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The 5th Epochal Revelation
-The Urantia Papers
PAPER 38
MINISTERING SPIRITS OF THE LOCAL UNIVERSE
38:0.1
THERE are three distinct orders of the personalities of
the Infinite Spirit. The impetuous apostle understood
this when he wrote respecting Jesus, "who has gone to
heaven and is on the right hand of God, angels and
authorities and powers being made subject to him."
Angels are the ministering spirits of time; authorities,
the messenger hosts of space; powers, the higher
personalities of the Infinite Spirit.
38:0.2
As the supernaphim in the central universe and the
seconaphim in a superuniverse, so the seraphim, with the
associated cherubim and sanobim, constitute the angelic
corps of a local universe.
38:0.3
The seraphim are all fairly uniform in design. From
universe to universe, throughout all seven of the
superuniverses, they show a minimum of variation; they
are the most nearly standard of all spirit types of
personal beings. Their various orders constitute the
corps of the skilled and common ministers of the local
creations.
1. ORIGIN OF SERAPHIM
38:1.1
Seraphim are created by the Universe Mother Spirit and
have been projected in unit formation -- 41,472 at a
time -- ever since the creation of the "pattern angels"
and certain angelic archetypes in the early times of
Nebadon. The Creator Son and the universe representation
of the Infinite Spirit collaborate in the creation of a
large number of Sons and other universe personalities.
Following the completion of this united effort, the Son
engages in the creation of the Material Sons, the first
of the sex creatures, while the Universe Mother Spirit
concurrently engages in her initial solitary effort at
spirit reproduction. Thus begins the creation of the
seraphic hosts of a local universe.
38:1.2
These angelic orders are projected at the time of
planning for the evolution of mortal will creatures. The
creation of seraphim dates from the attainment of
relative personality by the Universe Mother Spirit, not
as the later co-ordinate of the Master Son, but as the
early creative helper of the Creator Son. Previous to
this event the seraphim on duty in Nebadon were
temporarily loaned by a neighboring universe.
38:1.3
Seraphim are still being periodically created; the
universe of Nebadon is still in the making. The Universe
Mother Spirit never ceases creative activity in a
growing and perfecting universe.
2. ANGELIC NATURES
38:2.1
Angels do not have material bodies, but they are
definite and discrete beings; they are of spirit nature
and origin. Though invisible to mortals, they perceive
you as you are in the flesh without the aid of
transformers or translators; they intellectually
understand the mode of mortal life, and they share all
of man's nonsensuous emotions and sentiments. They
appreciate and greatly enjoy your efforts in music, art,
and real humor. They are fully cognizant of your moral
struggles and spiritual difficulties. They love human
beings, and only good can result from your efforts to
understand and love them.
38:2.2
Though seraphim are very affectionate and sympathetic
beings, they are not sex-emotion creatures. They are
much as you will be on the mansion worlds, where you
will "neither marry nor be given in marriage but will be
as the angels of heaven." For all who "shall be
accounted worthy to attain the mansion worlds neither
marry nor are given in marriage; neither do they die any
more, for they are equal to the angels." Nevertheless,
in dealing with sex creatures it is our custom to speak
of those beings of more direct descent from the Father
and the Son as the sons of God, while referring to the
children of the Spirit as the daughters of God. Angels
are, therefore, commonly designated by feminine pronouns
on the sex planets.
38:2.3
The seraphim are so created as to function on both
spiritual and literal levels. There are few phases of
morontia or spirit activity which are not open to their
ministrations. While in personal status angels are not
so far removed from human beings, in certain functional
performances seraphim far transcend them. They possess
many powers far beyond human comprehension. For example:
You have been told that the "very hairs of your head are
numbered," and it is true they are, but a seraphim does
not spend her time counting them and keeping the number
corrected up to date. Angels possess inherent and
automatic (that is, automatic as far as you could
perceive) powers of knowing such things; you would truly
regard a seraphim as a mathematical prodigy. Therefore,
numerous duties which would be tremendous tasks for
mortals are performed with exceeding ease by seraphim.
38:2.4
Angels are superior to you in spiritual status, but they
are not your judges or accusers. No matter what your
faults, "the angels, although greater in power and
might, bring no accusation against you." Angels do not
sit in judgment on mankind, neither should individual
mortals prejudge their fellow creatures.
38:2.5
You do well to love them, but you should not adore them;
angels are not objects of worship. The great seraphim,
Loyalatia, when your seer "fell down to worship before
the feet of the angel," said: "See that you do it not; I
am a fellow servant with you and with your races, who
are all enjoined to worship God."
38:2.6
In nature and personality endowment the seraphim are
just a trifle ahead of mortal races in the scale of
creature existence. Indeed, when you are delivered from
the flesh, you become very much like them. On the
mansion worlds you will begin to appreciate the
seraphim, on the constellation spheres to enjoy them,
while on Salvington they will share their places of rest
and worship with you. Throughout the whole morontia and
subsequent spirit ascent, your fraternity with the
seraphim will be ideal; your companionship will be
superb.
3. UNREVEALED ANGELS
38:3.1
Numerous orders of spirit beings function throughout the
domains of the local universe that are unrevealed to
mortals because they are in no manner connected with the
evolutionary plan of Paradise ascension. In this paper
the word "angel" is purposely limited to the designation
of those seraphic and associated offspring of the
Universe Mother Spirit who are so largely concerned with
the operation of the plans of mortal survival. There
serve in the local universe six other orders of related
beings, the unrevealed angels, who are not in any
specific manner connected with those universe activities
pertaining to the Paradise ascent of evolutionary
mortals. These six groups of angelic associates are
never called seraphim, neither are they referred to as
ministering spirits. These personalities are wholly
occupied with the administrative and other affairs of
Nebadon, engagements which are in no way related to
man's progressive career of spiritual ascent and
perfection attainment.
4. THE SERAPHIC WORLDS
38:4.1
The ninth group of seven primary spheres in the
Salvington circuit are the worlds of the seraphim. Each
of these worlds has six tributary satellites, whereon
are the special schools devoted to all phases of
seraphic training. While the seraphim have access to all
forty-nine worlds comprising this group of Salvington
spheres, they exclusively occupy only the first cluster
of seven. The remaining six clusters are occupied by the
six orders of angelic associates unrevealed on Urantia;
each such group maintains headquarters on one of these
six primary worlds and carries on specialized activities
on the six tributary satellites. Each angelic order has
free access to all the worlds of these seven diverse
groups.
38:4.2
These headquarters worlds are among the magnificent
realms of Nebadon; the seraphic estates are
characterized by both beauty and vastness. Here each
seraphim has a real home, and "home" means the domicile
of two seraphim; they live in pairs.
38:4.3
Though not male and female as are the Material Sons and
the mortal races, seraphim are negative and positive. In
the majority of assignments it requires two angels to
accomplish the task. When they are not encircuited, they
can work alone; neither do they require complements of
being when stationary. Ordinarily they retain their
original complements of being, but not necessarily. Such
associations are primarily necessitated by function;
they are not characterized by sex emotion, though they
are exceedingly personal and truly affectionate.
38:4.4
Besides designated homes, seraphim also have group,
company, battalion, and unit headquarters. They
forgather for reunions every millennium and are all
present in accordance with the time of their creation.
If a seraphim bears responsibilities which forbid
absence from duty, she alternates attendance with her
complement, being relieved by a seraphim of another
birth date. Each seraphic partner is thereby present at
least every other reunion.
5. SERAPHIC TRAINING
38:5.1
Seraphim spend their first millennium as noncommissioned
observers on Salvington and its associated world
schools. The second millennium is spent on the seraphic
worlds of the Salvington circuit. Their central training
school is now presided over by the first one hundred
thousand Nebadon seraphim, and at their head is the
original or first-born angel of this local universe. The
first created group of Nebadon seraphim were trained by
a corps of one thousand seraphim from Avalon;
subsequently our angels have been taught by their own
seniors. The Melchizedeks also have a large part in the
education and training of all local universe angels --
seraphim, cherubim, and sanobim.
38:5.2
At the termination of this period of training on the
seraphic worlds of Salvington, seraphim are mobilized in
the conventional groups and units of the angelic
organization and are assigned to some one of the
constellations. They are not yet commissioned as
ministering spirits, although they have well entered
upon the precommissioned phases of angelic training.
38:5.3
Seraphim are initiated as ministering spirits by serving
as observers on the lowest of the evolutionary worlds.
After this experience they return to the associate
worlds of the headquarters of the assigned constellation
to begin their advanced studies and more definitely to
prepare for service in some particular local system.
Following this general education they are advanced to
the service of some one of the local systems. On the
architectural worlds associated with the capital of some
Nebadon system our seraphim complete their training and
are commissioned as ministering spirits of time.
38:5.4
When once seraphim are commissioned, they may range all
Nebadon, even Orvonton, on assignment. Their work in the
universe is without bounds and limitations; they are
closely associated with the material creatures of the
worlds and are ever in the service of the lower orders
of spiritual personalities, making contact between these
beings of the spirit world and the mortals of the
material realms.
6. SERAPHIC ORGANIZATION
38:6.1
After the second millennium of sojourn at seraphic
headquarters the seraphim are organized under chiefs
into groups of twelve (12 pairs, 24 seraphim), and
twelve such groups constitute a company (144 pairs, 288
seraphim), which is commanded by a leader. Twelve
companies under a commander constitute a battalion
(1,728 pairs or 3,456 seraphim), and twelve battalions
under a director equal a seraphic unit (20,736 pairs or
41,472 individuals), while twelve units, subject to the
command of a supervisor, constitute a legion numbering
248,832 pairs or 497,664 individuals. Jesus alluded to
such a group of angels that night in the garden of
Gethsemane when he said: "I can even now ask my Father,
and he will presently give me more than twelve legions
of angels."
38:6.2
Twelve legions of angels comprise a host numbering
2,985,984 pairs or 5,971,968 individuals, and twelve
such hosts (35,831,808 pairs or 71,663,616 individuals)
make up the largest operating organization of seraphim,
an angelic army. A seraphic host is commanded by an
archangel or by some other personality of co-ordinate
status, while the angelic armies are directed by the
Brilliant Evening Stars or by other immediate
lieutenants of Gabriel. And Gabriel is the "supreme
commander of the armies of heaven," the chief executive
of the Sovereign of Nebadon, "the Lord God of hosts."
38:6.3
Though serving under the direct supervision of the
Infinite Spirit as personalized on Salvington, since the
bestowal of Michael on Urantia, seraphim and all other
local universe orders have become subject to the
sovereignty of the Master Son. Even when Michael was
born of the flesh on Urantia, there issued the
superuniverse broadcast to all Nebadon which proclaimed,
"And let all the angels worship him." All ranks of
angels are subject to his sovereignty; they are a part
of that group which has been denominated "his mighty
angels."
7. CHERUBIM AND SANOBIM
38:7.1
In all essential endowments cherubim and sanobim are
similar to seraphim. They have the same origin but not
always the same destiny. They are wonderfully
intelligent, marvelously efficient, touchingly
affectionate, and almost human. They are the lowest
order of angels, hence all the nearer of kin to the more
progressive types of human beings on the evolutionary
worlds.
38:7.2
Cherubim and sanobim are inherently associated,
functionally united. One is an energy positive
personality; the other, energy negative. The right-hand
deflector, or positively charged angel, is the cherubim
-- the senior or controlling personality. The left-hand
deflector, or negatively charged angel, is the sanobim
-- the complement of being. Each type of angel is very
limited in solitary function; hence they usually serve
in pairs. When serving independently of their seraphic
directors, they are more than ever dependent on mutual
contact and always function together.
38:7.3
Cherubim and sanobim are the faithful and efficient aids
of the seraphic ministers, and all seven orders of
seraphim are provided with these subordinate assistants.
Cherubim and sanobim serve for ages in these capacities,
but they do not accompany seraphim on assignments beyond
the confines of the local universe.
38:7.4
The cherubim and sanobim are the routine spirit workers
on the individual worlds of the systems. On a
nonpersonal assignment and in an emergency, they may
serve in the place of a seraphic pair, but they never
function, even temporarily, as attending angels to human
beings; that is an exclusive seraphic privilege.
38:7.5
When assigned to a planet, cherubim enter the local
courses of training, including a study of planetary
usages and languages. The ministering spirits of time
are all bilingual, speaking the language of the local
universe of their origin and that of their native
superuniverse. By study in the schools of the realms
they acquire additional tongues. Cherubim and sanobim,
like seraphim and all other orders of spirit beings, are
continuously engaged in efforts at self-improvement.
Only such as the subordinate beings of power control and
energy direction are incapable of progression; all
creatures having actual or potential personality
volition seek new achievements.
38:7.6
Cherubim and sanobim are by nature very near the
morontia level of existence, and they prove to be most
efficient in the borderland work of the physical,
morontial, and spiritual domains. These children of the
local universe Mother Spirit are characterized by
"fourth creatures" much as are the Havona Servitals and
the conciliating commissions. Every fourth cherubim and
every fourth sanobim are quasi-material, very definitely
resembling the morontia level of existence.
38:7.7
These angelic fourth creatures are of great assistance
to the seraphim in the more literal phases of their
universe and planetary activities. Such morontia
cherubim also perform many indispensable borderline
tasks on the morontia training worlds and are assigned
to the service of the Morontia Companions in large
numbers. They are to the morontia spheres about what the
midway creatures are to the evolutionary planets. On the
inhabited worlds these morontia cherubim frequently work
in liaison with the midway creatures. Cherubim and
midway creatures are distinctly separate orders of
beings; they have dissimilar origins, but they disclose
great similarity in nature and function.
8. EVOLUTION OF CHERUBIM AND SANOBIM
38:8.1
Numerous avenues of advancing service are open to
cherubim and sanobim leading to an enhancement of
status, which may be still further augmented by the
embrace of the Divine Minister. There are three great
classes of cherubim and sanobim with regard to
evolutionary potential:
38:8.2
1. Ascension
Candidates. These beings are by nature candidates
for seraphic status. Cherubim and sanobim of this order
are brilliant, though not by inherent endowment equal to
the seraphim; but by application and experience it is
possible for them to attain full seraphic standing.
38:8.3
2. Mid-phase
Cherubim. All cherubim and sanobim are not equal in
ascension potential, and these are the inherently
limited beings of the angelic creations. Most of them
will remain cherubim and sanobim, although the more
gifted individuals may achieve limited seraphic service.
38:8.4
3. Morontia
Cherubim. These "fourth creatures" of the angelic
orders always retain their quasi-material
characteristics. They will continue on as cherubim and
sanobim, together with a majority of their mid-phase
brethren, pending the completed factualization of the
Supreme Being.
38:8.5
While the second and third groups are somewhat limited
in growth potential, the ascension candidates may attain
the heights of universal seraphic service. Many of the
more experienced of these cherubim are attached to the
seraphic guardians of destiny and are thus placed in
direct line for advancement to the status of Mansion
World Teachers when deserted by their seraphic seniors.
Guardians of destiny do not have cherubim and sanobim as
helpers when their mortal wards attain the morontia
life. And when other types of evolutionary seraphim are
granted clearance for Seraphington and Paradise, they
must forsake their former subordinates when they pass
out of the confines of Nebadon. Such deserted cherubim
and sanobim are usually embraced by the Universe Mother
Spirit, thus achieving a level equivalent to that of a
Mansion World Teacher in the attainment of seraphic
status.
38:8.6
When, as Mansion World Teachers, the once-embraced
cherubim and sanobim have long served on the morontia
spheres, from the lowest to the highest, and when their
corps on Salvington is overrecruited, the Bright and
Morning Star summons these faithful servants of the
creatures of time to appear in his presence. The oath of
personality transformation is administered; and
thereupon, in groups of seven thousand, these advanced
and senior cherubim and sanobim are re-embraced by the
Universe Mother Spirit. From this second embrace they
emerge as full-fledged seraphim. Henceforth, the full
and complete career of a seraphim, with all of its
Paradise possibilities, is open to such reborn cherubim
and sanobim. Such angels may be assigned as guardians of
destiny to some mortal being, and if the mortal ward
attains survival, then do they become eligible for
advancement to Seraphington and the seven circles of
seraphic attainment, even to Paradise and the Corps of
the Finality.
9. THE MIDWAY CREATURES
38:9.1
The midway creatures have a threefold classification:
They are properly classified with the ascending Sons of
God; they are factually grouped with the orders of
permanent citizenship, while they are functionally
reckoned with the ministering spirits of time because of
their intimate and effective association with the
angelic hosts in the work of serving mortal man on the
individual worlds of space.
38:9.2
These unique creatures appear on the majority of the
inhabited worlds and are always found on the decimal or
life-experiment planets, such as Urantia. Midwayers are
of two types -- primary and secondary -- and they appear
by the following techniques:
38:9.3
1. Primary
Midwayers, the more spiritual group, are a somewhat
standardized order of beings who are uniformly derived
from the modified ascendant-mortal staffs of the
Planetary Princes. The number of primary midway
creatures is always fifty thousand, and no planet
enjoying their ministry has a larger group.
38:9.4
2. Secondary
Midwayers, the more material group of these
creatures, vary greatly in numbers on the different
worlds, though the average is around fifty thousand.
They are variously derived from the planetary biologic
uplifters, the Adams and Eves, or from their immediate
progeny. There are no less than twenty-four diverse
techniques involved in the production of these secondary
midway creatures on the evolutionary worlds of space.
The mode of origin for this group on Urantia was unusual
and extraordinary.
38:9.5
Neither of these groups is an evolutionary accident;
both are essential features in the predetermined plans
of the universe architects, and their appearance on the
evolving worlds at the opportune juncture is in
accordance with the original designs and developmental
plans of the supervising Life Carriers.
38:9.6
Primary midwayers are energized intellectually and
spiritually by the angelic technique and are uniform in
intellectual status. The seven adjutant mind-spirits
make no contact with them; and only the sixth and the
seventh, the spirit of worship and the spirit of wisdom,
are able to minister to the secondary group.
38:9.7
Secondary midwayers are physically energized by the
Adamic technique, spiritually encircuited by the
seraphic, and intellectually endowed with the morontia
transition type of mind. They are divided into four
physical types, seven orders spiritually, and twelve
levels of intellectual response to the joint ministry of
the last two adjutant spirits and the morontia mind.
These diversities determine their differential of
activity and of planetary assignment.
38:9.8
Primary midwayers resemble angels more than mortals; the
secondary orders are much more like human beings. Each
renders invaluable assistance to the other in the
execution of their manifold planetary assignments. The
primary ministers can achieve liaison co-operation with
both morontia- and spirit-energy controllers and mind
circuiters. The secondary group can establish working
connections only with the physical controllers and the
material-circuit manipulators. But since each order of
midwayer can establish perfect synchrony of contact with
the other, either group is thereby able to achieve
practical utilization of the entire energy gamut
extending from the gross physical power of the material
worlds up through the transition phases of universe
energies to the higher spirit-reality forces of the
celestial realms.
38:9.9
The gap between the material and spiritual worlds is
perfectly bridged by the serial association of mortal
man, secondary midwayer, primary midwayer, morontia
cherubim, mid-phase cherubim, and seraphim. In the
personal experience of an individual mortal these
diverse levels are undoubtedly more or less unified and
made personally meaningful by the unobserved and
mysterious operations of the divine Thought Adjuster.
38:9.10
On normal worlds the primary midwayers maintain their
service as the intelligence corps and as celestial
entertainers in behalf of the Planetary Prince, while
the secondary ministers continue their co-operation with
the Adamic regime of furthering the cause of progressive
planetary civilization. In case of the defection of the
Planetary Prince and the failure of the Material Son, as
occurred on Urantia, the midway creatures become the
wards of the System Sovereign and serve under the
directing guidance of the acting custodian of the
planet. But on only three other worlds in Satania do
these beings function as one group under unified
leadership as do the united midway ministers of Urantia.
38:9.11
The planetary work of both primary and secondary
midwayers is varied and diverse on the numerous
individual worlds of a universe, but on the normal and
average planets their activities are very different from
the duties which occupy their time on isolated spheres,
such as Urantia.
38:9.12
The primary midwayers are the planetary historians who,
from the time of the arrival of the Planetary Prince to
the age of settled light and life, formulate the
pageants and design the portrayals of planetary history
for the exhibits of the planets on the system
headquarters worlds.
38:9.13
Midwayers remain for long periods on an inhabited world,
but if faithful to their trust, they will eventually and
most certainly be recognized for their agelong service
in maintaining the sovereignty of the Creator Son; they
will be duly rewarded for their patient ministry to the
material mortals on their world of time and space.
Sooner or later all accredited midway creatures will be
mustered into the ranks of the ascending Sons of God and
will be duly initiated into the long adventure of the
Paradise ascent in company with those very mortals of
animal origin, their earth brethren, whom they so
jealously guarded and so effectively served during the
long planetary sojourn.
38:9.14
Presented by a Melchizedek acting by request of the
Chief of the Seraphic Hosts of Nebadon.
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