Urantia Book Forum : Discussion Board : Study Group

Okay fellow Urantians, I have a good question that is sure to inspire discussion.

Since we are told that dispensations occur at points of human history when epochal revelations are made, did we have one prior to 1935 (when the book was written), or is one upon us in the not-too-distant future?

For those who don't know what a dispensation is, its when the all those who have died in the past period of time (since Jesus's day) are resurrected at the same time.

In other words, did the bus just leave for Mansonia, or is the bus just now loading for the next dispensation which would occur when the next Revelation occurs (possibly in conjunction with the arrival of a Magisterial Son, a Melchizadek visit, the Return of Christ Michael, or some other Revelatory event)?

Let me conclude by saying that for me personally, its inconsequential if we just missed the dispensation, but if it did just occur, then this would mean we are in fact part of the next age and not part of the last age of ascendant survivors. This concept puts a whole new spin on the times we are living in.

I thought I would get response. hmm...guess I overestimated the topic.

Let me say it another way....

Does any think the arrival of the Urantia Book signaled the end of one age and the beginning of another?

Or, another way of stating it...are we the last generation of the current age, or the first generation of the new age?

The reason this question is fascinating to me is because so many people expect the Second Coming to arrive at any moment, and my thought is maybe the Urantia Book was the Second Coming, and it may be a thousand or so years before another dispensation occurs.

And if that is the case, then The Urantia Book is the last message we get from our friends for awhile, so the Urantia Book is really the book that prepares us for the next heavenly visit.

Hi jawkins,

I would say that the "Christian dispensation" is still ongoing:

You know when the fig tree shows its tender branches and puts forth its leaves that summer is near. Likewise, when the world has passed through the long winter of material-mindedness and you discern the coming of the spiritual springtime of a new dispensation, should you know that the summertime of a new visitation draws near.


After Pentecost:

The complete secularization of science, education, industry, and society can lead only to disaster. During the first third of the twentieth century Urantians killed more human beings than were killed during the whole of the Christian dispensation up to that time. And this is only the beginning of the dire harvest of materialism and secularism; still more terrible destruction is yet to come.

By teaching that the kingdom is within, by exalting the individual, Jesus struck the deathblow of the old society in that he ushered in the new dispensation of true social righteousness. This new order of society the world has little known because it has refused to practice the principles of the gospel of the kingdom of heaven. And when this kingdom of spiritual pre-eminence does come upon the earth, it will not be manifested in mere improved social and material conditions, but rather in the glories of those enhanced and enriched spiritual values which are characteristic of the approaching age of improved human relations and advancing spiritual attainments.

Mistake not! there is in the teachings of Jesus an eternal nature which will not permit them forever to remain unfruitful in the hearts of thinking men. The kingdom as Jesus conceived it has to a large extent failed on earth; for the time being, an outward church has taken its place; but you should comprehend that this church is only the larval stage of the thwarted spiritual kingdom, which will carry it through this material age and over into a more spiritual dispensation where the Master's teachings may enjoy a fuller opportunity for development.



Colter

Hi J Watkins

I just saw your post. I think its very intriguing. I'm not sure where we at to be honest. The only thing that I was told that The UB came in early. If that is true then I feel it was brought in to prepare and initiate change through the inspiration it offers the student through knowledge and the experiential aspects of knowledge.

In my heart I feel we are heading towards transition I think we are in, the between time of the official proclamation of the new epoch. If Im correct with my research to the ancient foundations I think we are very close and I feel transition has all to do with the foundations and the prophecies attached.

I think the UB kicked of the transition which is still happening.

Hi Colter

I really enjoyed your post. I can really identify to what you posted and I think we are in the moment or process. It seems to be obvious! I feel that great enlightenment will come from the ancient places and other discoveries.

I suppose it reeally depends on whats there and well perserved it all is??

Its a point where one really rely on heaven in its outcome. As far as Im concerned this whole revealment represents a fantastic opportunity for heaven and its voice to be heard and witnessed.
regards
sevens

thanks or the response thus far.

I have no doubt that the process of this transition from one age to another is ongoing. It probably started (the shift) when the telephone was invented.

I am also sure that the Revelators planted the UB to coincide with this shift in intellectual development that started to occur in the mid-20th century.

It is very exciting to be on earth at this time and to be a witness to this shift of conciousness. No doubt that over the next several centuries the spiritual evolution will be further augmented by the Revelation. Even now, I can see the influences the UB is having, yes very subtle, but still evident.
(notice the concentric circles are starting the show up in the media (the AT&T logo, for example)

Of course, my orginal question remains, was a roll call of sleeping survivors made prior to the UB's appearance, or is it set to occur in the not-too-distant future?

I am leaning towards the idea that the dispensation already occured , and we are the first generation of the newest age of ascendant mortals of Urantia.

Jim,

On a personal level, the UB kicked off for me one Major Point
of Consciousness that has made a big difference in everyday living.

I had bought the idea that we could pray away a tornado or
hurricane or other natural disaster. Or we could pray for a special
protection that could protect our particular abode.

Every year many hurricanes begin off the west coast of Africa,
and move along a path through the Carribbean, past the Bahamas,
near Key West. A person living in Key West dwells in "hurricane
alley."

The fact that people live in those areas has no significance to the hurricanes.

This scenario can be applied to people who live near volcanoes,
or near earthquake faults.

I feel lots of us are waiting for something from the heavens - to the point we
border on impotence.

The UB has helped me to realize we have inherited a certain type of
planet. Turning to God on a daily basis is important. It is what
constitutes "spiritual living." But praying that natural forces go our
way all the time is simply not realistic.

Overall, the UB has helped me to do more than wait.

Life is about plans, decisions, and actions on my part - not just
on God's Part.

I can stay or move away from hurricane alley - or from certain
human relationships that are unhealthy.

This has been human life since ancient times.

Hello Everyone

According to this quote I found in the section "Terrestrial Escape," excepting special resurrections such as advanced mortals who arise on the third day and the millennial resurrections... in the 'early ages' which we could plausibly still be a part of... dispensations or en masse resurrection 'roll calls' happen at the beginning of the service of a Paradise Son. So perhaps a large group became resurrected seven years ago at the turn of the millennium, I wonder how many readers thought about that at the time.

49:6.3 Throughout the earlier ages of an inhabited world, many are called to the mansion spheres at the special and the millennial resurrections, but most survivors are repersonalized at the inauguration of a new dispensation associated with the advent of a divine Son of planetary service.

30:4.4 It was said of Christ Michael that, when he ascended on high at the conclusion of his work on earth, "He led a great multitude of captives." And these captives were the sleeping survivors from the days of Adam to the day of the Master's resurrection on Urantia.

Good point. Then you may be correct, the next resurrection will be when the next Son arrives - and not just because the UB arrived - or at the turn of the millinineum.

Thanks for your insight.

No worries



However I feel we are offset from the turn of the century by seven years. If we go the UB date for Jesus, this year is the turn of the century.

Seems appropriate in light of the current drive to the ancient places and what has been discovered in the books.

I know the Egyptian Book of the Dead speaks about the 21syt Pylon = 21st Century slow at heart, like slow to catch on. Mankind it speaks of.

Anyway I still think that the sleeping survivors will awaken at a critical mass moment. Perhaps in a discovery of something significant and self realizing.

In my view if Im the right track in this research and the path, I think man is very slow to click on. There must be only a hand full of people.
I also found that this condition is spoken of in Isaiah and in the Dead sea scrolls.

Very few people will even acknowledge this. If anything it will be realisation after the fact. Which would be disappointing and is not the point of the journey to the places. I think the point is faith beforehand, that's the real test.


Sevens