PAPER 23
THE SOLITARY MESSENGERS
23:0.1 SOLITARY Messengers are the personal and
universal corps of the Conjoint Creator; they are the first and senior order
of the Higher Personalities of the Infinite Spirit. They represent the initial
creative action of the Infinite Spirit in solitary function for the purpose of
bringing into existence solitary personality spirits. Neither the Father nor
the Son directly participated in this stupendous spiritualization.
23:0.2 These spirit messengers were personalized in
a single creative episode, and their number is stationary. Although I have one
of these extraordinary beings associated with me on this present mission, I do
not know how many such personalities exist in the universe of universes. I
only know, from time to time, how many are of registry-record as functioning
for the time being within the jurisdiction of our superuniverse. From the last
Uversa report I observe that there were almost 7,690 trillion Solitary
Messengers then operating within the boundaries of Orvonton; and I conjecture
that this is considerably less than one seventh of their total number.
1. NATURE AND ORIGIN OF SOLITARY MESSENGERS
23:1.1 Immediately following the creation of the
Seven Spirits of the Havona Circuits the Infinite Spirit brought into being
the vast corps of Solitary Messengers. There is no part of the universal
creation which is pre-existent to the Solitary Messengers except Paradise and
the Havona circuits; they have functioned throughout the grand universe from
near eternity. They are fundamental to the divine technique of the Infinite
Spirit for self-revelation to, and personal contact with, the far-flung
creations of time and space.
23:1.2 Notwithstanding that these messengers are
existent from the near times of eternity, they are all aware of a beginning of
selfhood. They are conscious of time, being the first of the creation of the
Infinite Spirit to possess such a time consciousness. They are the first-born
creatures of the Infinite Spirit to be personalized in time and spiritualized
in space.
23:1.3 These solitary spirits came forth in the dawn
of time as full-fledged and perfectly endowed spirit beings. They are all
equal, and there are no classes or subdivisions founded on personal variation.
Their classifications are based wholly on the type of work to which they are
assigned from time to time.
23:1.4 Mortals start out as well-nigh material
beings on the worlds of space and ascend inward towards the Great Centers;
these solitary spirits start out at the center of all things and crave
assignment to the remote creations, even to the individual worlds of the
outermost local universes and even on beyond.
23:1.5 Though denominated Solitary Messengers, they
are not lonesome spirits, for they truly like to work alone. They are the only
beings in all creation who can and do enjoy a solitary existence, albeit they
equally enjoy association with the very few orders of universe intelligence
with whom they can fraternize.
23:1.6 Solitary Messengers are not isolated in their
service; they are constantly in touch with the wealth of the intellect of all
creation as they are capable of "listening in" on all the broadcasts of the
realms of their sojourn. They can also intercommunicate with members of their
own immediate corps, those beings doing the same kind of work in the same
superuniverse. They could communicate with others of their number, but they
have been directed by the council of the Seven Master Spirits not to do so,
and they are a loyal group; they do not disobey or default. There is no record
that a Solitary Messenger ever stumbled into darkness.
23:1.7 The Solitary Messengers, like the Universe
Power Directors, are among the very few types of beings operating throughout
the realms who are exempt from apprehension or detention by the tribunals of
time and space. They could be cited to appear before no one except the Seven
Master Spirits, but not in all the annals of the master universe has this
Paradise council ever been called upon to adjudicate the case of a Solitary
Messenger.
23:1.8 These messengers of solitary assignment are a
dependable, self-reliant, versatile, thoroughly spiritual, and broadly
sympathetic group of created beings derived from the Third Source and Center;
they operate by the authority of the Infinite Spirit resident on the central
Isle of Paradise and as personalized on the headquarters spheres of the local
universes. They are constant partakers of the direct circuit emanating from
the Infinite Spirit, even when they function in the local creations under the
immediate influence of the local universe Mother Spirits.
23:1.9 There is a technical reason why these
Solitary Messengers must travel and work alone. For short periods and when
stationary, they can collaborate in a group, but when thus ensembled, they are
altogether cut off from the sustenance and direction of their Paradise
circuit; they are wholly isolated. When in transit, or when operating in the
circuits of space and the currents of time, if two or more of this order are
in close proximity, both or all are thrown out of liaison with the higher
circulating forces. They are "short circuited" as you might describe it in
illustrative symbols. Therefore they have inherent within them a power of
automatic alarm, a warning signal, which unerringly operates to apprise them
of approaching conflicts and unfailingly keeps them sufficiently separated as
not to interfere with their proper and effective functioning. They also
possess inherent and automatic powers which detect and indicate the proximity
of both the Inspired Trinity Spirits and the divine Thought Adjusters.
23:1.10 These messengers possess no power of
personality extension or reproduction, but there is practically no work of the
universes in which they cannot engage, and to which they cannot contribute
something essential and helpful. Especially are they the great timesavers for
those who are concerned in the administration of universe affairs; and they
assist us all, from the highest to the lowest.
2. ASSIGNMENTS OF SOLITARY MESSENGERS
23:2.1 Solitary Messengers are not permanently
attached to any individual or group of celestial personalities. They are on
duty, always by assignment, and during such service they work under the
immediate supervision of those who direct the realms of their attachment.
Among themselves they have neither organization nor government of any kind;
they are Solitary Messengers.
23:2.2 Solitary Messengers are assigned by the
Infinite Spirit to the following seven divisions of service:
1. Messengers of the Paradise Trinity.
2. Messengers of the Havona Circuits.
3. Messengers of the Superuniverses.
4. Messengers of the Local Universes.
5. Explorers of Undirected Assignment.
6. Ambassadors and Emissaries of Special
Assignment.
7. Revelators of Truth.
23:2.3 These spirit messengers are in every sense
interchangeable from one type of service to another; such transfers are
constantly taking place. There are no separate orders of Solitary Messengers;
they are spiritually alike and in every sense equal. While they are generally
designated by number, they are known to the Infinite Spirit by personal names.
They are known to the rest of us by the name or number designative of their
current assignment.
23:2.4 1. Messengers of the Paradise Trinity.
I am not permitted to reveal much of the work of the group of messengers
assigned to the Trinity. They are the trusted and secret servants of the
Deities, and when intrusted with special messages which involve the unrevealed
policies and future conduct of the Gods, they have never been known to divulge
a secret or betray the confidence reposed in their order. And all this is
related in this connection, not to appear boastful of their perfection, but
rather to point out that the Deities can and do create perfect
beings.
23:2.5 The confusion and turmoil of Urantia do not
signify that the Paradise Rulers lack either interest or ability to manage
affairs differently. The Creators are possessed of full power to make Urantia
a veritable paradise, but such an Eden would not contribute to the development
of those strong, noble, and experienced characters which the Gods are so
surely forging out on your world between the anvils of necessity and the
hammers of anguish. Your anxieties and sorrows, your trials and
disappointments, are just as much a part of the divine plan on your sphere as
are the exquisite perfection and infinite adaptation of all things to their
supreme purpose on the worlds of the central and perfect universe.
23:2.6 2. Messengers of the Havona Circuits.
Throughout the ascendant career you will be vaguely, but increasingly, able to
detect the presence of the Solitary Messengers, but not until you reach Havona
will you recognize them unmistakably. The first of the messengers you will see
face to face will be those of the Havona circuits.
23:2.7 Solitary Messengers enjoy special relations
with the natives of the Havona worlds. These messengers, who are so
functionally handicapped when associating with one another, can and do have a
very close and personal communion with the Havona natives. But it is quite
impossible to convey to human minds the supreme satisfactions consequent upon
the contact of the minds of these divinely perfect beings with the spirits of
such near-transcendent personalities.
23:2.8 3. Messengers of the Superuniverses.
The Ancients of Days, those personalities of Trinity origin who preside over
the destinies of the seven superuniverses, those trios of divine power and
administrative wisdom, are bountifully supplied with Solitary Messengers. It
is only through this order of messengers that the triune rulers of one
superuniverse can directly and personally communicate with the rulers of
another. Solitary Messengers are the only available type of spirit
intelligence -- aside, possibly, from the Inspired Trinity Spirits -- that can
be dispatched from the headquarters of one superuniverse directly to the
headquarters of another. All other personalities must make such excursions by
way of Havona and the executive worlds of the Master Spirits.
23:2.9 There are some kinds of information which
cannot be obtained either by Gravity Messengers, reflectivity, or broadcast.
And when the Ancients of Days would certainly know these things, they must
dispatch a Solitary Messenger to the source of knowledge. Long before the
presence of life on Urantia the messenger now associated with me was assigned
on a mission out of Uversa to the central universe -- was absent from the roll
calls of Orvonton for almost a million years but returned in due time with the
desired information.
23:2.10 There is no limitation upon the service of
Solitary Messengers in the superuniverses; they may function as executioners
of the high tribunals or as intelligence gatherers for the good of the realm.
Of all the supercreations they most delight to serve in Orvonton because here
the need is greatest and the opportunities for heroic effort are greatly
multiplied. In the more needy realms we all enjoy the satisfaction of a more
replete function.
23:2.11 4. Messengers of the Local Universes.
In the services of a local universe there is no limit upon the functioning of
the Solitary Messengers. They are the faithful revealers of the motives and
intent of the local universe Mother Spirit, although they are under the full
jurisdiction of the reigning Master Son. And this is true of all messengers
operating in a local universe, whether they are traveling out directly from
universe headquarters, or whether they are acting temporarily in liaison with
Constellation Fathers, System Sovereigns, or Planetary Princes. Before the
concentration of all power in the hands of a Creator Son at the time of his
elevation as sovereign ruler of his universe, these messengers of the local
universes function under the general direction of the Ancients of Days and are
immediately responsible to their resident representative, the Union of Days.
23:2.12 5. Explorers of Undirected
Assignment. When the reserve corps of the Solitary Messengers is
overrecruited, there issues from one of the Seven Supreme Power Directors a
call for exploration volunteers; and there is never a lack of volunteers, for
they delight to be dispatched as free and untrammeled explorers, to experience
the thrill of finding the organizing nucleuses of new worlds and
universes.
23:2.13 They go forth to investigate the clues
furnished by the space contemplators of the realms. Undoubtedly the Paradise
Deities know of the existence of these undiscovered energy systems of space,
but they never divulge such information. If the Solitary Messengers did not
explore and chart these newly organizing energy centers, such phenomena would
long remain unnoticed even by the intelligences of adjacent realms. Solitary
Messengers, as a class, are highly sensitive to gravity; accordingly they can
sometimes detect the probable presence of very small dark planets, the very
worlds which are best adapted to life experiments.
23:2.14 These messenger-explorers of undirected
assignment patrol the master universe. They are constantly out on exploring
expeditions to the uncharted regions of all outer space. Very much of the
information which we possess of transactions in the realms of outer space, we
owe to the explorations of the Solitary Messengers as they often work and
study with the celestial astronomers.
23:2.15 6. Ambassadors and Emissaries of Special
Assignment. Local universes situated within the same superuniverse
customarily exchange ambassadors selected from their native orders of sonship.
But to avoid delay, Solitary Messengers are frequently asked to go as
ambassadors from one local creation to another, to represent and interpret one
realm to another. For example: When a newly inhabited realm is discovered, it
may prove to be so remote in space that a long time will pass before an
enseraphimed ambassador can reach this far-distant universe. An enseraphimed
being cannot possibly exceed the velocity of 558,840 Urantia miles in one
second of your time. Massive stars, crosscurrents, and detours, as well as
attraction tangents, will all tend to retard such speed so that on a long
journey the velocity will average about 550,000 miles per second.
23:2.16 When it develops that it will require
hundreds of years for a native ambassador to reach a far-distant local
universe, a Solitary Messenger is often asked to proceed there immediately to
act as ambassador ad interim. Solitary Messengers can go in very short order,
not independently of time and space as do the Gravity Messengers, but nearly
so. They also serve in other circumstances as emissaries of special
assignment.
23:2.17 7. Revelators of Truth. The Solitary
Messengers regard the assignment to reveal truth as the highest trust of their
order. And they function ever and anon in this capacity, from the
superuniverses to the individual planets of space. They are frequently
attached to commissions which are sent to enlarge the revelation of truth to
the worlds and systems.
3. TIME AND SPACE SERVICES OF SOLITARY MESSENGERS
23:3.1 The Solitary Messengers are the highest type
of perfect and confidential personality available in all realms for the quick
transmission of important and urgent messages when it is inexpedient to
utilize either the broadcast service or the reflectivity mechanism. They serve
in an endless variety of assignments, helping out the spiritual and material
beings of the realms, particularly where the element of time is involved. Of
all orders assigned to the services of the superuniverse domains, they are the
highest and most versatile personalized beings who can come so near to defying
time and space.
23:3.2 The universe is well supplied with spirits
who utilize gravity for purposes of transit; they can go anywhere any time --
instanter -- but they are not persons. Certain other gravity traversers are
personal beings, such as Gravity Messengers and Transcendental Recorders, but
they are not available to the super- and the local universe administrators.
The worlds teem with angels and men and other highly personal beings, but they
are handicapped by time and space: The limit of velocity for most
nonenseraphimed beings is 186,280 miles of your world per second of your time;
the midway creatures and certain others can, often do, attain double velocity
-- 372,560 miles per second -- while the seraphim and others can traverse
space at triple velocity, about 558,840 miles per second. There are, however,
no transit or messenger personalities who function between the instantaneous
velocities of the gravity traversers and the comparatively slow speeds of the
seraphim, except the Solitary Messengers.
23:3.3 Solitary Messengers are, therefore, generally
used for dispatch and service in those situations where personality is
essential to the achievement of the assignment, and where it is desired to
avoid the loss of time which would be occasioned by the sending of any other
readily available type of personal messenger. They are the only definitely
personalized beings who can synchronize with the combined universal currents
of the grand universe. Their velocity in traversing space is variable,
depending on a great variety of interfering influences, but the record shows
that on the journey to fulfill this mission my associate messenger proceeded
at the rate of 841,621,642,000 of your miles per second of your
time.
23:3.4 It is wholly beyond my ability to explain to
the material type of mind how a spirit can be a real person and at the same
time traverse space at such tremendous velocities. But these very Solitary
Messengers actually come to, and go from, Urantia at these incomprehensible
speeds; indeed, the whole economy of universal administration would be largely
deprived of its personal element were this not a fact.
23:3.5 The Solitary Messengers are able to function
as emergency lines of communication throughout remote space regions, realms
not embraced within the established circuits of the grand universe. It
develops that one messenger, when so functioning, can transmit a message or
send an impulse through space to a fellow messenger about one hundred
light-years away as Urantia astronomers estimate stellar distances.
23:3.6 Of the myriads of beings who co-operate with
us in the conduct of the affairs of the superuniverse, none are more important
in practical helpfulness and timesaving assistance. In the universes of space
we must reckon with the handicaps of time; hence the great service of the
Solitary Messengers, who, by means of their personal prerogatives of
communication, are somewhat independent of space and, by virtue of their
tremendous transit velocities, are so nearly independent of time.
23:3.7 I am at a loss to explain to Urantia mortals
how the Solitary Messengers can be without form and yet possess real and
definite personalities. Although they are without that form which would
naturally be associated with personality, they do possess a spirit presence
which is discernible by all higher types of spirit beings. The Solitary
Messengers are the only class of beings who seem to be possessed of well-nigh
all the advantages of a formless spirit coupled with all the prerogatives of a
full-fledged personality. They are true persons, yet endowed with nearly all
of the attributes of impersonal spirit manifestation.
23:3.8 In the seven superuniverses, ordinarily --
but not always -- everything which tends to increase any creature's liberation
from the handicaps of time and space proportionately diminishes personality
prerogatives. Solitary Messengers are an exception to this general law. They
are in their activities all but unrestricted in the utilization of any and all
of the limitless avenues of spiritual expression, divine service, personal
ministry, and cosmic communication. If you could view these extraordinary
beings in the light of my experience in universe administration, you would
comprehend how difficult it would be to co-ordinate superuniverse affairs were
it not for their versatile co-operation.
23:3.9 No matter how much the universe may enlarge,
no more Solitary Messengers will probably ever be created. As the universes
grow, the expanded work of administration must be increasingly borne by other
types of spirit ministers and by those beings who take origin in these new
creations, such as the creatures of the Sovereign Sons and the local universe
Mother Spirits.
4. SPECIAL MINISTRY OF SOLITARY MESSENGERS
23:4.1 The Solitary Messengers seem to be
personality co-ordinators for all types of spirit beings. Their ministry helps
to make all the personalities of the far-flung spiritual world akin. They
contribute much to the development, in all spirit beings, of a consciousness
of group identity. Every type of spirit being is served by special groups of
Solitary Messengers who foster the ability of such beings to understand and
fraternize with all other types and orders, however dissimilar.
23:4.2 The Solitary Messengers demonstrate such an
amazing ability to co-ordinate all types and orders of finite personality --
even to make contact with the absonite regime of the master universe
overcontrollers -- that some of us postulate that the creation of these
messengers by the Infinite Spirit is in some manner related to the Conjoint
Actor's bestowal of Supreme-Ultimate Mind.
23:4.3 When a finaliter and a Paradise Citizen
co-operate in the trinitization of a "child of time and eternity" -- a
transaction involving the unrevealed mind potentials of the Supreme-Ultimate
-- and when such an unclassified personality is dispatched to Vicegerington, a
Solitary Messenger (a conjectured personality repercussion of the bestowal of
such deity mind) is always assigned as guardian-companion to such a
creature-trinitized son. This messenger accompanies the new son of destiny to
the world of his assignment and nevermore leaves Vicegerington. When thus
attached to the destinies of a child of time and eternity, a Solitary
Messenger is forever transferred to the sole supervision of the Architects of
the Master Universe. What the future of such an extraordinary association may
be, we do not know. For ages these partnerships of unique personalities have
continued to forgather on Vicegerington, but not even a single pair has ever
gone forth therefrom.
23:4.4 Solitary Messengers are of stationary
numbers, but the trinitization of the sons of destiny is apparently an
unlimited technique. Since each trinitized son of destiny has assigned to him
a Solitary Messenger, it appears to us that at some time in the remote future
the supply of messengers will become exhausted. Who will take up their work in
the grand universe? Will their service be assumed by some new development
among the Inspired Trinity Spirits? Is the grand universe at some remote
period going to be more nearly administered by Trinity-origin beings while the
single- and dual-origin creatures move on into the realms of outer space? If
the messengers return to their former service, will these sons of destiny
accompany them? Will the trinitizations between finaliters and
Paradise-Havoners cease when the supply of Solitary Messengers has been
absorbed as guardian-companions of these sons of destiny? Are all our
efficient Solitary Messengers going to be concentrated on Vicegerington? Are
these extraordinary spirit personalities going to be eternally associated with
these trinitized sons of unrevealed destiny? What significance should we
attach to the fact that these couples forgathering on Vicegerington are under
the exclusive direction of those mighty mystery beings, the Architects of the
Master Universe? These and many similar questions we ask ourselves, and ask
numerous other orders of celestial beings, but we do not know the answers.
23:4.5 This transaction, together with many similar
occurrences in universe administration, unmistakably indicates that the
personnel of the grand universe, even that of Havona and Paradise, is
undergoing a definite and certain reorganization in co-ordination with, and
with reference to, the vast energy evolutions now taking place throughout the
realms of outer space.
23:4.6 We incline to the belief that the eternal
future will witness phenomena of universe evolution which will far transcend
all that the eternal past has experienced. And we anticipate such tremendous
adventures, even as you should, with keen relish and ever-heightening
expectation.
23:4.7 Presented by
a Divine Counselor from Uversa.
