Ch. 55, Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet
“Son of Man: Urantia,” 2nd edition
Tuesday Evening on Mount Olivet
As Jesus and the apostles were walking back to the camp at Gethsemane they passed a construction site and Matthew said “Master, look at these buildings. See the massive stones and the beautiful carving. Are you saying that these buildings are to be destroyed?”
Jesus replied “You see these stones and this massive temple, it is true when I tell you that in the days soon to come there will not be left one stone on another. They will all be thrown down.” As the apostles walked behind Jesus they could think of nothing short of the end of the world that would bring about the destruction of the temple.
To avoid the crowds passing along the Kidron valley, they climbed up the western slope of Olivet a short way and then followed a trail to their private camp above the public camp ground at Gethsemane. As they turned off the road leading on to Bethany, they could see the city lights being lit and the temple glorified by the rays of the setting sun. There on the mount under the mellow light of the full moon they all sat down, and soon Nathaniel said “Tell us Master, how will we know when these things are about to happen?”
The Destruction of Jerusalem
Jesus replied “Yes, I will tell you about the times when these people will be made to pay for knowingly sinning against God, and when justice will swiftly fall on this city of our fathers. I am about to leave you: I go to the Father. After I leave you be careful that no person deceives you, for many will come as deliverers and they will lead many people astray. When you hear of wars and rumors of wars do not worry, because though all these things will happen the end of Jerusalem is not yet at hand. You should not be bothered by famines or earthquakes; neither should you be concerned when you are given to the civil authorities and persecuted for the sake of the gospel. You will be thrown out of the synagogue; you will be put in prison for my sake and some of you will be killed. When you are brought before the rulers it will be to show your faith and steadfastness in the gospel of the kingdom. When you stand before judges, do not worry about what you will say because the spirit will teach you at that moment what you should say to your enemies. In these days of labor even your own relatives, under the leadership of those who have rejected the Son of Man, will send you to death and prison. For a time you may be hated by everyone for my sake, but even in these persecutions I will not abandon you; my spirit will not desert you. Be patient! Do not doubt that this gospel of the kingdom will triumph over all enemies, and eventually be announced to all nations.”
Jesus paused as he looked down on the city. He realized that by rejecting the spiritual concept of the Messiah and blindly holding to the material mission of the expected deliverer, the Jews would eventually bring themselves into direct conflict with the powerful Roman armies and the only result in the end would be the complete overthrow of the Jewish nation. When the Jews rejected Jesus’ spiritual bestowal and refused to receive the light of heaven so mercifully shinning on them, they sealed their doom as an independent people with a special spiritual mission on Earth. Even the Jewish leaders later realized that it was this earthly material-based idea of the Messiah that led directly to the trouble that brought about their destruction. Since Jerusalem was to become the cradle of the early gospel movement, Jesus did not want its teachers to be killed in connection with its destruction.
Then Andrew asked “But Master, if the Holy City and the temple are to be destroyed and if you are not here to direct us, when should we leave Jerusalem?”
Jesus replied “After I have gone you can stay in the city even through the times of bitter persecution, but when you finally see Jerusalem being surrounded by the Roman armies after the revolt of the false prophets that is when you will know that her destruction is at hand; then you must flee to the mountains. Let no one who is in or around the city take the time to try and save their possessions, and do not let those who are outside try to go in. There will be horrendous suffering for these will be the days of the gentile’s vengeance. After you have deserted the city this disobedient people will be killed by the sword, and the rest will be led captive into all nations as Jerusalem is torn down by the gentiles. In the meantime I warn you not to be deceived. If any person comes to you saying ‘Behold, here is the Deliverer,’ or ‘Behold, there he is,’ do not believe it because many false teachers will come and many will be led astray, but you should not be fooled because I have told you all this beforehand.” The apostles were silent as they let Jesus’ predictions filter into their bewildered minds. It was by following this warning that almost the entire group of believers fled Jerusalem on the first sign of the Roman troops and found safe shelter in Pella to the north.
Even after this explicit warning, many of Jesus’ followers believed that these predictions referred to changes in Jerusalem when the Messiah reappeared to establish the New Jerusalem and enlarge the city to become the world’s capital. These Jews were determined to connect the destruction of the temple with the end of the world. They believed this New Jerusalem would encompass all of Palestine, and that the end of the world would be followed by the immediate appearance of the new heavens and the new Earth. So it was not strange that Peter then asked “Master, we know that all things will pass away when the new heavens and the new Earth appear, but how will we know when you will return to bring this all of this about?”
Jesus was thoughtful for some time after hearing Peter’s question, and then he replied “You keep trying to attach the new lessons to the old; you are determined to misunderstand all of my teachings and you insist on interpreting the gospel in accordance with your established beliefs. Regardless, I will try to enlighten you.”
The Master’s Second Coming
Jesus had made statements that led people to assume that while he intended to soon depart this world he would most certainly return to finish the work of the heavenly kingdom. The firm belief in the second coming of Christ was early incorporated into the Christian teachings, and almost every later generation of disciples has devoutly believed this truth and confidently looked forward to his return; they also lost no time connecting the destruction of Jerusalem with this promised second coming. The apostles persisted in these beliefs even after this entire night of Jesus trying to prevent those mistakes.
Jesus said “Why do you still look for the Son of Man to sit on the throne of David, and expect that the Jew’s material dreams will be fulfilled? Have I not told you all of these years that my kingdom is not of this world? The things that we are now looking down on in the city below are coming to an end, but this will be a new beginning out of which the gospel of the kingdom will go to all the world and this salvation will spread to all people. When the kingdom has come to its full fruition be assured that the Father in heaven will not fail to bring you an enlarged revelation of truth and an enhanced demonstration of righteousness, even like he has already given this world the one who became the prince of darkness, and then Adam who was followed by Melchizedek and now in these days, the Son of Man. So will my Father continue to be loving and merciful even to this dark and evil world. And so will I after my Father has given me all power and authority continue to follow your fortunes and to guide you in the kingdom by the presence of my spirit who will shortly be poured out on all flesh. Even though I will be present with you in spirit I also promise that I will sometime return to this world where I have lived this life in the flesh and I had the experience of at the same time revealing God to humanity, and leading humanity to God. Very soon I must leave you and take up the work the Father has entrusted to my hands, but be of good courage for I will sometime return. In the meantime, my Spirit of the Truth of a universe will guide and comfort you.’
“You see me now weak and in the flesh, but when I return it well be with power and in the spirit. The eye of the flesh sees the Son of Man in the flesh, but only the eye of the spirit will see the Son of Man glorified by the Father and appearing on Earth in his own name.’
“But when the Son of Man will reappear is only known in the councils of Paradise; not even the angels of heaven know when this will occur. However, you should understand that when this gospel of the kingdom has been announced to all the world for the salvation of all people and the fullness of the age has come to pass, the Father will send you another dispensational bestowal, or else the Son of Man will return to judge the age.’
“Now concerning the future of Jerusalem that I have told you about: it will happen that my words will be fulfilled even before this generation has died. Concerning when the Son of Man will return, no one on Earth or in heaven can dare say. But you should be wise regarding the ripening of an age; you should be alert to see the signs of the times. You know when the fig tree shows its tender branches and puts forth its leaves that summer is near. Likewise when the world has passed through the long winter of material-mindedness and you see the coming spiritual springtime of a new teacher, you should know that the summertime of a new visitation is getting close.’
“But what is the meaning of this teaching about the coming of the Sons of God? Do you not realize that when each of you is called to lay down his life and pass through the portal of death that you will then stand in the immediate presence of judgment, and that you will be face to face with a new dispensation—a new phase of your eternal life—serving the plan of the infinite Father? What the whole world must face as a literal fact at the end of an age each of you as individuals must face as a personal experience when you reach the end of your natural life and pass on to be confronted with the next revelation of the Father’s kingdom.”
Of all the talks that Jesus gave his apostles, none has ever become as confused as this one given to them this Tuesday night on the Mount of Olives, about both the destruction of Jerusalem and his own second coming. There was little agreement between the later written accounts based on memory of this extraordinary occasion. Consequently, when the records were left blank about what was said many traditions arose. Early in the second century a Jewish prophecy about the Messiah written by a person named Selta, who was attached to Emperor Caligula’s court, was copied into Matthew’s gospel, and then later part of it was added to Mark and Luke’s records. It was in Selta’s writings that the parable of the ten virgins appeared, but the Apostle John was never confused about this.
As these thirteen men resumed walking they were tense and speechless. Judas had finally decided to abandon his friends. It was a late when David Zebedee, John Mark, and a number of the leading disciples welcomed Jesus and the twelve to the new camp, but the apostles did not want to sleep. They wanted to know more about the destruction of Jerusalem, their Master’s departure, and the end of the world.
Later Discussion at the Camp
After everyone had gathered around the campfire, about twenty of them in all, Thomas asked “Since you are to return to finish the work of the kingdom, what should our attitude be while you are away on the Father’s business?”
Jesus said “Even you, Thomas, fail to understand what I have been saying. Have I not taught you all this time that your connection with the kingdom is spiritual and individual, the personal experience of you realizing that you are a son of God? What more can I say? The downfall of nations, the crash of empires, the destruction of the unbelieving Jews, the end of an age or even the end of the world—what have any of these things to do with a person who believes this gospel and is sure of the eternal kingdom? You who are God knowing and gospel believing have already received the assurance of eternal life. Since your lives have been lived in the spirit and for the Father nothing can seriously concern you. Kingdom builders, the accredited citizens of the heavenly worlds, are not to be upset by earthly upheavals. What does it matter to you who believe the gospel of the kingdom if the age ends, if nations overturn, or if all things visible crash since you know that your life is the gift of the Son and that it is eternally secure in the Father? Having lived the earthly life by faith and in loving service for your fellows, you can be confident in your next step in the eternal career using the same faith that carried you through your first earthly adventure in sonship with God.’
“Each generation of believers should carry on their work in view of the possible return of the Son of Man, exactly like people carry on their lifework in view of an inevitable and ever-impending natural death. When you have by faith established yourself as a son of God, nothing else matters regarding your survival. But make no mistake! This survival faith is a living faith, and it increasingly brings forth the fruits of the divine spirit that first inspired it in the human heart. Just because you have once accepted sonship in the heavenly kingdom, does not mean that it will save you in the face of continuing to knowingly reject those truths that bear spiritual fruits as the sons of God in the flesh. You who have been with me in the Father’s business on Earth can even now desert the kingdom if you find that you do not love the Father’s service for humanity.’
“As individuals and as a generation of believers, listen up while I tell you a parable. There was a distinguished man who before starting out on a long trip to another country called all of his trusted servants before him and gave them all of his possessions. To one he gave five talents, to another two, and to another one. And so on down through the entire group of honored stewards to each he entrusted his goods according to their several abilities, and then he set out on his journey. Immediately, he who had received five talents began to trade them and soon he made another five talents. In the same way, he who had received two talents soon gained two more. Like this all of these servants made money for their master except the one who had only received one talent. He went away by himself and dug a hole in the ground where he hid his lord’s money. Soon after, the lord unexpectedly returned and called on his stewards for an accounting. When they had all been called before their master, he who had received the five talents came forward with the money entrusted to him and brought five more talents, saying ‘Lord, you gave me five talents to invest, and I am glad to present five other talents as my profit.’ This lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. You have been faithful over a few things; I will now set you as steward over many. Enter then into the joy of your lord.’ Then he who had received the two talents came forward and said ‘Lord, you delivered into my hands two talents: look, I have earned these other two talents.’ Then his lord said to him, ‘Well done, good and faithful steward; you also have been faithful over a few things and I will now set you over many. Enter into the joy of your lord.’ Then came the accounting of the steward who had received the one talent. This servant came forward and said ‘Lord, I knew you and realized that you were a shrewd man because you expected gains where you had not personally labored; because of that I was afraid to risk any of what was entrusted to me. I safely hid your talent in the ground; here it is. You now have what belongs to you.’ But his lord said ‘You are a lazy steward. By your own words you confess that you knew I would require an accounting of you with reasonable profit such as your diligent fellow servants have given this day. Knowing this you should have at least put my money in the bank so that on my return I would have received my own with interest.’ Then the lord said to his chief steward, ‘Take this one talent from this unprofitable servant, and give it to him who has the ten talents.’
“To everyone who has, more will be given and he will have abundance. But from him who has not, even what he has will be taken away. You cannot stand still in the affairs of the eternal kingdom. My Father requires that all of his children grow in grace and in knowledge of the truth. You who know these truths must increase your fruits of the spirit and show a growing devotion to the unselfish service of your fellow servants. Remember, the extent that you minister to one of the least of my brethren, you have done this service to me.”
“That is how you should go about the Father’s business now and in the future, even forever. Carry on until I come. In faithfulness do what is entrusted to you, and in that way you will be ready for the reckoning call of death. Having lived for the glory of the Father and the satisfaction of the Son, you will enter with joy into the eternal service of the everlasting kingdom.”
Truth is living; the Spirit of Truth is always leading the children of light into new realms of divine service and spiritual reality. You are not given truth to crystallize it into safe, settled, and honored forms. Your revelation of truth must be so enhanced by passing through your personal experience that new beauty and actual spiritual gains will be shown to all who see your spiritual fruits, and because of that they are led to glorify the Father who is in heaven. Only those faithful servants who grow in the knowledge of the truth, and because of that develop the capacity for divine appreciation, can ever hope to fully enter into the joy of their Lord.
Regarding the stewardship of divine truth: what a sorry sight it is for continuing generations of Jesus’ followers to say “Here Master, is the truth you committed to us a hundred or a thousand years ago. We have lost nothing; we have faithfully preserved all that you gave us; we have allowed no changes to be made to what you taught us; here is the truth you gave us.” But such a plea based in spiritual laziness will not do the barren steward of truth well in the presence of the Master. In accordance with the truth committed to your hands, will the Master of truth require a reckoning.
In the next world you will be asked to give an accounting of the stewardships of this world. Whether inherent talents are few or many, a just and merciful reckoning must be faced. If a person’s gifts are only used in selfish pursuits and no thought is given to the higher duty of increasing the fruits of the spirit as they are brought forth in the worship of God and ever-expanding service to humanity, such selfish stewards must accept the consequences of their deliberate choosing.
Like all selfish mortals, this unfaithful servant with the one talent blamed his laziness directly on his lord. How prone people are when they are confronted with their own failures to put the blame on others, oftentimes on those who deserve it the least!
Before they all retired for the night, Jesus said “Freely you have received; because of that you should freely give the truth of heaven, and in that giving this truth will multiply and shine forth the increasing light of saving grace even as you minister it.”
The Return of Michael
Of all of Jesus’ teachings no one part has been so misunderstood as his promise to return sometime to this world. It is only natural to believe that Jesus of Nazareth, now sovereign ruler of a vast universe, would be interested in coming back not only once, but maybe even many times to the world where he lived such a unique life and finally won for himself the Father’s unlimited bestowal of universe power and authority. Urantia will eternally be one of Michael’s seven nativity spheres in winning universe sovereignty.
When the Roman armies leveled the walls of Jerusalem, destroyed the temple, and dispersed the Judean Jews and Jesus still did not come back, his followers began to create the belief that eventually associated the second coming of Christ with the end of the age, even with the end of the world. Jesus promised to do two things after he had arisen to the Father and after all power on Earth and in heaven had been placed in his hands. First, Jesus promised to send into the world and in his place another teacher, the Spirit of Truth, which arrived on the Pentecost; second, he promised his followers that he would sometime personally return to this world. But Jesus did not say how, when, or where he would return. On one occasion he hinted that like the eye of the flesh had seen him here in the flesh, when he returns he would only be seen by the eye of spiritual faith.
Many of us are inclined to believe that Jesus will return to Urantia many times during the ages to come. We do not have his specific promise to make these multiple visits, but it seems most probable that he who carries among his universe designations that of Planetary Prince of Urantia will many times visit the world whose conquest earned him such a unique title.
We believe that Michael will again come in person to Urantia, but we do not have the slightest idea as to when or in what manner he will come. Will his return be timed to occur in connection with the terminal judgment of this present age, either with or without the appearance of a Magisterial Son? Will he come in connection with the termination of some later Urantian age? Will he come unannounced and as an isolated event? We do not know. The only thing that we are certain of is that when he does return all the world will likely know about it, because he must come as the supreme ruler of a universe and not as the obscure babe of Bethlehem. But if every eye is to see him, and if only spiritual eyes are able to do that, then this event must be put off for a long time.
You would do well to disassociate the Master’s personal return to Earth from any and all set events or settled epochs. We are sure of only one thing: he has promised to come back. We have no idea when he will fulfill his promise, or how. As far as we know he may appear on Earth any day, or he may not come until ages have passed and they have been duly judged by his associated Sons of the Paradise corps.
The second coming of Michael on Earth is of tremendous sentimental value to both humans and midwayers. But otherwise it is of no more immediate or practical importance to humans or midwayers than the common event of natural death that so suddenly sends a human being into the immediate grasp of successive universe events leading directly to the presence of this same Jesus, the sovereign ruler of our universe. The children of light are all destined to see Jesus, and it is of no serious concern whether we go to him or whether he should first by chance come to us. So be ever ready to welcome him on Earth, just like he stands ready to welcome you to heaven. We confidently look for his glorious appearing, even for repeated comings, but we are wholly ignorant as to how, when, or in what connection he is destined to appear.