I'm new here

Hi Gerry. Welcome. I don't think there is an organizational chart of universe hierarchy, although I would find that a fascinating study.

Our common idea of hierarchy is generally based on our mortal politics and policies. The values conveyed in the Urantia Papers' portrayal of universe hierarchy presents to me a picture of the many and varied degrees of divine love and ministry, not judgment. And this has helped a great deal in my opening up to the love of God and allowing Him to be a personal religious experience, instead of merely a figurehead of divinity.

Quote:

The highest religious experience is not dependent on prior acts of belief, tradition, and authority; neither is religion the offspring of sublime feelings and purely mystical emotions. It is, rather, a profoundly deep and actual experience of spiritual communion with the spirit influences resident within the human mind,... (P.1105 - §1)

Meanwhile, our consciousness, over time, does expand to include other dimensions, other interpretations of other universe citizens and the role they play in our edification and enlightenment, if any. For example, the Ancients of Days, who are very high up on the scale.

When I first heard of Judgment Day, for example I saw God as a guy with the long beard, holding a list of all the sins I had committed, determining whether I would live or die, and would I go to heaven or hell. This mental image interfered with my love for him, for how can you love what you fear? But when I learned about the Ancients of Days, my anxieties were greatly assuaged, especially as to the Father/child relationship.

Quote:

Mandates of judgment originate in the local universes, but sentences involving the extinction of will creatures are always formulated on, and executed from, the headquarters of the superuniverse. The Sons of the local universes can decree the survival of mortal man, but only the Ancients of Days may sit in executive judgment on the issues of eternal life and death. (P.180 - §3)

In contrast, I have come to believe that my guardian angel, who is very near me and watches out for me, is from an order of ministering spirits, one of the millions upon millions of seraphim, cherubim, sanobim, seconophim and tertiaphim, that oversee the universe children of our Eternal Parents.

Quote:

In the life of the flesh the intelligence of angels is not directly available to mortal men. They are not overlords or directors; they are simply guardians. The seraphim guard you; they do not seek directly to influence you; you must chart your own course, but these angels then act to make the best possible use of the course you have chosen. (P.1246 - §3)

Incidently, as to nomenclature and gender, I have an odd name, and I have noticed a tendency for people to think I am a guy when they first hear from me, but when they learn I am a female, often their tone of voice changes, which is unfortunate and probably totally unconscious but it does lead me to think that men prefer talking to men because they are presumed to be more reasonable, rational and mental, whereas women are presumed to be more intuitive, emotional, and irrelevant.

As for me, these days I am far more concerned about the hierarchy of humans (especially gender equality) than I am about the cosmic scheme of things, because as women attain to their rightful dignity status, our world will become less barbaric and I am sick of war.

Quote:

The apostles were at first shocked by, but early became accustomed to, Jesus' treatment of women; he made it very clear to them that women were to be accorded equal rights with men in the kingdom. (P.1546 - §2)

Anyway, I just wanted to say hello, to make your acquaintance, and to extend my hope that your time with truthbook be satisfying and fruitful.

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