Changes

==169:3. THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR==

==169:3. THE RICH MAN AND THE BEGGAR==

169:3.1 When the meeting became too noisy, Simon Peter, standing up, took charge, saying: " Men and brethren, it is not seemly thus to dispute among yourselves. The Master has spoken, and you do well to ponder his words. And this is no new doctrine which he proclaimed to you. Have you not also heard the allegory of the Nazarites concerning the rich man and the beggar? Some of us heard John the Baptist thunder this parable of warning to those who love riches and covet dishonest wealth. And while this olden parable is not according to the gospel we preach, you would all do well to heed its lessons until such a time as you comprehend the new light of the kingdom of heaven. The story as John told it was like this:

169:3.1 When the [[meeting]] became too [[noisy]], [[Simon Peter]], standing up, took [[Control|charge]], saying: " Men and brethren, it is not seemly thus to [[dispute]] among yourselves. [[The Master]] has spoken, and you do well to [[ponder]] his [[words]]. And this is no new [[doctrine]] which he [[proclaimed]] to you. Have you not also heard the [[allegory]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazirite Nazarites] concerning the [[rich]] man and the [[beggar]]? Some of us heard [[John the Baptist]] thunder this [[parable]] of [[warning]] to those who [[love]] riches and [[covet]] dishonest [[wealth]]. And while this olden [[parable]] is not according to the [[gospel]] we [[preach]], you would all do well to heed its lessons until such a time as you [[comprehend]] the new [[light]] of [[the kingdom]] of heaven. The [[story]] as [[John the Baptist|John]] told it was like this:

169:3.2 " There was a certain rich man named Dives, who, being clothed in purple and fine linen, lived in mirth and splendor every day. And there was a certain beggar named Lazarus, who laid at this rich man's gate, covered with sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the rich man's table; yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the beggar died and was carried away by the angels to rest in Abraham's bosom. And then, presently, this rich man also died and was buried with great pomp and regal splendor. When the rich man departed from this world, he waked up in Hades, and finding himself in torment, he lifted up his eyes and beheld Abraham afar off and Lazarus in his bosom. And then Dives cried aloud: `Father Abraham, have mercy on me and send over Lazarus that he may dip the tip of his finger in water to cool my tongue, for I am in great anguish because of my punishment.' And then Abraham replied: `My son, you should remember that in your lifetime you enjoyed the good things while Lazarus in like manner suffered the evil. But now all this is changed, seeing that Lazarus is comforted while you are tormented. And besides, between us and you there is a great gulf so that we cannot go to you, neither can you come over to us.' Then said Dives to Abraham: `I pray you send Lazarus back to my father's house, inasmuch as I have five brothers, that he may so testify as to prevent my brothers from coming to this place of torment.' But Abraham said: `My son, they have Moses and the prophets; let them hear them.' And then answered Dives: `No, No, Father Abraham! but if one go to them from the dead, they will repent.' And then said Abraham: `If they hear not Moses and the prophets, neither will they be persuaded even if one were to rise from the dead.' "

169:3.2 " There was a certain [[rich]] man named [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives Dives], who, being clothed in purple and fine linen, lived in [[mirth]] and [[splendor]] every day. And there was a certain [[beggar]] named Lazarus, who laid at this [[rich]] man's gate, covered with sores and desiring to be fed with the crumbs which fell from the [[rich]] man's table; yes, even the dogs came and licked his sores. And it came to pass that the [[beggar]] died and was carried away by the [[angels]] to rest in [[Abraham]]'s [[bosom]]. And then, presently, this [[rich]] man also [[died]] and was [[buried]] with great pomp and regal [[splendor]]. When the [[rich]] man departed from this world, he [[waked]] up in [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hades Hades], and finding himself in torment, he lifted up his eyes and beheld [[Abraham]] afar off and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives Lazarus] in his [[bosom]]. And then Dives cried aloud: `Father [[Abraham]], have [[mercy]] on me and send over [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives Lazarus] that he may dip the tip of his finger in [[water]] to cool my tongue, for I am in great [[anguish]] because of my [[punishment]].' And then [[Abraham]] replied: `My son, you should [[remember]] that in your lifetime you enjoyed the [[good]] things while [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives Lazarus] in like [[manner]] [[suffered]] the [[evil]]. But now all this is [[changed]], seeing that Lazarus is [[comforted]] while you are tormented. And besides, between us and you there is a great gulf so that we cannot go to you, neither can you come over to us.' Then said [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives Dives] to [[Abraham]]: `I [[pray]] you send Lazarus back to my [[father]]'s [[Home|house]], inasmuch as I have five [[brothers]], that he may so [[testify]] as to [[prevent]] my brothers from coming to this place of [[torment]].' But [[Abraham]] said: `My son, they have [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] and the [[prophets]]; let them hear them.' And then answered Dives: `No, No, Father [[Abraham]]! but if one go to them from the [[dead]], they will [[repent]].' And then said [[Abraham]]: `If they hear not [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Moses Moses] and the [[prophets]], neither will they be [[persuaded]] even if one were to rise from the [[dead]].' "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_Luke#Chapter_16]

169:3.3 After Peter had recited this ancient parable of the Nazarite brotherhood, and since the crowd had quieted down, Andrew arose and dismissed them for the night. Although both the apostles and his disciples frequently asked Jesus questions about the parable of Dives and Lazarus, he never consented to make comment thereon.

169:3.3 After [[Peter, the Apostle|Peter]] had recited this ancient [[parable]] of the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nazirite Nazarite] brotherhood, and since the crowd had [[quieted]] down, [[Andrew, the Apostle|Andrew]] arose and dismissed them for the night. Although both [[the apostles]] and his [[disciples]] frequently asked [[Jesus]] questions about the [[parable]] of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lazarus_and_Dives Dives and Lazarus], he never [[consented]] to make [[comment]] thereon.

==169:4. THE FATHER AND HIS KINGDOM==

==169:4. THE FATHER AND HIS KINGDOM==

169:4.1 Jesus always had trouble trying to explain to the apostles that, while they proclaimed the establishment of the kingdom of God, the Father in heaven was not a king. At the time Jesus lived on earth and taught in the flesh, the people of Urantia knew mostly of kings and emperors in the governments of the nations, and the Jews had long contemplated the coming of the kingdom of God. For these and other reasons, the Master thought best to designate the spiritual brotherhood of man as the kingdom of heaven and the spirit head of this brotherhood as the Father in heaven. Never did Jesus refer to his Father as a king. In his intimate talks with the apostles he always referred to himself as the Son of Man and as their elder brother. He depicted all his followers as servants of mankind and messengers of the gospel of the kingdom.

169:4.1 [[Jesus]] always had [[trouble]] trying to [[explain]] to [[the apostles]] that, while they [[proclaimed]] the [[establishment]] of [[the kingdom]] of [[God]], [[the Father]] in [[heaven]] was not a [[king]]. At the time [[Jesus]] lived on earth and taught in the [[flesh]], the people of [[Urantia]] knew mostly of [[kings]] and [[emperors]] in the [[governments]] of the [[nations]], and the [[Jews]] had long [[contemplated]] the coming of [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism the kingdom] of God. For these and other reasons, [[the Master]] [[thought]] best to designate the spiritual brotherhood of man as [[the kingdom]] of heaven and the [[spirit]] head of this brotherhood as [[the Father]] in heaven. Never did [[Jesus]] refer to his Father as a [[king]]. In his [[intimate]] [[dialogue|talks]] with [[the apostles]] he always referred to himself as the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man] and as their [[elder]] [[brother]]. He depicted all his followers as servants of [[mankind]] and [[messengers]] of the [[gospel]] of [[the kingdom]].

169:4.2 Jesus never gave his apostles a systematic lesson concerning the personality and attributes of the Father in heaven. He never asked men to believe in his Father; he took it for granted they did. Jesus never belittled himself by offering arguments in proof of the reality of the Father. His teaching regarding the Father all centered in the declaration that he and the Father are one; that he who has seen the Son has seen the Father; that the Father, like the Son, knows all things; that only the Son really knows the Father, and he to whom the Son will reveal him; that he who knows the Son knows also the Father; and that the Father sent him into the world to reveal their combined natures and to show forth their conjoint work. He never made other pronouncements about his Father except to the woman of Samaria at Jacob's well, when he declared, " God is spirit. "

169:4.2 [[Jesus]] never gave his [[apostles]] a [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Systematic_theology systematic] lesson concerning the [[personality]] and [[attributes]] of [[the Father]] in [[heaven]]. He never asked men to [[believe]] in his Father; he took it for granted they did. [[Jesus]] never belittled himself by offering [[arguments]] in [[proof]] of the [[reality]] of [[the Father]]. His teaching regarding the Father all [[center]]ed in the [[declaration]] that he and [[the Father]] are [[one]]; that he who has seen [[Creator Son|the Son]] has seen [[the Father]]; that the Father, like [[the Son]], [[knows]] [[all things]]; that only [[the Son]] really knows [[the Father]], and he to whom [[Divine Sons|the Son] will [[reveal]] him; that he who knows [[Creator Son|the Son]] knows also [[the Father]]; and that [[the Father]] sent him into the world to [[reveal]] their combined [[natures]] and to show forth their conjoint [[work]]. He never made other pronouncements about his Father except to [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_143#143:5._THE_WOMAN_OF_SYCHAR the woman of Samaria] at [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacob's_well Jacob's well], when he [[declared]], " God is spirit. "

169:4.3 You learn about God from Jesus by observing the divinity of his life, not by depending on his teachings. From the life of the Master you may each assimilate that concept of God which represents the measure of your capacity to perceive realities spiritual and divine, truths real and eternal. The finite can never hope to comprehend the Infinite except as the Infinite was focalized in the time-space personality of the finite experience of the human life of Jesus of Nazareth.

169:4.3 You [[learn]] about [[God]] from [[Jesus]] by [[observing]] the [[divinity]] of his life, not by depending on his teachings. From the life of [[the Master]] you may each [[assimilate]] that [[concept]] of [[God]] which [[represents]] the [[measure]] of your [[capacity]] to [[perceive]] [[realities]] [[spiritual]] and [[divine]], [[truths]] [[real]] and [[eternal]]. The [[finite]] can never [[hope]] to [[comprehend]] the [[Infinite]] except as the Infinite was [[focalized]] in the [[time-space]] [[personality]] of the finite [[experience]] of the [[human]] life of [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]].

169:4.4 Jesus well knew that God can be known only by the realities of experience; never can he be understood by the mere teaching of the mind. Jesus taught his apostles that, while they never could fully understand God, they could most certainly know him, even as they had known the Son of Man. You can know God, not by understanding what Jesus said, but by knowing what Jesus was. Jesus was a revelation of God.

169:4.4 [[Jesus]] well knew that [[God]] can be known only by the [[realities]] of [[experience]]; never can he be [[understood]] by the mere teaching of the [[mind]]. [[Jesus]] taught his [[apostles]] that, while they never could fully [[understand]] [[God]], they could most certainly know him, even as they had known the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Son_of_Man Son of Man]. You can know [[God]], not by [[understanding]] what [[Jesus]] said, but by knowing what Jesus was. Jesus was a [[revelation]] of [[God]].

169:4.5 Except when quoting the Hebrew scriptures, Jesus referred to Deity by only two names: God and Father. And when the Master made reference to his Father as God, he usually employed the Hebrew word signifying the plural God (the Trinity) and not the word Yahweh, which stood for the progressive conception of the tribal God of the Jews.

169:4.5 Except when quoting the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hebrew_scriptures Hebrew scriptures], [[Jesus]] referred to [[Deity]] by only [[two]] [[names]]: [[God]] and [[Father]]. And when [[the Master]] made [[reference]] to his Father as [[God]], he usually employed the [[Hebrew]] [[word]] [[signifying]] the plural [[God]] (the [[Trinity]]) and not the word [[Yahweh]], which stood for the [[progressive]] [[conception]] of the [[tribal]] [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_96_-_Yahweh_-_God_of_the_Hebrews God of the Jews].

169:4.6 Jesus never called the Father a king, and he very much regretted that the Jewish hope for a restored kingdom and John's proclamation of a coming kingdom made it necessary for him to denominate his proposed spiritual brotherhood the kingdom of heaven. With the one exception—the declaration that " God is spirit "—Jesus never referred to Deity in any manner other than in terms descriptive of his own personal relationship with the First Source and Center of Paradise.

169:4.6 [[Jesus]] never called [[the Father]] a [[king]], and he very much [[regretted]] that the [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jewish_Messianism Jewish hope] for a restored kingdom and [[John the Baptist|John]]'s proclamation of a coming kingdom made it [[necessary]] for him to denominate his proposed [[spiritual]] brotherhood [[the kingdom]] of heaven. With the one exception—the [[declaration]] that " [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_143#143:5._THE_WOMAN_OF_SYCHAR God is spirit] "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_4]—[[Jesus]] never referred to [[Deity]] in any [[manner]] other than in terms descriptive of his own [[personal]] [[relationship]] with the [[First Source and Center]] of [[Paradise]].

169:4.7 Jesus employed the word God to designate the idea of Deity and the word Father to designate the experience of knowing God. When the word Father is employed to denote God, it should be understood in its largest possible meaning. The word God cannot be defined and therefore stands for the infinite concept of the Father, while the term Father, being capable of partial definition, may be employed to represent the human concept of the divine Father as he is associated with man during the course of mortal existence.

169:4.7 [[Jesus]] employed the [[word]] [[God]] to designate the [[idea]] of [[Deity]] and the [[word]] [[Father]] to designate the [[experience]] of knowing [[God]]. When the [[word]] [[Father]] is employed to denote [[God]], it should be [[understood]] in its largest possible [[meaning]]. The word [[God]] cannot be defined and therefore stands for the [[infinite]] [[concept]] of [[the Father]], while the term Father, being capable of partial [[definition]], may be employed to [[represent]] the [[human]] [[concept]] of the [[divine]] Father as he is [[associated]] with man during the [[course]] of [[mortal]] [[existence]].

169:4.8 To the Jews, Elohim was the God of gods, while Yahweh was the God of Israel. Jesus accepted the concept of Elohim and called this supreme group of beings God. In the place of the concept of Yahweh, the racial deity, he introduced the idea of the fatherhood of God and the world-wide brotherhood of man. He exalted the Yahweh concept of a deified racial Father to the idea of a Father of all the children of men, a divine Father of the individual believer. And he further taught that this God of universes and this Father of all men were one and the same Paradise Deity.

169:4.8 To [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jews the Jews], [[Elohim]] was the God of gods, while [[Yahweh]] was the God of [[Israel]]. [[Jesus]] [[accepted]] the [[concept]] of [[Elohim]] and called this [[Supreme Creators|supreme group]] of [[beings]] [[God]]. In the place of the [[concept]] of [[Yahweh]], the [[racial]] [[deity]], he introduced the [[idea]] of the [[fatherhood]] of [[God]] and the world-wide brotherhood of man. He exalted the [[Yahweh]] concept of a deified [[racial]] [[Father]] to the [[idea]] of a [[Father]] of all the [[children]] of men, a [[divine]] Father of the [[individual]] [[believer]]. And he further taught that this [[God]] of [[universes]] and this Father of all men were one and the same [[Paradise]] [[Deity]].

169:4.9 Jesus never claimed to be the manifestation of Elohim (God) in the flesh. He never declared that he was a revelation of Elohim (God) to the worlds. He never taught that he who had seen him had seen Elohim (God). But he did proclaim himself as the revelation of the Father in the flesh, and he did say that whoso had seen him had seen the Father. As the divine Son he claimed to represent only the Father.

169:4.9 [[Jesus]] never claimed to be the [[manifestation]] of [[Elohim]] (God) in the [[flesh]]. He never [[declared]] that he was a [[revelation]] of [[Elohim]] (God) to [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_49 the worlds]. He never taught that he who had seen him had seen [[Elohim]] (God). But he did [[proclaim]] himself as the [[revelation]] of [[the Father]] in the [[flesh]], and he did say that whoso had seen him had seen the Father. As the [[divine Son]] he claimed to [[represent]] only [[the Father]].

169:4.10 He was, indeed, the Son of even the Elohim God; but in the likeness of mortal flesh and to the mortal sons of God, he chose to limit his life revelation to the portrayal of his Father's character in so far as such a revelation might be comprehensible to mortal man. As regards the character of the other persons of the Paradise Trinity, we shall have to be content with the teaching that they are altogether like the Father, who has been revealed in personal portraiture in the life of his incarnated Son, Jesus of Nazareth.

169:4.10 He was, indeed, the Son of even the [[Elohim]] God; but in the likeness of [[mortal]] [[flesh]] and to the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40#40:5._MORTALS_OF_TIME_AND_SPACE mortal sons of God], he chose to [[limit]] his life [[revelation]] to the portrayal of his Father's [[character]] in so far as such a [[revelation]] might be comprehensible to [[mortal]] man. As regards the [[character]] of the other [[persons]] of the [[Paradise Trinity]], we shall have to be content with the teaching that they are altogether like [[the Father]], who has been [[revealed]] in personal portraiture in the life of his [[incarnated]] [[Creator Son|Son]], [[Jesus]] of [[Nazareth]].

169:4.11 Although Jesus revealed the true nature of the heavenly Father in his earth life, he taught little about him. In fact, he taught only two things: that God in himself is spirit, and that, in all matters of relationship with his creatures, he is a Father. On this evening Jesus made the final pronouncement of his relationship with God when he declared: " I have come out from the Father, and I have come into the world; again, I will leave the world and go to the Father. "

169:4.11 Although [[Jesus]] [[revealed]] the true [[nature]] of the heavenly Father in his [[earth]] life, he taught little about him. In [[fact]], he taught only [[two]] [[things]]: that God in himself is [[spirit]], and that, in all matters of [[relationship]] with his [[creatures]], he is a [[Father]]. On this evening [[Jesus]] made the final [[pronouncement]] of his [[relationship]] with [[God]] when he [[declared]]: " I have come out from [[the Father]], and I have come into the world; again, I will leave the world and go to [[the Father]]. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_16]

169:4.12 But mark you! never did Jesus say, " Whoso has heard me has heard God. " But he did say, " He who has seen me has seen the Father. " To hear Jesus' teaching is not equivalent to knowing God, but to see Jesus is an experience which in itself is a revelation of the Father to the soul. The God of universes rules the far-flung creation, but it is the Father in heaven who sends forth his spirit to dwell within your minds.

169:4.12 But mark you! never did [[Jesus]] say, " Whoso has heard me has heard God. " But he did say, " He who has seen me has seen the Father. "[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Gospel_of_john#Chapter_14] To hear [[Jesus]]' teaching is not equivalent to [[knowing]] [[God]], but to see [[Jesus]] is an [[experience]] which in itself is a [[revelation]] of [[the Father]] to the [[soul]]. The [[God]] of [[universes]] rules the far-flung [[creation]], but it is the Father in heaven who sends forth [[Thought Adjuster|his spirit]] to dwell within your [[minds]].

169:4.13 Jesus is the spiritual lens in human likeness which makes visible to the material creature Him who is invisible. He is your elder brother who, in the flesh, makes known to you a Being of infinite attributes whom not even the celestial hosts can presume fully to understand. But all of this must consist in the personal experience of the individual believer. God who is spirit can be known only as a spiritual experience. God can be revealed to the finite sons of the material worlds, by the divine Son of the spiritual realms, only as a Father. You can know the Eternal as a Father; you can worship him as the God of universes, the infinite Creator of all existences.

169:4.13 [[Jesus]] is the [[spiritual]] [[lens]] in [[human]] likeness which makes [[visible]] to the [[material]] [[creature]] Him who is [[invisible]]. He is your [[elder]] [[brother]] who, in the [[flesh]], makes known to you a [[Being]] of [[infinite]] [[attributes]] whom not even the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_39 celestial hosts] can presume fully to [[understand]]. But all of this must consist in the [[personal]] [[experience]] of the [[individual]] [[believer]]. [[God]] who is spirit can be known only as a [[spiritual]] [[experience]]. [[God]] can be [[revealed]] to the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_40 finite sons] of the [http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=Paper_49 material worlds], by the [[Divine Sons|divine Son]] of the spiritual realms, only as a [[Father]]. You can know the [[Eternal]] as a Father; you can [[worship]] him as the God of [[universes]], the infinite [[Creator]] of all [[existences]].

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

<center>[http://nordan.daynal.org/wiki/index.php?title=The_Urantia_Text_-_Contents Go to Table of Contents]</center>

[[Category: PART IV: The Life and Teachings of Jesus]]

[[Category: PART IV: The Life and Teachings of Jesus]]