Spiritual Advice and Guidance Blog: Urantia Book

Q: Why do people struggle to believe the noble and enlightening truths in these revealed papers? The Bible says that in the end times, the earth shall be filled with knowlegde and the glory of the Lord. I believe that this revelation is just the begining of a series of revelations to flood the world for the sake of the salvation of the souls of men. Our generation must desist from stiff-neckedness and unnecessary prejudice. Otherwise, they will miss Jesus again like the Jews missed him during the Masters sojourn on earth.

A: Why do people struggle with Urantia Book truths? It could be that some people are just not spiritually hungry - it could be that some are frightened by the idea of spiritual freedom - but for many, it is hard to accept a new revelation of a loving God who does not have it in for them. Jesus' message of the Fatherhood of God and the brotherhood of man is such a simple and uplifting truth, but it is hard for many to accept that they are ennobled sons of God and not sinful wretches. What if this revelation is wrong, and hell is real? To accept the teachings of The Urantia Book requires faith, and a willingness to hear the truth in one's innermost being, and to trust in the revelation of God that Jesus embodied - a God of love and mercy; it requires a willingness to accept the spiritual mandates of Jesus to "love one another;" a willingness to actually live the religion OF Jesus. AND it requires the willingness to question all the "sacred cows" of the religions of authority. For some, this is more than they can do; they lack the "ears to hear."

Remember the Parables of the Sower? These parables were a powerful truth in Jesus time, and they are true in our times, too.

This revelation has been on the planet for a little over 50 years, and is only now being disseminated over the internet. It is meant to minister to this planet for a long time, but I hope it does not take centuries before we realize as a planet what a gift we have been given. As you say, the Jews missed him - and he ended up losing his life prematurely as a result of fear and suspicion. (As you so aptly put it: "stiff-neckedness and unnecessary prejudice.") As a result, the original message of Jesus became contaminated and adulterated, to everyone's detriment.

The good news about this revelation is that it is in book form, and cannot be killed, so it is up to us who understand what it is to put it into practice in our lives, and spread the good news as we are called to do. It will take time, but I pray that those who are seeking will find these truths before long, so that the kingdom is enlarged, and we begin to see more of the effects of these truths on our tired old world.

Thanks again for writing - great question, and a thoughtful subject...

Labels: Jesus, parables, revelation, struggle, The Urantia Book

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Friday, April 07, 2006

How can people find the truth in their lives when Jesus Christ kept the truth from the common people, only to be disclosed to his direct followers?

Q: How can people find the truth in their lives when Jesus Christ kept the truth from the common people, only to be disclosed to his direct followers? (Math. 13.10 or Mark 4.33) It's been a question with me for a long time. Thanks for listening

A: While it's true that Jesus often taught by a new and challenging method, by parables, he in no way kept the truth from the common people. It was the common people he had come specifically to instruct -- but he did teach his apostles more advanced concepts because they would be the ones teaching the common people once he was gone -- however the primary focus of his message, that we are each a unique child of the Father in heaven who loves us equally, that we are therefore spiritually all brothers and sisters and should treat one another as such to bring the heavenly kingdom to earth -- that was openly taught and is as valuable for us to recognize today as it was when it was a new concept 2000 years ago. Jesus didn't tell his apostles anything more valuable to their spiritual life than what he told to the common people.

By teaching in parables Jesus didn't just say here's the way it is -- he provided meaningful stories and anecdotes that caused the listeners to think and to derive meanings of their own from the lessons contained within. And when Jesus left he bestowed upon the world his spirit, the Spirit of Truth, the Comforter, which makes it possible for any truth seeker from that day to this to be guided toward progressively more meaningful truth. The message Jesus left was forceful and encompassing enough to change the course of history through the common people.

Thank you for your question. May I recommend that if you're not already signed up that you consider subscribing to the Quote of the Day. It's a free service from this site that offers a daily quote from the incomparable teachings of this marvelous book along with a beautiful and inspiring image, a great way to start one's day as well as to begin to understand the teachings of the book. To subscribe go to the upper right corner of our home page, click on Quote of the Day and follow the instructions.

Also your question is a good one which we've added it to our discussion board so that you can have the benefit of the thoughtful responses of our online Urantia Book reader community. You can visit this board and see these responses by clicking here: http://forums.truthbook.com/viewforum.php?f=11. and going to the forum titled "Questions & Answers."

Best wishes,
Larry Watkins
Truthbook.com

Labels: apostles, Jesus, Larry Watkins, parables, Spirit of Truth

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