim are tendered and
accepted. And with the appearance of the initial orders of
native angelic life, they retire from active service in the
local universe and become the liaison ministers between the
Creator Son of former attachment and the Ancients of Days of the
superuniverse concerned.
2. THE OMNIAPHIM
28:2.1 Omniaphim are created by the Infinite
Spirit in liaison with the Seven Supreme Executives, and they
are the exclusive servants and messengers of these same Supreme
Executives. Omniaphim are of grand universe assignment, and in
Orvonton their corps maintains headquarters in the northerly
parts of Uversa, where they reside as a special courtesy colony.
They are not of registry on Uversa, nor are they attached to our
administration. Neither are they directly concerned with the
ascendant scheme of mortal progression.
28:2.2 The omniaphim are wholly occupied with
the oversight of the superuniverses in the interests of
administrative co-ordination from the viewpoint of the Seven
Supreme Executives. Our colony of omniaphim on Uversa receives
instructions from, and makes reports to, only the Supreme
Executive of Orvonton, situated on conjoint executive sphere
number seven in the outer ring of Paradise satellites.
3. THE SECONAPHIM
28:3.1 The secoraphic hosts are produced by
the seven Reflective Spirits assigned to the headquarters of
each superuniverse. There is a definite Paradise-responsive
technique associated with the creation of these angels in groups
of seven. In each seven there are always one primary, three
secondary, and three tertiary seconaphim; they always
personalize in this exact proportion. When seven such seconaphim
are created, one, the primary, becomes attached to the service
of the Ancients of Days. The three secondary angels are
associated with three groups of Paradise-origin administrators
in the supergovernments: the Divine Counselors, the Perfectors
of Wisdom, and the Universal Censors. The three tertiary angels
are attached to the ascendant trinitized associates of the
superuniverse rulers: the Mighty Messengers, Those High in
Authority, and Those without Name and Number.
28:3.2 These seconaphim of the superuniverses
are the offspring of the Reflective Spirits, and therefore
reflectivity is inherent in their nature. They are reflectively
responsive to all of each phase of every creature of origin in
the Third Source and Center and the Paradise Creator Sons, but
they are not directly reflective of the beings and entities,
personal or otherwise, of sole origin in the First Source and
Center. We possess many evidences of the actuality of the
universal intelligence circuits of the Infinite Spirit, but even
if we had no other proof, the reflective performances of the
seconaphim would be quite sufficient to demonstrate the reality
of the universal presence of the infinite mind of the Conjoint
Actor.
4. THE PRIMARY SECONAPHIM
28:4.1 The primary seconaphim, of assignment
to the Ancients of Days, are living mirrors in the service of
these triune rulers. Think what it means in the economy of a
superuniverse to be able to turn, as it were, to a living mirror
and therein to see and therewith to hear the certain responses
of another being a thousand or a hundred thousand light-years
distant and to do all this instantly and unerringly. Records are
essential to the conduct of the universes, broadcasts are
serviceable, the work of the Solitary and other messengers is
very helpful, but the Ancients of Days from their position
midway between the inhabited worlds and Paradise -- between man
and God -- can instantly look both ways, hear both ways, and
know both ways.
28:4.2 This ability -- to hear and see, as it
were, all things -- can be perfectly realized in the
superuniverses only by the Ancients of Days and only on their
respective headquarters worlds. Even there limits are
encountered: From Uversa, such communication is limited to the
worlds and universes of Orvonton, and while inoperative between
the superuniverses, this same reflective technique keeps each
one of them in close touch with the central universe and with
Paradise. The seven supergovernments, though individually
segregated, are thus perfectly reflective of the authority above
and are wholly sympathetic, as well as perfectly conversant,
with the needs below.
28:4.3 The primary seconaphim are found to
incline by inherent nature towards seven types of service, and
it is befitting that the first serials of this order should be
so endowed as inherently to interpret the mind of the Spirit to
the Ancients of Days:
28:4.4 1. The Voice of the Conjoint Actor.
In each superuniverse the first primary seconaphim and every
seventh one of that order subsequently created exhibit a high
order of adaptability for understanding and interpreting the
mind of the Infinite Spirit to the Ancients of Days and their
associates in the supergovernments. This is of great value on
the headquarters of the superuniverses, for, unlike the local
creations with their Divine Ministers, the seat of a
supergovernment does not have a specialized personalization of
the Infinite Spirit. Hence these secoraphic voices come the
nearest to being the personal representatives of the Third
Source and Center on such a capital sphere. True, the seven
Reflective Spirits are there, but these mothers of the
secoraphic hosts are less truly and automatically reflective of
the Conjoint Actor than of the Seven Master Spirits.
28:4.5 2. The Voice of the Seven Master
Spirits. The second primary seconaphim and every seventh one
thereafter created incline towards portraying the collective
natures and reactions of the Seven Master Spirits. Though each
Master Spirit is already represented on a superuniverse capital
by some one of the seven Reflective Spirits of assignment, such
representation is individual, not collective. Collectively, they
are only reflectively present; therefore do the Master Spirits
welcome the services of these highly personal angels, the second
serials of the primary seconaphim, who are so competent to
represent them before the Ancients of Days.
28:4.6 3. The Voice of the Creator Sons.
The Infinite Spirit must have had something to do with the
creation or training of the Paradise Sons of the order of
Michael, for the third primary seconaphim and every seventh
serial thereafter possess the remarkable gift of being
reflective of the minds of these Creator Sons. If the Ancients
of Days would like to know -- really know -- the attitude of
Michael of Nebadon regarding some matter under consideration,
they do not have to call him on the lines of space; they need
only call for the Chief of Nebadon Voices, who, upon request,
will present the Michael seconaphim of record; and right then
and there the Ancients of Days will perceive the voice of the
Master Son of Nebadon.
28:4.7 No other order of sonship is thus
"reflectible," and no other order of angel can thus function. We
do not fully understand just how this is accomplished, and I
doubt very much that the Creator Sons themselves fully
understand it. But of a certainty we know it works, and that it
unfailingly works acceptably we also know, for in all the
history of Uversa the secoraphic voices have never erred in
their presentations.
28:4.8 You are here beginning to see something
of the manner in which divinity encompasses the space of time
and masters the time of space. You are here obtaining one of
your first fleeting glimpses of the technique of the eternity
cycle, divergent for the moment to assist the children of time
in their tasks of mastering the difficult handicaps of space.
And these phenomena are additional to the established universe
technique of the Reflective Spirits.
28:4.9 Though apparently deprived of the
personal presence of the Master Spirits above and of the Creator
Sons below, the Ancients of Days have at their command living
beings attuned to cosmic mechanisms of reflective perfection and
ultimate precision whereby they may enjoy the reflective
presence of all those exalted beings whose personal presence is
denied them. By and through these means, and others unknown to
you, God is potentially present on the headquarters of the
superuniverses.
28:4.10 The Ancients of Days perfectly deduce
the Father's will by equating the Spirit voice-flash from above
and the Michael voice-flashes from below. Thus may they be
unerringly certain in calculating the Father's will concerning
the administrative affairs of the local universes. But to deduce
the will of one of the Gods from a knowledge of the other two,
the three Ancients of Days must act together; two would not be
able to achieve the answer. And for this reason, even were there
no others, the superuniverses are always presided over by three
Ancients of Days, and not by one or even two.
28:4.11 4. The Voice of the Angelic Hosts.
The fourth primary seconaphim and every seventh serial prove to
be angels peculiarly responsive to the sentiments of all orders
of angels, including the supernaphim above and the seraphim
below. Thus the attitude of any commanding or supervising angel
is immediately available for consideration at any council of the
Ancients of Days. Never a day passes on your world that the
chief of seraphim on Urantia is not made conscious of the
phenomenon of reflective transference, of being drawn upon from
Uversa for some purpose; but unless forewarned by a Solitary
Messenger, she remains wholly ignorant of what is sought and of
how it is secured. These ministering spirits of time are
constantly furnishing this sort of unconscious and certainly,
therefore, unprejudiced testimony concerning the endless array
of matters engaging the attention and counsel of the Ancients of
Days and their associates.
28:4.12 5. Broadcast Receivers. There
is a special class of broadcast messages which are received only
by these primary seconaphim. While they are not the regular
broadcasters of Uversa, they work in liaison with the angels of
the reflective voices for the purpose of synchronizing the
reflective vision of the Ancients of Days with certain actual
messages coming in over the established circuits of universe
communication. Broadcast receivers are the fifth serials, the
fifth primary seconaphim to be created and every seventh one
thereafter.
28:4.13 6. Transport Personalities.
These are the seconaphim who carry the pilgrims of time from the
headquarters worlds of the superuniverses to the outer circle of
Havona. They are the transport corps of the superuniverses,
operating inward to Paradise and outward to the worlds of their
respective sectors. This corps is composed of the sixth primary
seconaphim and every seventh one subsequently created.
28:4.14 7. The Reserve Corps. A very
large group of seconaphim, the seventh primary serials, are held
in reserve for the unclassified duties and the emergency
assignments of the realms. Not being highly specialized, they
can function fairly well in any of the capacities of their
diverse associates, but such specialized work is undertaken only
in emergencies. Their usual tasks are the performance of those
generalized duties of a superuniverse which do not fall within
the scope of the angels of specific assignment.
5. THE SECONDARY SECONAPHIM
28:5.1 Seconaphim of the secondary order are
no less reflective than their primary fellows. Being classed as
primary, secondary, and tertiary does not indicate a
differential of status or function in the case of seconaphim; it
merely denotes orders of procedure. Identical qualities are
exhibited by all three groups in their activities.
28:5.2 The seven reflective types of secondary
seconaphim are assigned to the services of the co-ordinate
Trinity-origin associates of the Ancients of Days as follows:
28:5.3 To the Perfectors of Wisdom -- the
Voices of Wisdom, the Souls of Philosophy, and the Unions of
Souls.
28:5.4 To the Divine Counselors -- the Hearts
of Counsel, the Joys of Existence, and the Satisfactions of
Service.
28:5.5 To the Universal Censors -- the
Discerners of Spirits.
28:5.6 Like the primary order, this group is
created serially; that is, the first-born was a Voice of Wisdom,
and the seventh thereafter was similar, and so with the six
other types of these reflective angels.
28:5.7 1. The Voice of Wisdom. Certain
of these seconaphim are in perpetual liaison with the living
libraries of Paradise, the custodians of knowledge belonging to
the primary supernaphim. In specialized reflective service the
Voices of Wisdom are living, current, replete, and thoroughly
reliable concentrations and focalizations of the co-ordinated
wisdom of the universe of universes. To the well-nigh infinite
volume of information circulating on the master circuits of the
superuniverses, these superb beings are so reflective and
selective, so sensitive, as to be able to segregate and receive
the essence of wisdom and unerringly to transmit these jewels of
mentation to their superiors, the Perfectors of Wisdom. And they
so function that the Perfectors of Wisdom not only hear the
actual and original expressions of this wisdom but also
reflectively see the very beings, of high or lowly origin, who
gave voice to it.
28:5.8 It is written, "If any man lack wisdom,
let him ask." On Uversa, when it becomes necessary to arrive at
the decisions of wisdom in the perplexing situations of the
complex affairs of the superuniverse government, when both the
wisdom of perfection and of practicability must be forthcoming,
then do the Perfectors of Wisdom summon a battery of the Voices
of Wisdom and, by the consummate skill of their order, so attune
and directionize these living receivers of the enminded and
circulating wisdom of the universe of universes that presently,
from these secoraphic voices, there ensues a stream of the
wisdom of divinity from the universe above and a flood of the
wisdom of practicality from the higher minds of the universes
below.
28:5.9 If confusion arises regarding the
harmonization of these two versions of wisdom, immediate appeal
is made to the Divine Counselors, who forthwith rule as to the
proper combination of procedures. If there is any doubt as to
the authenticity of something coming in from realms where
rebellion has been rife, appeal is made to the Censors, who,
with their Discerners of Spirits, are able to rule immediately
as to "what manner of spirit" actuated the adviser. So are the
wisdom of the ages and the intellect of the moment ever present
with the Ancients of Days, like an open book before their
beneficent gaze.
28:5.10 You can just faintly comprehend what
all this means to those who are responsible for the conduct of
the superuniverse governments. The immensity and the
comprehensiveness of these transactions are quite beyond finite
conception. When you stand, as I repeatedly have, in the special
receiving chambers of the temple of wisdom on Uversa and see all
this in actual operation, you will be moved to adoration by the
perfection of the complexity, and by the surety of the working,
of the interplanetary communications of the universes. You will
pay homage to the divine wisdom and goodness of the Gods, who
plan and execute with such superb technique. And these things
actually happen just as I have portrayed them.
28:5.11 2. The Soul of Philosophy.
These wonderful teachers are also attached to the Perfectors of
Wisdom and, when not otherwise directionized, remain in focal
synchrony with the masters of philosophy on Paradise. Think of
stepping up to a huge living mirror, as it were, but instead of
beholding the likeness of your finite and material self, of
perceiving a reflection of the wisdom of divinity and the
philosophy of Paradise. And if it becomes desirable to
"incarnate" this philosophy of perfection, so to dilute it as to
make it practical of application to, and assimilation by, the
lowly peoples of the lower worlds, these living mirrors have
only to turn their faces downward to reflect the standards and
needs of another world or universe.
28:5.12 By these very techniques do the
Perfectors of Wisdom adapt decisions and recommendations to the
real needs and actual status of the peoples and worlds under
consideration, and always do they act in concert with the Divine
Counselors and the Universal Censors. But the sublime
repleteness of these transactions is beyond even my ability to
comprehend.
28:5.13 3. The Union of Souls.
Completing the triune staff of attachment to the Perfectors of
Wisdom, are these reflectors of the ideals and status of ethical
relationships. Of all the problems in the universe requiring an
exercise of the consummate wisdom of experience and
adaptability, none are more important than those arising out of
the relationships and associations of intelligent beings.
Whether in human associations of commerce and trade, friendship
and marriage, or in the liaisons of the angelic hosts, there
continue to arise petty frictions, minor misunderstandings too
trivial even to engage the attention of conciliators but
sufficiently irritating and disturbing to mar the smooth working
of the universe if they were allowed to multiply and continue.
Therefore do the Perfectors of Wisdom make available the wise
experience of their order as the "oil of reconciliation" for an
entire superuniverse. In all this work these wise men of the
superuniverses are ably seconded by their reflective associates,
the Unions of Souls, who make available current information
regarding the status of the universe and concurrently portray
the Paradise ideal of the best adjustment of these perplexing
problems. When not specifically directionized elsewhere, these
seconaphim remain in reflective liaison with the interpreters of
ethics on Paradise.
28:5.14 These are the angels who foster and
promote the teamwork of all Orvonton. One of the most important
lessons to be learned during your mortal career is teamwork.
The spheres of perfection are manned by those who have mastered
this art of working with other beings. Few are the duties in the
universe for the lone servant. The higher you ascend, the more
lonely you become when temporarily without the association of
your fellows.
28:5.15 4. The Heart of Counsel. This
is the first group of these reflective geniuses to be placed
under the supervision of the Divine Counselors. Seconaphim of
this type are in possession of the facts of space, being
selective for such data in the circuits of time. Especially are
they reflective of the superaphic intelligence co-ordinators,
but they are also selectively reflective of the counsel of all
beings, whether of high or low estate. Whenever the Divine
Counselors are called upon for important advice or decisions,
they immediately requisition an ensemble of the Hearts of
Counsel, and presently there is handed down a ruling which
actually incorporates the co-ordinated wisdom and advice of the
most competent minds of the entire superuniverse, all of which
has been censored and revised in the light of the counsel of the
high minds of Havona and even of Paradise.
28:5.16 5. The Joy of Existence. By
nature these beings are reflectively attuned to the superaphic
harmony supervisors above and to certain of the seraphim below,
but it is difficult to explain just what the members of this
interesting group really do. Their principal activities are
directed toward promoting reactions of joy among the various
orders of the angelic hosts and the lower will creatures. The
Divine Counselors, to whom they are attached, seldom use them
for specific joy finding. In a more general manner and in
collaboration with the reversion directors, they function as joy
clearinghouses, seeking to upstep the pleasure reactions of the
realms while trying to improve the humor taste, to develop a
superhumor among mortals and angels. They endeavor to
demonstrate that there is inherent joy in freewill existence,
independent of all extraneous influences; and they are right,
although they meet with great difficulty in inculcating this
truth in the minds of primitive men. The higher spirit
personalities and the angels are more quickly responsive to
these educational efforts.
28:5.17 6. The Satisfaction of Service.
These angels are highly reflective of the attitude of the
directors of conduct on Paradise, and functioning much as do the
Joys of Existence, they strive to enhance the value of service
and to augment the satisfactions to be derived therefrom. They
have done much to illuminate the deferred rewards inherent in
unselfish service, service for the extension of the kingdom of
truth.
28:5.18 The Divine Counselors, to whom this
order is attached, utilize them to reflect from one world to
another the benefits to be derived from spiritual service. And
by using the performances of the best to inspire and encourage
the mediocre, these seconaphim contribute immensely to the
quality of devoted service in the superuniverses. Effective use
is made of the fraternal competitive spirit by circulating to
any one world information about what the others, particularly
the best, are doing. A refreshing and wholesome rivalry is
promoted even among the seraphic hosts.
28:5.19 7. The Discerner of Spirits. A
special liaison exists between the counselors and advisers of
the second Havona circle and these reflective angels. They are
the only seconaphim attached to the Universal Censors but are
probably the most uniquely specialized of all their fellows.
Regardless of the source or channel of information, no matter
how meager the evidence at hand, when it is subjected to their
reflective scrutiny, these discerners will forthwith inform us
as to the true motive, the actual purpose, and the real nature
of its origin. I marvel at the superb functioning of these
angels, who so unerringly reflect the actual moral and spiritual
character of any individual concerned in a focal exposure.
28:5.20 The Discerners of Spirits carry on
these intricate services by virtue of inherent "spiritual
insight," if I may use such words in an endeavor to convey to
the human mind the thought that these reflective angels thus
function intuitively, inherently, and unerringly. When the
Universal Censors behold these presentations, they are face to
face with the naked soul of the reflected individual; and this
very certainty and perfection of portraiture in part explains
why the Censors can always function so justly as righteous
judges. The discerners always accompany the Censors on any
mission away from Uversa, and they are just as effective out in
the universes as at their Uversa headquarters.
28:5.21 I assure you that all these
transactions of the spirit world are real, that they take place
in accordance with established usages and in harmony with the
immutable laws of the universal domains. The beings of every
newly created order, immediately upon receiving the breath of
life, are instantly reflected on high; a living portrayal of the
creature nature and potential is flashed to the superuniverse
headquarters. Thus, by means of the discerners, are the Censors
made fully cognizant of exactly "what manner of spirit" has been
born on the worlds of space.
28:5.22 So it is with mortal man: The Mother
Spirit of Salvington knows you fully, for the Holy Spirit on
your world "searches all things," and whatsoever the divine
Spirit knows of you is immediately available whenever the
secoraphic discerners reflect with the Spirit concerning the
Spirit's knowledge of you. It should, however, be mentioned that
the knowledge and plans of the Father fragments are not
reflectible. The discerners can and do reflect the presence of
the Adjusters (and the Censors pronounce them divine), but they
cannot decipher the content of the mindedness of the Mystery
Monitors.
6. THE TERTIARY SECONAPHIM
28:6.1 In the same manner as their fellows,
these angels are created serially and in seven reflective types,
but these types are not assigned individually to the separate
services of the superuniverse administrators. All tertiary
seconaphim are collectively assigned to the Trinitized Sons of
Attainment, and these ascendant sons use them interchangeably;
that is, the Mighty Messengers can and do utilize any of the
tertiary types, and so do their co-ordinates, Those High in
Authority and Those without Name and Number. These seven types
of tertiary seconaphim are:
28:6.2 1. The Significance of Origins.
The ascendant Trinitized Sons of a superuniverse government are
charged with the responsibility of dealing with all issues
growing out of the origin of any individual, race, or world; and
the significance of origin is the paramount question in all our
plans for the cosmic advancement of the living creatures of the
realm. All relationships and the application of ethics grow out
of the fundamental facts of origin. Origin is the basis of the
relational reaction of the Gods. Always does the Conjoint Actor
"take note of the man, in what manner he was born."
28:6.3 With the higher descendant beings,
origin is simply a fact to be ascertained; but with the
ascending beings, including the lower orders of angels, the
nature and circumstances of origin are not always so clear,
though of equally vital importance at almost every turn of
universe affairs -- hence the value of having at our disposal a
series of reflective seconaphim who can instantly portray
anything required respecting the genesis of any being in either
the central universe or throughout the entire realm of a
superuniverse.
28:6.4 The Significance of Origins are the
living ready-reference genealogies of the vast hosts of beings
-- men, angels, and others -- who inhabit the seven
superuniverses. They are always ready to supply their superiors
with an up-to-date, replete, and trustworthy estimate of the
ancestral factors and the current actual status of any
individual on any world of their respective superuniverses; and
their computation of possessed facts is always up to the minute.
28:6.5 2. The Memory of Mercy. These
are the actual, full and replete, living records of the mercy
which has been extended to individuals and races by the tender
ministrations of the instrumentalities of the Infinite Spirit in
the mission of adapting the justice of righteousness to the
status of the realms, as disclosed by the portrayals of the
Significance of Origins. The Memory of Mercy discloses the moral
debt of the children of mercy -- their spiritual liabilities --
to be set down against their assets of the saving provision
established by the Sons of God. In revealing the Father's
pre-existent mercy, the Sons of God establish the necessary
credit to insure the survival of all. And then, in accordance
with the findings of the Significance of Origins, a mercy credit
is established for the survival of each rational creature, a
credit of lavish proportions and one of sufficient grace to
insure the survival of every soul who really desires divine
citizenship.
28:6.6 The Memory of Mercy is a living trial
balance, a current statement of your account with the
supernatural forces of the realms. These are the living records
of mercy ministration which are read into the testimony of the
courts of Uversa when each individual's right to unending life
comes up for adjudication, when "thrones are cast up and the
Ancients of Days are seated. The broadcasts of Uversa issue and
come forth from before them; thousands upon thousands minister
to them, and ten thousand times ten thousand stand before them.
The judgment is set, and the books are opened." And the books
which are opened on such a momentous occasion are the living
records of the tertiary seconaphim of the superuniverses. The
formal records are on file to corroborate the testimony of the
Memories of Mercy if they are required.
28:6.7 The Memory of Mercy must show that the
saving credit established by the Sons of God has been fully and
faithfully paid out in the loving ministry of the patient
personalities of the Third Source and Center. But when mercy is
exhausted, when the "memory" thereof testifies to its depletion,
then does justice prevail and righteousness decree. For mercy is
not to be thrust upon those who despise it; mercy is not a gift
to be trampled under foot by the persistent rebels of time.
Nevertheless, though mercy is thus precious and dearly bestowed,
your individual drawing credits are always far in excess of your
ability to exhaust the reserve if you are sincere of purpose and
honest of heart.
28:6.8 The mercy reflectors, with their
tertiary associates, engage in numerous superuniverse
ministries, including the teaching of the ascending creatures.
Among many other things the Significances of Origins teach these
ascenders how to apply spirit ethics, and following such
training, the Memories of Mercy teach them how to be truly
merciful. While the spirit techniques of mercy ministry are
beyond your concept, you should even now understand that mercy
is a quality of growth. You should realize that there is a great
reward of personal satisfaction in being first just, next fair,
then patient, then kind. And then, on that foundation, if you
choose and have it in your heart, you can take the next step and
really show mercy; but you cannot exhibit mercy in and of
itself. These steps must be traversed; otherwise there can be no
genuine mercy. There may be patronage, condescension, or charity
-- even pity -- but not mercy. True mercy comes only as the
beautiful climax to these preceding adjuncts to group
understanding, mutual appreciation, fraternal fellowship,
spiritual communion, and divine harmony.
28:6.9 3. The Import of Time. Time is
the one universal endowment of all will creatures; it is the
"one talent" intrusted to all intelligent beings. You all have
time in which to insure your survival; and time is fatally
squandered only when it is buried in neglect, when you fail so
to utilize it as to make certain the survival of your soul.
Failure to improve one's time to the fullest extent possible
does not impose fatal penalties; it merely retards the pilgrim
of time in his journey of ascent. If survival is gained, all
other losses can be retrieved.
28:6.10 In the assignment of trusts the
counsel of the Imports of Time is invaluable. Time is a vital
factor in everything this side of Havona and Paradise. In the
final judgment before the Ancients of Days, time is an element
of evidence. The Imports of Time must always afford testimony to
show that every defendant has had ample time for making
decisions, achieving choice.
28:6.11 These time evaluators are also the
secret of prophecy; they portray the element of time which will
be required in the completion of any undertaking, and they are
just as dependable as indicators as are the frandalanks and
chronoldeks of other living orders. The Gods foresee, hence
foreknow; but the ascendant authorities of the universes of time
must consult the Imports of Time to be able to forecast events
of the future.
28:6.12 You will first encounter these beings
on the mansion worlds, and they will there instruct you in the
advantageous use of that which you call "time," both in its
positive employment, work, and in its negative utilization,
rest. Both uses of time are important.
28:6.13 4. The Solemnity of Trust.
Trust is the crucial test of will creatures. Trustworthiness is
the true measure of self-mastery, character. These seconaphim
accomplish a double purpose in the economy of the
superuniverses: They portray to all will creatures the sense of
the obligation, sacredness, and solemnity of trust. At the same
time they unerringly reflect to the governing authorities the
exact trustworthiness of any candidate for confidence or trust.
28:6.14 On Urantia, you grotesquely essay to
read character and to estimate specific abilities, but on Uversa
we actually do these things in perfection. These seconaphim
weigh trustworthiness in the living scales of unerring character
appraisal, and when they have looked at you, we have only to
look at them to know the limitations of your ability to
discharge responsibility, execute trust, and fulfill missions.
Your assets of trustworthiness are clearly set forth alongside
your liabilities of possible default or betrayal.
28:6.15 It is the plan of your superiors to
advance you by augmented trusts just as fast as your character
is sufficiently developed to gracefully bear these added
responsibilities, but to overload the individual only courts
disaster and insures disappointment. And the mistake of placing
responsibility prematurely upon either man or angel may be
avoided by utilizing the ministry of these infallible estimators
of the trust capacity of the individuals of time and space.
These seconaphim ever accompany Those High in Authority, and
never do these executives make assignments until their
candidates have been weighed in the secoraphic balances and
pronounced "not wanting."
28:6.16 5. The Sanctity of Service. The
privilege of service immediately follows the discovery of
trustworthiness. Nothing can stand between you and opportunity
for increased service except your own untrustworthiness, your
lack of capacity for appreciation of the solemnity of trust.
28:6.17 Service -- purposeful service, not
slavery -- is productive of the highest satisfaction and is
expressive of the divinest dignity. Service -- more service,
increased service, difficult service, adventurous service, and
at last divine and perfect service -- is the goal of time and
the destination of space. But ever will the play cycles of time
alternate with the service cycles of progress. And after the
service of time there follows the superservice of eternity.
During the play of time you should envision the work of
eternity, even as you will, during the service of eternity,
reminisce the play of time.
28:6.18 The universal economy is based on
intake and output; throughout the eternal career you will never
encounter monotony of inaction or stagnation of personality.
Progress is made possible by inherent motion, advancement grows
out of the divine capacity for action, and achievement is the
child of imaginative adventure. But inherent in this capacity
for achievement is the responsibility of ethics, the necessity
for recognizing that the world and the universe are filled with
a multitude of differing types of beings. All of this
magnificent creation, including yourself, was not made
just for you. This is not an egocentric universe. The Gods have
decreed, "It is more blessed to give than to receive," and said
your Master Son, "He who would be greatest among you let him be
server of all."
28:6.19 The real nature of any service, be it
rendered by man or angel, is fully revealed in the faces of
these secoraphic service indicators, the Sanctities of Service.
The full analysis of the true and of the hidden motives is
clearly shown. These angels are indeed the mind readers, heart
searchers, and soul revealers of the universe. Mortals may
employ words to conceal their thoughts, but these high
seconaphim lay bare the deep motives of the human heart and of
the angelic mind.
28:6.20 6 and 7. The Secret of Greatness
and the Soul of Goodness. The ascending pilgrims having
awakened to the import of time, the way is prepared for the
realization of the solemnity of trust and for the appreciation
of the sanctity of service. While these are the moral elements
of greatness, there are also secrets of greatness. When the
spiritual tests of greatness are applied, the moral elements are
not disregarded, but the quality of unselfishness revealed in
disinterested labor for the welfare of one's earthly fellows,
particularly worthy beings in need and in distress, that is the
real measure of planetary greatness. And the
manifestation of greatness on a world like Urantia is the
exhibition of self-control. The great man is not he who "takes a
city" or "overthrows a nation," but rather "he who subdues his
own tongue."
28:6.21 Greatness is synonymous with divinity.
God is supremely great and good. Greatness and goodness
simply cannot be divorced. They are forever made one in God.
This truth is literally and strikingly illustrated by the
reflective interdependence of the Secret of Greatness and the
Soul of Goodness, for neither can function without the other. In
reflecting other qualities of divinity, the superuniverse
seconaphim can and do act alone, but the reflective estimates of
greatness and of goodness appear to be inseparable. Hence, on
any world, in any universe, must these reflectors of greatness
and of goodness work together, always showing a dual and
mutually dependent report of every being upon whom they
focalize. Greatness cannot be estimated without knowing the
content of goodness, while goodness cannot be portrayed without
exhibiting its inherent and divine greatness.
28:6.22 The estimate of greatness varies from
sphere to sphere. To be great is to be Godlike. And since the
quality of greatness is wholly determined by the content of
goodness, it follows that, even in your present human estate, if
you can through grace become good, you are thereby becoming
great. The more steadfastly you behold, and the more
persistently you pursue, the concepts of divine goodness, the
more certainly will you grow in greatness, in true magnitude of
genuine survival character.
7. MINISTRY OF THE SECONAPHIM
28:7.1 The seconaphim have their origin and
headquarters on the capitals of the superuniverses, but with
their liaison fellows they range from the shores of Paradise to
the evolutionary worlds of space. They serve as valued
assistants to the members of the deliberative assemblies of the
supergovernments and are of great help to the courtesy colonies
of Uversa: the star students, millennial tourists, celestial
observers, and a host of others, including the ascendant beings
in waiting for Havona transport. The Ancients of Days take
pleasure in assigning certain of the primary seconaphim to
assist the ascending creatures domiciled on the four hundred
ninety study worlds surrounding Uversa, and here also do many of
the secondary and tertiary orders serve as teachers. These
Uversa satellites are the finishing schools of the universes of
time, presenting the preparatory course for the seven-circuited
university of Havona.
28:7.2 Of the three orders of seconaphim, the
tertiary group, attached to the ascendant authorities, minister
most extensively to the ascending creatures of time. You will on
occasion meet them soon after your departure from Urantia,
though you will not freely make use of their services until you
reach the tarrying worlds of Orvonton. You will enjoy their
companionship when you become fully acquainted with them during
your sojourn on the Uversa school worlds.
28:7.3 These tertiary seconaphim are the
timesavers, space abridgers, error detectors, faithful teachers,
and everlasting guideposts -- living signs of divine surety --
in mercy placed at the crossroads of time, there to guide the
feet of anxious pilgrims in moments of great perplexity and
spiritual uncertainty. Long before attaining the portals of
perfection, you will begin to gain access to the tools of
divinity and to make contact with the techniques of Deity.
Increasingly, from the time you arrive on the initial mansion
world until you close your eyes in the Havona sleep preparatory
to your Paradise transit, you will avail yourself of the
emergency help of these marvelous beings, who are so fully and
freely reflective of the sure knowledge and certain wisdom of
those safe and dependable pilgrims who have preceded you on the
long journey to the portals of perfection.
28:7.4 We are denied the full privilege of
using these angels of the reflective order on Urantia. They are
frequent visitors on your world, accompanying assigned
personalities, but here they cannot freely function. This sphere
is still under partial spiritual quarantine, and some of the
circuits essential to their services are not here at present.
When your world is once more restored to the reflective circuits
concerned, much of the work of interplanetary and interuniverse
communication will be greatly simplified and expedited.
Celestial workers on Urantia encounter many difficulties because
of this functional curtailment of their reflective associates.
But we go on joyfully conducting our affairs with the
instrumentalities at hand, notwithstanding our local deprivation
of many of the services of these marvelous beings, the living
mirrors of space and the presence projectors of time.
28:7.5
Sponsored by a Mighty Messenger of Uversa.
