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The 5th Epochal Revelation
-The Urantia Papers
PAPER 28
MINISTERING SPIRITS OF THE SUPERUNIVERSES
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.
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