I agree with you Cole. The number of citizens (faithful mortals) on Jerusem when the rebellion occurred about 200,000 years ago seems surprisingly low, regardless of how many were waiting in the wings at the time.
We have only to consider that 607 planets were inhabited at the time, the oldest being Anova, which is described as being “in an advanced stage of progressive civilization.” Even if we assume an average minimum population of 1 billion on each (which is probably very low), then these planets would have generated close to a trillion beings at any one point in time.
To my mind, it seems clear that the number of citizens referred to in the quote was the total number of ascenders resident on Jerusem at the time. If you include Material Sons and others, then the total number of ascenders would be even less.
“Not a single Jerusem citizen was lost. Every ascendant mortal survived the fiery trial and emerged from the crucial test triumphant and altogether victorious.”
I think the elephant in the room here is that many of us are unwilling to accept the idea that few mortals survive life after death. There is little in the book to support any notion that survival is the inevitable default. Lucifer is the only one who claimed that everybody would survive if it wasn’t for those interfering Ancients of Days (see 53:3).
Why would the Sons of God, whole hosts of the Holy Spirit, and trillions of Adjusters spend so much time trying to save souls if survival was easy? Why is it that those mortals who spread the word and save souls on the planets receive such high status (e.g. Moses, Elijah, Ellanora)?
The book says material linked minds cannot survive mortal death (see 1:3.7). And even those humanists who can intellectually deny God and yet be morally good and honest are devoid of survival values (see 102.7.4).
I believe Parts 1-3 make the requirements for survival quite clear, and Jesus reiterates all of these points in Part 4. To sum it up, survival requires:
- Faith – that we are sons of God.
- Spiritual motivation – the desire to know God.
- Consecration to our Father’s will – cooperation with the divine Spirit.
- Identification with the Father’s spirit. “Sooner or later we all become aware that all creature growth is proportional to Father identification.” 106:9.11
- Continuously making supreme decisions essential to eternal survival.
I challenge you to look around and then to honestly ask yourself – how many people with these qualities or commitments do you know?
Throughout the book, references or allusions are made about individuals who refused or failed of survival. Refusal is even possible after being resurrected in morontia form (see 111.3.1). And Jesus warns us several times not to be presumptuous with God’s mercy, that we should forever remain vigilante in our progress.
I don’t believe the morontia worlds are as crowded as we like to think. And it is unlikely that being Urantians gives us any special advantage for survival. In fact, the planet is so backward and confused, the survival rates are probably much lower than those of a normal world. Granted, we received a Creator Son, the Spirit of Truth, Adjusters, and this revelation – but that’s because we need it. All in all, it’s a lot of wonderful help, but none of these spiritual endowments are allowed to interfere with our free will. Only our decisions can make any real difference.
