The Urantia Book is a collection of 196 Papers (chapters) bound in book form, and yet, to describe it thus is hardly adequate; it is far more than just a book to add to a library. The Urantia Book contains within its pages a Divine Revelation which is on a par with the incarnation of Jesus Christ ( Jesus of Nazareth) over 2000 years ago. The Urantia Book is the fifth of five epochal revelations - revelations that assist humanity in its search for God, ultimate Truth, Spiritual Beauty, and Divine Goodness. The Urantia Book was created by high celestial personalities and completed in 1934. The book was first published by Urantia Foundation in 1955. The authors of The Urantia Book are a varied collection of universe personalities ranging for beings nearly like God to angels and a vast host of other personalities. The concepts in The Urantia Book are not all new; many are gleaned from the highest earth wisdom, and arranged for us in a cogent and digestible way, along with a vast quantity of new revealed (previously unknown) knowledge.

To understand epochal revelation, one must understand the nature of Earth and its history as set against the revelation of the whole of Creation. To that end, The Urantia Book begins with the Creator of all, The Universal Father, and proceeds from this loving God of Personality, to the far-distant beginnings of time, space, and matter, of which Earth (Urantia) is but one small part. The whole of Creation, the entirety of the Grand Universe, is here revealed to humanity, and that story can be read in Part 1 and Part 2 of the book. Part 3 depicts the history of life on earth since its origin more than four and one-half billion years ago. It traces the story of human existence from the birth of the first two human beings, Andon and Fonta, nearly 993,500 years ago. Beyond plotting our physical evolution, this section describes the development of civilization, industry, government, religion, and family life. The records of human tribulation and progress indicate that we are moving toward a better world. Some of the most life transforming spiritual teachings can be found in Part 3. Part IV is an inspiring biography of the life of Jesus. This 775-page narrative spans his life from his birth in Bethlehem to his death in Jerusalem. The authors describe his childhood, his teenage years, his travels and adventures, and his fascinating episodes of personal and public ministry.

Part 1. The Central and Super Universe:

The thirty-one Papers of Part I are a revelation of God and His original and perfect creation, the Central Universe. It includes an introduction to the vast and varied personalities of this creation, and their vital role in the eternal careers of mortals like you and me. We learn of God as a personality, and the value of each individual in the mind of God. We learn that: "The myriads of planetary systems were all made to be eventually inhabited by many different types of intelligent creatures, beings who could know God, receive the divine affection, and love him in return. " In Part 1, some of what you’ll learn is who God is, and where God resides; where the universe originates, how it’s organized, where it’s going, and how you fit into it; an understanding of the many types of beings who inhabit the universe; a glance at your life after death, and much more. After reading Part 1 of the Urantia Book, you’re guaranteed to know more about God than you’ve known your entire life. These teachings help you learn about and personally know God as your heavenly Father.

Part 2. The Local Universe:

Part II tells the story of our local universe, known as Nebadon, part of the Seventh Super Universe which whirls around the Central Universe and Paradise. These local universes are the handiwork of the Creator Sons of God, also known as Michael Sons. These Sons are the representatives of God to the mortals of creation. We learn of the local universe administration and celestial government that rules the part of the universe we live in. Our world, Urantia, belongs to a local universe whose sovereign leader is Michael of Nebadon. 2000 years ago this very leader of 10,000,000 inhabitable worlds lived on earth as the Son of God and the Son of Man, known on this world as Jesus of Nazareth. In these twenty-five Papers, the ascension plan for humankind is revealed, and we are told of mankind's thrilling destiny in eternity. In Part 2 some of what you’ll learn is Who Jesus was before he lived on Earth, where he lives now, and how he affects your life throughout eternity; how the local universe is administratively and astronomically organized ; The nature and role of celestial personalities, including your guardian angels; Who Satan and Lucifer are, and what happened in the Lucifer rebellion; Why earth struggles in confusion; What human life is like on advanced worlds; Where you go after you die and what happens following your resurrection; How you will meet loved ones and friends in the next worlds; and much more.

Part 3. The History of Urantia (Earth):

Part III tells the story of our planet, Urantia. In the long-ago days of universe organization and formation, certain planets became habitable to life. In the ensuing eras, the progress of such planets was monitored, and, when the time was right, life was brought and implanted on various worlds, including earth. The long, long development of our planet, the evolution of planetary life and human civilization is historically revealed in the thrilling pages that make up these sixty-three Papers of the book. We also learn of the Divine technique whereby God Himself sojourns with mortal man through the ministry of Thought Adjusters, actual fragments of God the Father, which indwell each person's mind, to assist and guide throughout our life in the flesh, and beyond. In Part 3 some of what you’ll learn: A scientific explanation of the origin of our solar system and our world; The stages of a divinely guided evolutionary process; The ages of fishes, birds, dinosaurs, and primates; How and why human life evolved on earth; The story of the first two human beings; the triumphs and tragedies of Van, Amadon, Adam and Eve, Melchizedek, Abraham, Moses, Lao-tse, Confucius, and other heroes of planetary history; the rise and fall of ancient civilizations such as the Garden of Eden; the bleak years of the Lucifer rebellion; the evolution of government and the path to world peace; principles for successful marriages and good families; how personal religion brings you lasting happiness; how the indwelling Spirit of God works to ensure your eternal survival; how to pray and worship more effectively; and how to overcome evil and suffering.

Part 4. The Life and Teachings of Jesus

The last seventy-seven Papers of Part IV of The Urantia Book reveal a year by year account of the life and teachings of Jesus including, his childhood, youth, teen years, world travels, occupations, family life, and his personal and public ministry. Set against the backdrop of the first three parts of the book, this amazing narrative covers Jesus' life - from his decision to undertake this monumental mission to earth, all the way through to his death on the cross and his glorious resurrection from the tomb. Nowhere else will one ever hope to find such a complete and replete portrayal of the life of Jesus. In an almost day-to-day narrative, the life of the Master is revealed, and his saving message of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is newly revealed to again shine the light of heavenly truth on this struggling world darkened by sin and rebellion. Today, more than ever, the religion of Jesus remains contemporary and relevant, and is destined to one day rehabilitate our planet.

The Jesus biography is the climax, the fitting conclusion of the Urantia revelation. Jesus' life and precepts, in their original form, unencumbered by tradition and dogma, are by far the greatest possible help that moral man can have in his age long climb to Paradise. "The great hope of Urantia lies in the possibility of a new revelation of Jesus with a new and enlarged presentation of his saving message which would spiritually unite in loving service the numerous families of his present day professed followers." "The time is ripe to witness the figurative resurrection of the human Jesus from his burial tomb amidst the theological traditions and the religious dogmas of nineteen centuries....What a transcendent service if, through this revelation, the Son of Man should be recovered from the tomb of traditional theology and be presented as the living Jesus to the church that bears his name, and to all other religions!" “What an awakening the world would experience if it could only see Jesus as he really lived on earth and know, firsthand, his life-giving teachings!”

While The Urantia Book's presentation of Jesus generally corresponds with the Bible, it stands unique, packed with new information and fresh insights. This detailed portrayal of Jesus emphasizes the religion of Jesus rather than the religion about Jesus. If you love Jesus as portrayed in the Bible, you will gain an even greater admiration and understanding of his life and teachings from Part IV of The Urantia Book. Some of what you’ll learn in Part 4 of the Urantia Book is the missing years of Jesus' life; the premature death of Jesus' father; Jesus helping to raise his seven brothers and sisters; Rebecca's proposal of marriage; Jesus' work as a carpenter, boat builder, scribe, teacher, and caravan conductor; his journeys to Egypt, Rome, and the Caspian Sea; his life with the apostles; stories of the hundreds of people Jesus helped; healing the sick; the dark days preceding the crucifixion; Jesus' resurrection and appearances; the power of the Spirit of Truth; and the mysterious nature of the human and divine Jesus.

Conclusion:

The Urantia Book is the fifth epochal Revelation to our world in our nearly one million years of human history. This bold new beacon of Truth, Beauty and Goodness to humanity - revealing a God of love - a Heavenly Father of all mankind, shall someday light up the world. All other epochal revelations have been in the form of personalities; this fifth revelation is in book form, and is designed to spread throughout the world for the next thousand years, illuminating our way, informing our development, and comforting our passage through this earth life and into eternity. The time has come for mankind to find new spiritual teachings commensurate with our intellectual and industrial advancements. The time has come to step forward from the religions of the past and enter the hope of all mankind, a God for all, and religion so personal and powerful that it will transform the world. Let the Urantia Book be your guide.