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'''Author's Introductory Comments'''

==Author's Introductory Comments==

We tend to look at the master universe as a "going concern," as something that has been here for a long time and is going to be here for a long time. This is a very legitimate way of looking at the master universe; it is a durable creation. At its center is the stationary Isle and the universe of eternal perfection. We live on the outer edge of one of the encircling superuniverses that is slowly evolving in the direction of perfection. Out beyond us, in the outer space regions, are the new universes of the future ages - large physical creations that are being organized for the developments of the future ages. Still farther out, in the more remote regions of outer space, physical creation begins to taper off until finally there is nothing but the quietness of empty space in the outermost reaches of the master creation.

We tend to look at the master universe as a "going concern," as something that has been here for a long time and is going to be here for a long time. This is a very legitimate way of looking at the master universe; it is a durable creation. At its center is the stationary Isle and the universe of eternal perfection. We live on the outer edge of one of the encircling superuniverses that is slowly evolving in the direction of perfection. Out beyond us, in the outer space regions, are the new universes of the future ages - large physical creations that are being organized for the developments of the future ages. Still farther out, in the more remote regions of outer space, physical creation begins to taper off until finally there is nothing but the quietness of empty space in the outermost reaches of the master creation.

It is our purpose in this Appendix to examine the antecedents of the master universe. We propose to begin this examination in past time when there was nothing but empty space outside of Havona. This is Havona in the First Universe Age. If we can think back to the dawn of time, then we might try to think our way still farther back, before time itself, into past eternity. We might try to visualize conditions as they could have been "before" Havona. Such ideas "before the appearance of Havona" would not be factual realities, but they could still be valid concepts. The Urantia Papers find it useful to entertain the concept of a "time" before the existence of Havona, a "time" that would be prior to the existence of the Infinite Spirit. (91,1-4), (91,8)  The Urantia Papers speak of this concept of such a hypothetical past moment as "the dawn of eternity." (351,5)

It is our purpose in this Appendix to examine the antecedents of the master universe. We propose to begin this examination in past time when there was nothing but empty space outside of Havona. This is Havona in the First Universe Age. If we can think back to the dawn of time, then we might try to think our way still farther back, before time itself, into past eternity. We might try to visualize conditions as they could have been "before" Havona. Such ideas "before the appearance of Havona" would not be factual realities, but they could still be valid concepts. The Urantia Papers find it useful to entertain the concept of a "time" before the existence of Havona, a "time" that would be prior to the existence of the Infinite Spirit. (91,1-4), (91,8)  The Urantia Papers speak of this concept of such a hypothetical past moment as "the dawn of eternity." (351,5)

 

==§1.THE FIRST UNIVERSE AGE==

==THE FIRST UNIVERSE AGE==

If we stay with factual reality, no matter how far back in time we try to think, the innermost core of the master universe - the central and divine universe - is always there; it is eternal.(152,1)  This pattern creation of divine perfection is just as eternal as the Infinite Spirit, the Third Person of Deity. (91,5 and 7)  It eternalizes by the will of the Father-Son through the agency of the God of Action, the Infinite Spirit (91,1), who eternalizes at the same time as the appearance of this central creation. (91,5)

If we stay with factual reality, no matter how far back in time we try to think, the innermost core of the master universe - the central and divine universe - is always there; it is eternal.(152,1)  This pattern creation of divine perfection is just as eternal as the Infinite Spirit, the Third Person of Deity. (91,5 and 7)  It eternalizes by the will of the Father-Son through the agency of the God of Action, the Infinite Spirit (91,1), who eternalizes at the same time as the appearance of this central creation. (91,5)

All of these realities are eternal The Paradise Deities and Trinity, the three Absolutes, the Paradise Isle with its citizens, and Havona with its natives - all of these beings, entities, and creations are existential, and constitute the inventory of the original - the eternal core of the master universe and of Total Reality. If we were to attempt to think our way back of this, we would be departing from factual reality. Nevertheless, it would still be possible to entertain valid concepts about those things and beings that are conceptually (if not factually) antecedent to the eternal existences of the First Universe Age.

All of these realities are eternal The Paradise Deities and Trinity, the three Absolutes, the Paradise Isle with its citizens, and Havona with its natives - all of these beings, entities, and creations are existential, and constitute the inventory of the original - the eternal core of the master universe and of Total Reality. If we were to attempt to think our way back of this, we would be departing from factual reality. Nevertheless, it would still be possible to entertain valid concepts about those things and beings that are conceptually (if not factually) antecedent to the eternal existences of the First Universe Age.

 

==§2. SOURCE RELATIONSHIPS IN ETERNITY==

==SOURCE RELATIONSHIPS IN ETERNITY==

There are degrees of source relationship between eternal realities that are paradoxical when viewed from our time perspective. We are prone to say, "If these eternal realities had come into existence in time, then that which is Source must be older than that which is Derived." If we could entertain the concept of a Zero Age - an age prior to the First Universe Age - then we would have a perspective from which we might attempt to analyze certain of these relationships. (The concept of a Zero Age is the concept of a state of affairs prior to the existence of the Spirit, Havona, and the Trinity.) In making a comparison of that which is Source with that which is Derived, we encounter three degrees of source relationship between eternal realities:

There are degrees of source relationship between eternal realities that are paradoxical when viewed from our time perspective. We are prone to say, "If these eternal realities had come into existence in time, then that which is Source must be older than that which is Derived." If we could entertain the concept of a Zero Age - an age prior to the First Universe Age - then we would have a perspective from which we might attempt to analyze certain of these relationships. (The concept of a Zero Age is the concept of a state of affairs prior to the existence of the Spirit, Havona, and the Trinity.) In making a comparison of that which is Source with that which is Derived, we encounter three degrees of source relationship between eternal realities:

This line of reasoning starts with the concept of "eternal," which would be the equivalent of the First Age. It then introduces the concept of "eternaler," which would be comparable to the Zero Age. Then we have the concept of "eternalist," which would equivalate to the idea of a "pre-zero concept." And, if we can imagine a "pre-zero concept" perhaps we can think at least one step behind that idea, perhaps we can reach the concept of "before prezero." Let us now examine the concept of the hypothetical Zero Age, and then go back into past eternity just as far as imagination will take us.

This line of reasoning starts with the concept of "eternal," which would be the equivalent of the First Age. It then introduces the concept of "eternaler," which would be comparable to the Zero Age. Then we have the concept of "eternalist," which would equivalate to the idea of a "pre-zero concept." And, if we can imagine a "pre-zero concept" perhaps we can think at least one step behind that idea, perhaps we can reach the concept of "before prezero." Let us now examine the concept of the hypothetical Zero Age, and then go back into past eternity just as far as imagination will take us.

 

==§3. THE ZERO AGE==

==THE ZERO AGE==

We might try to improve our concept of the Zero Age by otherwise naming it "the first pre-universe age." As we enter this hypothetical age we are leaving factual reality behind us, but we are not separating ourselves from valid concept. As we take inventory of the contents of the Zero Age, we should first make note of the absence of the Paradise Trinity, the Infinite Spirit, and the central universe. The Zero Age concept is pre-Spirit, hence pre-Havona; and, without the Spirit, there is no Trinity. In the Zero Age we find the following realities:

We might try to improve our concept of the Zero Age by otherwise naming it "the first pre-universe age." As we enter this hypothetical age we are leaving factual reality behind us, but we are not separating ourselves from valid concept. As we take inventory of the contents of the Zero Age, we should first make note of the absence of the Paradise Trinity, the Infinite Spirit, and the central universe. The Zero Age concept is pre-Spirit, hence pre-Havona; and, without the Spirit, there is no Trinity. In the Zero Age we find the following realities:

Were the Paradise Citizens present? If the Havona natives are eternal," then it would appear reasonable to assume the Paradise Citizens are "eternaler." Even if this were the case, we know this designation could not apply to all of the "more than three thousand orders" of these citizens, because the last of these groups was personalized at the time of the Trinity mandate which organized the superuniverses (222,6), and this must have been in the "dawn" of the Second Universe Age.

Were the Paradise Citizens present? If the Havona natives are eternal," then it would appear reasonable to assume the Paradise Citizens are "eternaler." Even if this were the case, we know this designation could not apply to all of the "more than three thousand orders" of these citizens, because the last of these groups was personalized at the time of the Trinity mandate which organized the superuniverses (222,6), and this must have been in the "dawn" of the Second Universe Age.

 

==§4. THE PRE-ZERO CONCEPT==

==THE PRE-ZERO CONCEPT==

We might think of the Pre-Zero concept as "the second pre-universe age." In this concept we are departing still farther from factual reality. Nevertheless, let us again take inventory of what is in existence; but first, we should make note of the absence of the Eternal Son and the Isle of Paradise. In the Pre-Zero concept we find the following realities:

We might think of the Pre-Zero concept as "the second pre-universe age." In this concept we are departing still farther from factual reality. Nevertheless, let us again take inventory of what is in existence; but first, we should make note of the absence of the Eternal Son and the Isle of Paradise. In the Pre-Zero concept we find the following realities:

We should remember that this Pre-Zero concept is not a factual reality. (111,4) Even the preceding concept of the Zero Age is not a factual reality; but both are useful thinking tools and, as such, both are valid concepts. Even a further projection of our thinking to "before Pre-Zero" could still be valid as a concept.

We should remember that this Pre-Zero concept is not a factual reality. (111,4) Even the preceding concept of the Zero Age is not a factual reality; but both are useful thinking tools and, as such, both are valid concepts. Even a further projection of our thinking to "before Pre-Zero" could still be valid as a concept.

 

==§5. BEFORE PRE-ZERO==

==BEFORE PRE-ZERO==

We can take at least one more step in the exploration of the "historic past" of past eternity; we can make an effort to visualize a concept that is Before Pre-Zero, a hypothetical "third pre-universe age." The Urantia Papers do provide us with such a starting point; they refer to it as the "hypothetical static moment of eternity." (1153,3) Here we encounter a concept that presents a state of affairs prior to the separation of the deified and the non deified. But, even in this primal concept the Urantia Papers do not validate monism - "The doctrine that there is only one kind of substance or ultimate reality." (Webster) The Urantia Papers do not validate the concept of absolute uniformity at the very beginning of all things. The Urantia Papers insist that this concept of past-eternal reality must include the potential (the possibility for the expression) of self-will. (6,2), (1152, §1), (1152, §2)

We can take at least one more step in the exploration of the "historic past" of past eternity; we can make an effort to visualize a concept that is Before Pre-Zero, a hypothetical "third pre-universe age." The Urantia Papers do provide us with such a starting point; they refer to it as the "hypothetical static moment of eternity." (1153,3) Here we encounter a concept that presents a state of affairs prior to the separation of the deified and the non deified. But, even in this primal concept the Urantia Papers do not validate monism - "The doctrine that there is only one kind of substance or ultimate reality." (Webster) The Urantia Papers do not validate the concept of absolute uniformity at the very beginning of all things. The Urantia Papers insist that this concept of past-eternal reality must include the potential (the possibility for the expression) of self-will. (6,2), (1152, §1), (1152, §2)

But this static condition is more than a valid concept. This static condition is also a factual reality: Total Deity still continues to function on the static level. The continuing existence of the static level of Total Reality is pointed out in the Urantia Papers in the discussion of The Infinity (1154,2), and in the discussion of the Universal One of Infinity. (1155,4) Therefore, at the conclusion of our analysis of past eternity we encounter more than valid concept, we encounter factual reality: The past-eternal is also the present-eternal, and the present-eternal is also the future-eternal.

But this static condition is more than a valid concept. This static condition is also a factual reality: Total Deity still continues to function on the static level. The continuing existence of the static level of Total Reality is pointed out in the Urantia Papers in the discussion of The Infinity (1154,2), and in the discussion of the Universal One of Infinity. (1155,4) Therefore, at the conclusion of our analysis of past eternity we encounter more than valid concept, we encounter factual reality: The past-eternal is also the present-eternal, and the present-eternal is also the future-eternal.

 

==§6. FOOTNOTE: REVERSIBLE SEQUENCE IN ETERNITY==

==FOOTNOTE: REVERSIBLE SEQUENCE IN ETERNITY==

In our exploration of the antecedents of the master universe we have followed the conventional sequence of events that is several times presented in the Urantia Papers. (6,2-3),  (1154,3-4) In this narrative the pre-Father emerges from the Absolute, leaving as residue the Unqualified Absolute, and then unifies the emerged presence of Total Deity (Qualified Absolute) with the Unqualified by the action of the Universal Absolute. The pre-Father then gives dual expression to Paradise and the Eternal Son; and now as the Father, joins with the Son to trinitize the Spirit; unites with the Son and Spirit as the Trinity; and replaces his former presence in Total Deity with the presence of the Paradise Trinity.

In our exploration of the antecedents of the master universe we have followed the conventional sequence of events that is several times presented in the Urantia Papers. (6,2-3),  (1154,3-4) In this narrative the pre-Father emerges from the Absolute, leaving as residue the Unqualified Absolute, and then unifies the emerged presence of Total Deity (Qualified Absolute) with the Unqualified by the action of the Universal Absolute. The pre-Father then gives dual expression to Paradise and the Eternal Son; and now as the Father, joins with the Son to trinitize the Spirit; unites with the Son and Spirit as the Trinity; and replaces his former presence in Total Deity with the presence of the Paradise Trinity.

Now we have told the story of the beginning of all things in reverse, and it still makes good sense. We have established the fact that the story of the Origin of Reality can be told by starting with Potentials and ending with Actuals, or it can be told just as well by starting with Actuals and ending with Potentials. But there could hardly be any factual "time sequence" in either of these narratives, and this must be why the story can be told in either sequence and still make sense. There may be "concept sequence" but there could hardly be "factual sequence" in the story of the unfolding of events in past eternity.  

Now we have told the story of the beginning of all things in reverse, and it still makes good sense. We have established the fact that the story of the Origin of Reality can be told by starting with Potentials and ending with Actuals, or it can be told just as well by starting with Actuals and ending with Potentials. But there could hardly be any factual "time sequence" in either of these narratives, and this must be why the story can be told in either sequence and still make sense. There may be "concept sequence" but there could hardly be "factual sequence" in the story of the unfolding of events in past eternity.  

[[Category: SMU]]

[[Category: Study of the Master Universe]]