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==PAPER 2: THE NATURE OF GOD==

==PAPER 2: THE NATURE OF GOD==

2:0.1 Inasmuch as man's highest possible concept of God is embraced within the human idea and ideal of a primal and infinite personality, it is permissible, and may prove helpful, to study certain characteristics of the divine nature which constitute the character of Deity. The nature of God can best be understood by the revelation of the Father which Michael of Nebadon unfolded in his manifold teachings and in his superb mortal life in the flesh. The divine nature can also be better understood by man if he regards himself as a child of God and looks up to the Paradise Creator as a true spiritual Father.

2:0.1 Inasmuch as man's highest [[possible]] [[concept]] of [[God]] is [[embraced]] within the [[human]] [[idea]] and [[ideal]] of a primal and [[infinite]] [[personality]], it is permissible, and may prove helpful, to [[study]] certain [[Attributes|characteristics]] of the [[divine]] [[nature]] which constitute the [[character]] of [[Deity]]. The nature of God can best be [[understood]] by the [[revelation]] of [[the Father]] which [[Michael]] of [[Nebadon]] unfolded in his manifold [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents#Part_IV._The_Life_and_Teachings_of_Jesus teachings] and in his superb [[mortal]] life in the [[flesh]]. The divine nature can also be better understood by man if he regards himself as a child of God and looks up to the [[Paradise]] [[Creator]] as a true spiritual [[Father]].

2:0.2 The nature of God can be studied in a revelation of supreme ideas, the divine character can be envisaged as a portrayal of supernal ideals, but the most enlightening and spiritually edifying of all revelations of the divine nature is to be found in the comprehension of the religious life of Jesus of Nazareth, both before and after his attainment of full consciousness of divinity. If the incarnated life of Michael is taken as the background of the revelation of God to man, we may attempt to put in human word symbols certain ideas and ideals concerning the divine nature which may possibly contribute to a further illumination and unification of the human concept of the nature and the character of the personality of the Universal Father.

2:0.2 The nature of God can be studied in a [[revelation]] of [[supreme]] [[ideas]], the divine character can be envisaged as a portrayal of supernal [[ideals]], but the most [[enlightening]] and spiritually edifying of all [[revelations]] of the divine nature is to be found in the comprehension of the religious life of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]], both before and after his attainment of full [[consciousness]] of [[divinity]]. If the [[incarnated]] life of Michael is taken as the background of the revelation of God to man, we may attempt to put in human [[word]] [[symbols]] certain ideas and ideals concerning the divine nature which may possibly contribute to a further [[illumination]] and unification of the human concept of the nature and the character of the [[personality]] of [[the Universal Father]].

2:0.3 In all our efforts to enlarge and spiritualize the human concept of God, we are tremendously handicapped by the limited capacity of the mortal mind. We are also seriously handicapped in the execution of our assignment by the limitations of language and by the poverty of material which can be utilized for purposes of illustration or comparison in our efforts to portray divine values and to present spiritual meanings to the finite, mortal mind of man. All our efforts to enlarge the human concept of God would be well-nigh futile except for the fact that the mortal mind is indwelt by the bestowed Adjuster of the Universal Father and is pervaded by the Truth Spirit of the Creator Son. Depending, therefore, on the presence of these divine spirits within the heart of man for assistance in the enlargement of the concept of God, I cheerfully undertake the execution of my mandate to attempt the further portrayal of the nature of God to the mind of man.

2:0.3 In all our efforts to enlarge and spiritualize the human concept of God, we are tremendously handicapped by the limited [[Potential|capacity]] of the [[mortal]] [[mind]]. We are also seriously handicapped in the execution of our assignment by the limitations of [[language]] and by the poverty of [[material]] which can be utilized for [[purposes]] of illustration or comparison in our efforts to portray divine values and to present spiritual [[meanings]] to the [[finite]], [[mortal]] mind of man. All our efforts to enlarge the human concept of God would be well-nigh futile except for the [[fact]] that the mortal mind is indwelt by the [[Thought Adjuster|bestowed Adjuster]] of the [[Universal Father]] and is pervaded by the [[Spirit of Truth|Truth Spirit]] of the [[Creator Son]]. Depending, therefore, on the [[presence]] of these divine spirits within the [[heart]] of man for assistance in the enlargement of the concept of God, I cheerfully undertake the execution of my mandate to attempt the further portrayal of the nature of God to the mind of man.

==2:1. THE INFINITY OF GOD==

==2:1. THE INFINITY OF GOD==

2:1.1 "Touching the Infinite, we cannot find him out. The divine footsteps are not known." "His understanding is infinite and his greatness is unsearchable." The blinding light of the Father's presence is such that to his lowly creatures he apparently "dwells in the thick darkness." Not only are his thoughts and plans unsearchable, but "he does great and marvelous things without number." "God is great; we comprehend him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out." "Will God indeed dwell on the earth? Behold, the heaven (universe) and the heaven of heavens (universe of universes) cannot contain him." "How unsearchable are his judgments and his ways past finding out!"

2:1.1 "[[Touching]] the Infinite, we cannot find him out. The divine footsteps are not known." "His [[understanding]] is infinite and his greatness is unsearchable." The blinding [[light]] of [[the Father]]'s [[presence]] is such that to his lowly [[creatures]] he apparently "dwells in the thick [[darkness]]." Not only are his [[thoughts]] and plans unsearchable, but "he does great and marvelous [[things]] without [[number]]." "God is great; we comprehend him not, neither can the number of his years be searched out." "Will God indeed dwell on the [[earth]]? Behold, the [[heaven]] (universe) and the heaven of heavens ([[universe of universes]]) cannot contain him." "How unsearchable are his [[judgments]] and his ways past finding out!"

2:1.2 "There is but one God, the infinite Father, who is also a faithful Creator." "The divine Creator is also the Universal Disposer, the source and destiny of souls. He is the Supreme Soul, the Primal Mind, and the Unlimited Spirit of all creation." "The great Controller makes no mistakes. He is resplendent in majesty and glory." "The Creator God is wholly devoid of fear and enmity. He is immortal, eternal, self-existent, divine, and bountiful." "How pure and beautiful, how deep and unfathomable is the supernal Ancestor of all things!" "The Infinite is most excellent in that he imparts himself to men. He is the beginning and the end, the Father of every good and perfect purpose." "With God all things are possible; the eternal Creator is the cause of causes."

2:1.2 "There is but one God, the infinite Father, who is also a [[faithful]] Creator." "The divine Creator is also the Universal Disposer, the source and [[destiny]] of [[souls]]. He is [[the Supreme]] Soul, the Primal Mind, and the Unlimited Spirit of all creation." "The great Controller makes no mistakes. He is resplendent in [[majesty]] and [[glory]]." "The Creator God is wholly devoid of [[fear]] and enmity. He is immortal, [[eternal]], self-existent, [[divine]], and bountiful." "How [[pure]] and beautiful, how [[Profound|deep]] and unfathomable is the supernal Ancestor of [[Everything|all things]]!" "The Infinite is most excellent in that he imparts himself to men. He is the beginning and the end, the [[Father]] of every [[good]] and [[perfect]] [[purpose]]." "With God all things are possible; the eternal Creator is the [[cause]] of causes."

2:1.3 Notwithstanding the infinity of the stupendous manifestations of the Father's eternal and universal personality, he is unqualifiedly self-conscious of both his infinity and eternity; likewise he knows fully his perfection and power. He is the only being in the universe, aside from his divine co-ordinates, who experiences a perfect, proper, and complete appraisal of himself.

2:1.3 Notwithstanding the infinity of the stupendous [[manifestations]] of the Father's eternal and [[universal]] [[personality]], he is unqualifiedly self-conscious of both his infinity and eternity; likewise he knows fully his [[perfection]] and [[power]]. He is the only [[being]] in the universe, aside from his [[Paper 10 - The Paradise Trinity|divine co-ordinates]], who experiences a perfect, proper, and complete [[Self Evaluation|appraisal]] of himself.

2:1.4 The Father constantly and unfailingly meets the need of the differential of demand for himself as it changes from time to time in various sections of his master universe. The great God knows and understands himself; he is infinitely self-conscious of all his primal attributes of perfection. God is not a cosmic accident; neither is he a universe experimenter. The Universe Sovereigns may engage in adventure; the Constellation Fathers may experiment; the system heads may practice; but the Universal Father sees the end from the beginning, and his divine plan and eternal purpose actually embrace and comprehend all the experiments and all the adventures of all his subordinates in every world, system, and constellation in every universe of his vast domains.

2:1.4 [[The Father]] constantly and unfailingly meets the need of the differential of demand for himself as it [[changes]] from time to [[time]] in [Paper 15 - The Seven Superuniverses|various sections]] of his [[master universe]]. The great God knows and understands himself; he is infinitely self-conscious of all his primal [[attributes]] of [[perfection]]. God is not a [[cosmic]] [[accident]]; neither is he a universe [[experiment]]er. The [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_21#21:5._RELATION_OF_MASTER_SONS_TO_THE_UNIVERSE|Universe Sovereigns] may engage in [[adventure]]; the [[Most Highs|Constellation Fathers]] may [[experiment]]; the [[Paper 45 - The Local System Administration|system heads]] may [[practice]]; but the [[Universal Father]] sees the end from the beginning, and his divine plan and eternal [[purpose]] actually [[embrace]] and [[comprehend]] all the experiments and all the adventures of all his [[Paper 33 - Administration of the Local Universe|subordinates]] in every [[Paper 49 - The Inhabited Worlds|world]], [[Paper 46 - The Local System Headquarters|system]], and [[Paper 43 - The Constellations|constellation]] in [[Paper 15 - The Seven Superuniverses|every universe]] of his [[Master Universe|vast domains]].

2:1.5 No thing is new to God, and no cosmic event ever comes as a surprise; he inhabits the circle of eternity. He is without beginning or end of days. To God there is no past, present, or future; all time is present at any given moment. He is the great and only I AM.

2:1.5 No thing is new to God, and no [[cosmic]] [[event]] ever comes as a surprise; he inhabits the circle of eternity. He is without beginning or end of days. To God there is no past, present, or future; all [[time]] is present at any given [[moment]]. He is the great and only [[I AM]].

2:1.6 The Universal Father is absolutely and without qualification infinite in all his attributes; and this fact, in and of itself, automatically shuts him off from all direct personal communication with finite material beings and other lowly created intelligences.

2:1.6 The [[Universal Father]] is absolutely and without qualification infinite in all his [[attributes]]; and this [[fact]], in and of itself, [[automatic]]ally shuts him off from all [[Immediate|direct]] [[personal]] [[communication]] with [[finite]] [[material]] [[beings]] and other lowly created [[intelligence]]s.

2:1.7 And all this necessitates such arrangements for contact and communication with his manifold creatures as have been ordained, first, in the personalities of the Paradise Sons of God, who, although perfect in divinity, also often partake of the nature of the very flesh and blood of the planetary races, becoming one of you and one with you; thus, as it were, God becomes man, as occurred in the bestowal of Michael, who was called interchangeably the Son of God and the Son of Man. And second, there are the personalities of the Infinite Spirit, the various orders of the seraphic hosts and other celestial intelligences who draw near to the material beings of lowly origin and in so many ways minister to them and serve them. And third, there are the impersonal Mystery Monitors, Thought Adjusters, the actual gift of the great God himself sent to indwell such as the humans of Urantia, sent without announcement and without explanation. In endless profusion they descend from the heights of glory to grace and indwell the humble minds of those mortals who possess the capacity for God-consciousness or the potential therefor.

2:1.7 And all this [[Necessary|necessitates]] such arrangements for contact and [[communication]] with his manifold [[creatures]] as have been ordained, first, in the personalities of the [[Paper 20 - The Paradise Sons of God|Paradise Sons of God]], who, although [[perfect]] in [[divinity]], also often partake of the [[nature]] of the very [[Body|flesh and blood]] of the planetary [[races]], becoming one of you and one with you; thus, as it were, God becomes man, as occurred in the ]]Paper 120 - The Bestowal of Michael on Urantia|bestowal of Michael]], who was called interchangeably the Son of God and the Son of Man. And second, there are the [[Paper 38 - Ministering Spirits of the Local Universe|personalities of the Infinite Spirit]], the various [[Paper 39 - The Seraphic Hosts|orders of the seraphic hosts]] and other [[Midwayers|celestial intelligences]] who draw near to the [[Mortal|material beings]] of lowly origin and in so many ways minister to them and serve them. And third, there are the impersonal Mystery Monitors, [[Thought Adjusters]], the actual gift of the great [[God]] himself sent to indwell such as the [[humans]] of [[Urantia]], sent without announcement and without explanation. In endless profusion they [[descend]] from the heights of [[glory]] to [[grace]] and indwell the humble minds of those [[mortals]] who possess the capacity for [[God-consciousness]] or the [[potential]] therefor.

2:1.8 In these ways and in many others, in ways unknown to you and utterly beyond finite comprehension, does the Paradise Father lovingly and willingly downstep and otherwise modify, dilute, and attenuate his infinity in order that he may be able to draw nearer the finite minds of his creature children. And so, through a series of personality distributions which are diminishingly absolute, the infinite Father is enabled to enjoy close contact with the diverse intelligences of the many realms of his far-flung universe.

2:1.8 In these ways and in many others, in ways unknown to you and utterly beyond finite [[comprehension]], does the [[Paradise]] [[Father]] lovingly and willingly downstep and otherwise modify, dilute, and attenuate his [[infinity]] in order that he may be able to draw nearer the finite minds of his [[creature]] [[children]]. And so, through a series of [[personality]] distributions which are diminishingly [[absolute]], the infinite Father is enabled to enjoy close contact with the diverse intelligences of the many realms of his [[Master Universe|far-flung universe]].

2:1.9 All this he has done and now does, and evermore will continue to do, without in the least detracting from the fact and reality of his infinity, eternity, and primacy. And these things are absolutely true, notwithstanding the difficulty of their comprehension, the mystery in which they are enshrouded, or the impossibility of their being fully understood by creatures such as dwell on Urantia.

2:1.9 All this he has done and now does, and evermore will continue to do, without in the least detracting from the [[fact]] and [[reality]] of his infinity, eternity, and primacy. And these [[things]] are absolutely true, notwithstanding the difficulty of their [[comprehension]], the [[mystery]] in which they are enshrouded, or the impossibility of their being fully understood by [[creatures]] such as dwell on [[Urantia]].

2:1.10 Because the First Father is infinite in his plans and eternal in his purposes, it is inherently impossible for any finite being ever to grasp or comprehend these divine plans and purposes in their fullness. Mortal man can glimpse the Father's purposes only now and then, here and there, as they are revealed in relation to the outworking of the plan of creature ascension on its successive levels of universe progression. Though man cannot encompass the significance of infinity, the infinite Father does most certainly fully comprehend and lovingly embrace all the finity of all his children in all universes.

2:1.10 Because the [[Universal Father|First Father]] is infinite in his plans and eternal in his [[purposes]], it is inherently impossible for any [[finite]] [[being]] ever to grasp or comprehend these divine plans and purposes in their fullness. [[Mortal]] man can glimpse the Father's purposes only [[Moment|now and then]], here and there, as they are revealed in relation to the outworking of the [[Ascension Career|plan of creature ascension]] on its successive levels of [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_118#118:8._CONTROL_AND_OVERCONTROL|universe progression]. Though man cannot [[encompass]] the significance of infinity, the infinite Father does most certainly fully comprehend and lovingly [[embrace]] all the finity of all his [[children]] in [[Universe of Universes|all universes]].

2:1.11 Divinity and eternity the Father shares with large numbers of the higher Paradise beings, but we question whether infinity and consequent universal primacy is fully shared with any save his co-ordinate associates of the Paradise Trinity. Infinity of personality must, perforce, embrace all finitude of personality; hence the truth—literal truth—of the teaching which declares that "In Him we live and move and have our being." That fragment of the pure Deity of the Universal Father which indwells mortal man is a part of the infinity of the First Great Source and Center, the Father of Fathers.

2:1.11 Divinity and eternity [[the Father]] shares with large numbers of the [Paper 16 - The Seven Master Spirits higher Paradise] [[beings]], but we question whether infinity and consequent [[universal]] primacy is fully shared with any save his co-ordinate associates of the [[Paradise Trinity]]. Infinity of personality must, perforce, embrace all finitude of personality; hence the [[truth]]—[[literal]] truth—of the teaching which declares that "In Him we live and move and have our being." That [[Fraction|fragment]] of the [[pure]] [[Deity]] of the Universal Father which indwells mortal man is a part of the infinity of the [[First Great Source and Center]], the [[Universal Father|Father of Fathers]].

==2:2. THE FATHER'S ETERNAL PERFECTION==

==2:2. THE FATHER'S ETERNAL PERFECTION==

2:2.1 Even your olden prophets understood the eternal, never-beginning, never-ending, circular nature of the Universal Father. God is literally and eternally present in his universe of universes. He inhabits the present moment with all his absolute majesty and eternal greatness. "The Father has life in himself, and this life is eternal life." Throughout the eternal ages it has been the Father who "gives to all life." There is infinite perfection in the divine integrity. "I am the Lord; I change not." Our knowledge of the universe of universes discloses not only that he is the Father of lights, but also that in his conduct of interplanetary affairs there "is no variableness neither shadow of changing." He "declares the end from the beginning." He says: "My counsel shall stand; I will do all my pleasures" "according to the eternal purpose which I purposed in my Son." Thus are the plans and purposes of the First Source and Center like himself: eternal, perfect, and forever changeless.

2:2.1 Even your olden [[prophets]] understood the [[eternal]], never-beginning, never-ending, [[Circle|circular]] nature of the Universal Father. God is [[literally]] and eternally [[Presence|present]] in his [[universe of universes]]. He inhabits the present [[moment]] with all his [[absolute]] [[majesty]] and eternal greatness. "The Father has life in himself, and this life is eternal life." Throughout the eternal ages it has been the Father who "gives to all life." There is infinite [[perfection]] in the [[divine]] [[integrity]]. "I am the Lord; I change not." Our [[knowledge]] of the [[Multiverse|universe of universes]] discloses not only that he is the Father of lights, but also that in his conduct of interplanetary affairs there "is no variableness neither [[shadow]] of [[Change|changing]]." He "declares the end from the beginning." He says: "My [[counsel]] shall stand; I will do all my [[pleasures]]" "according to the eternal [[purpose]] which I purposed in [[Eternal Son|my Son]]." Thus are the plans and purposes of the [[First Source and Center]] like himself: eternal, perfect, and forever changeless.

2:2.2 There is finality of completeness and perfection of repleteness in the mandates of the Father. "Whatsoever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it." The Universal Father does not repent of his original purposes of wisdom and perfection. His plans are steadfast, his counsel immutable, while his acts are divine and infallible. "A thousand years in his sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night." The perfection of divinity and the magnitude of eternity are forever beyond the full grasp of the circumscribed mind of mortal man.

2:2.2 There is finality of completeness and perfection of repleteness in the [[mandate]]s of the Father. "Whatsoever God does, it shall be forever; nothing can be added to it nor anything taken from it." The [[Universal Father]] does not repent of his [[original]] [[purpose]]s of [[wisdom]] and [[perfection]]. His plans are steadfast, his [[counsel]] immutable, while his [[acts]] are divine and [[infallible]]. "A thousand years in his sight are but as yesterday when it is past and as a watch in the night." The perfection of divinity and the magnitude of eternity are forever beyond the [[Undesrtanding|full grasp]] of the circumscribed mind of [[mortal]] man.

2:2.3 The reactions of a changeless God, in the execution of his eternal purpose, may seem to vary in accordance with the changing attitude and the shifting minds of his created intelligences; that is, they may apparently and superficially vary; but underneath the surface and beneath all outward manifestations, there is still present the changeless purpose, the everlasting plan, of the eternal God.

2:2.3 The [[reaction]]s of a changeless God, in the execution of his eternal purpose, may seem to vary in accordance with the changing [[attitude]] and the shifting minds of his created intelligences; that is, they may apparently and superficially vary; but underneath the surface and beneath all outward [[manifestations]], there is still present the changeless purpose, the everlasting plan, of the eternal God.

2:2.4 Out in the universes, perfection must necessarily be a relative term, but in the central universe and especially on Paradise, perfection is undiluted; in certain phases it is even absolute. Trinity manifestations vary the exhibition of the divine perfection but do not attenuate it.

2:2.4 Out in the [[Superuniverse|universes]], [[perfection]] must necessarily be a [[relative]] term, but in the [[Havona|central universe]] and especially on [[Paradise]], perfection is undiluted; in certain [[phases]] it is even [[absolute]]. [[Trinity]] manifestations vary the [[Demonstration|exhibition]] of the divine perfection but do not attenuate it.

2:2.5 God's primal perfection consists not in an assumed righteousness but rather in the inherent perfection of the goodness of his divine nature. He is final, complete, and perfect. There is no thing lacking in the beauty and perfection of his righteous character. And the whole scheme of living existences on the worlds of space is centered in the divine purpose of elevating all will creatures to the high destiny of the experience of sharing the Father's Paradise perfection. God is neither self-centered nor self-contained; he never ceases to bestow himself upon all self-conscious creatures of the vast universe of universes.

2:2.5 God's primal perfection consists not in an assumed righteousness but rather in the inherent perfection of the [[goodness]] of his divine nature. He is final, complete, and perfect. There is no thing lacking in the [[beauty]] and perfection of his righteous [[character]]. And the whole scheme of living [[existence]]s on the worlds of space is [[center]]ed in the divine purpose of elevating all [[Free will|will]] [[creatures]] to the high [[destiny]] of the [[experience]] of [[sharing]] [[the Father]]'s [[Paradise]] [[perfection]]. God is neither self-centered nor self-contained; he never ceases to bestow himself upon all self-conscious creatures of the vast [[universe of universes]].

2:2.6 God is eternally and infinitely perfect, he cannot personally know imperfection as his own experience, but he does share the consciousness of all the experience of imperfectness of all the struggling creatures of the evolutionary universes of all the Paradise Creator Sons. The personal and liberating touch of the God of perfection overshadows the hearts and encircuits the natures of all those mortal creatures who have ascended to the universe level of moral discernment. In this manner, as well as through the contacts of the divine presence, the Universal Father actually participates in the experience with immaturity and imperfection in the evolving career of every moral being of the entire universe.

2:2.6 God is eternally and infinitely perfect, he cannot personally know imperfection as his own experience, but he does [[share]] the [[consciousness]] of all the experience of imperfectness of all the [[Paper 40 - The Ascending Sons of God|struggling creatures]] of the [[Paper 15 - The Seven Superuniverses|evolutionary universes]] of all the [[Paradise]] [[Paper 21 - The Paradise Creator Sons|Creator Sons]]. The [[personal]] and liberating [[touch]] of the God of perfection overshadows the [[hearts]] and [[encircuits]] the natures of all those [[mortal]] [[creatures]] who have ascended to the universe level of [[moral]] [[discernment]]. In this [[manner]], as well as through the contacts of the [[divine]] [[presence]], the Universal Father actually participates in the experience with immaturity and imperfection in the [[Ascension Career|evolving career]] of every [[moral]] [[being]] of the [[Grand Universe|entire universe]].

2:2.7 Human limitations, potential evil, are not a part of the divine nature, but mortal experience with evil and all man's relations thereto are most certainly a part of God's ever-expanding self-realization in the children of time—creatures of moral responsibility who have been created or evolved by every Creator Son going out from Paradise.

2:2.7 Human [[limitation]]s, [[potential]] [[evil]], are not a part of the divine nature, but [[mortal]] [[experience]] with evil and all man's [[relations]] thereto are most certainly a part of [[Paper 118 - Supreme and Ulitimate-Time and Space|God's ever-expanding]] [[self-realization]] in the [[children]] of [[time]]—[[creatures]] of [[moral]] [[responsibility]] who have been created or evolved by every [[Creator Son]] going out from [[Paradise]].

==2:3. JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS==

==2:3. JUSTICE AND RIGHTEOUSNESS==

2:3.1 God is righteous; therefore is he just. "The Lord is righteous in all his ways." "`I have not done without cause all that I have done,' says the Lord." "The judgments of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." The justice of the Universal Father cannot be influenced by the acts and performances of his creatures, "for there is no iniquity with the Lord our God, no respect of persons, no taking of gifts."

2:3.1 God is righteous; therefore is he [[Justice|just]]. "The Lord is righteous in all his ways." "`I have not done without cause all that I have done,' says the Lord." "The [[Decision|judgments]] of the Lord are true and righteous altogether." The justice of the [[Universal Father]] cannot be influenced by the acts and [[performances]] of his [[creatures]], "for there is no [[iniquity]] with the Lord our God, no [[respect]] of persons, no taking of gifts."

2:3.2 How futile to make puerile appeals to such a God to modify his changeless decrees so that we can avoid the just consequences of the operation of his wise natural laws and righteous spiritual mandates! "Be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." True, even in the justice of reaping the harvest of wrongdoing, this divine justice is always tempered with mercy. Infinite wisdom is the eternal arbiter which determines the proportions of justice and mercy which shall be meted out in any given circumstance. The greatest punishment (in reality an inevitable consequence) for wrongdoing and deliberate rebellion against the government of God is loss of existence as an individual subject of that government. The final result of wholehearted sin is annihilation. In the last analysis, such sin-identified individuals have destroyed themselves by becoming wholly unreal through their embrace of iniquity. The factual disappearance of such a creature is, however, always delayed until the ordained order of justice current in that universe has been fully complied with.

2:3.2 How futile to make puerile [[Prayer|appeals]] to such a [[God]] to modify his changeless decrees so that we can avoid the just consequences of the operation of his wise natural laws and righteous spiritual mandates! "Be not deceived; God is not mocked, for whatsoever a man sows that shall he also reap." True, even in the justice of reaping the harvest of wrongdoing, this divine justice is always tempered with mercy. Infinite wisdom is the eternal arbiter which determines the proportions of justice and mercy which shall be meted out in any given circumstance. The greatest punishment (in reality an inevitable consequence) for wrongdoing and deliberate rebellion against the government of God is loss of existence as an individual subject of that government. The final result of wholehearted sin is annihilation. In the last analysis, such sin-identified individuals have destroyed themselves by becoming wholly unreal through their embrace of iniquity. The factual disappearance of such a creature is, however, always delayed until the ordained order of justice current in that universe has been fully complied with.

2:3.3 Cessation of existence is usually decreed at the dispensational or epochal adjudication of the realm or realms. On a world such as Urantia it comes at the end of a planetary dispensation. Cessation of existence can be decreed at such times by co-ordinate action of all tribunals of jurisdiction, extending from the planetary council up through the courts of the Creator Son to the judgment tribunals of the Ancients of Days. The mandate of dissolution originates in the higher courts of the superuniverse following an unbroken confirmation of the indictment originating on the sphere of the wrongdoer's residence; and then, when sentence of extinction has been confirmed on high, the execution is by the direct act of those judges residential on, and operating from, the headquarters of the superuniverse.

2:3.3 Cessation of existence is usually decreed at the dispensational or epochal adjudication of the realm or realms. On a world such as Urantia it comes at the end of a planetary dispensation. Cessation of existence can be decreed at such times by co-ordinate action of all tribunals of jurisdiction, extending from the planetary council up through the courts of the Creator Son to the judgment tribunals of the Ancients of Days. The mandate of dissolution originates in the higher courts of the superuniverse following an unbroken confirmation of the indictment originating on the sphere of the wrongdoer's residence; and then, when sentence of extinction has been confirmed on high, the execution is by the direct act of those judges residential on, and operating from, the headquarters of the superuniverse.