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    Two-Minute Takeaways

    Life in the Universe

    Two-Minute Takeaways from The Urantia Book

    The immensity of the far-flung creation of the Universal Father is utterly beyond the grasp of finite imagination. (12:0.1)

    “Does life exist anywhere else in the universe?” 

    Given the enormity of the universe that astronomy has revealed to us in recent decades, the question seems ludicrous. Sheer statistics and intuition prompt us to respond by asking, “How could there not be?”

    It seems more sensible to entertain other questions. How extensive is life in the universe? Must life everywhere be similar to life on earth, or could intelligent life take forms we cannot conceive? Where did it come from? Could there be intelligent life on earth, of such a nature we cannot detect, looking out for us? Could life have existed before the universe existed?

    Life Before the Universe Began

    Belief in a first cause is one of many things science, philosophy and religion have in common.  Science studies how this first cause happened. Philosophy hypothesizes mind as a first cause. Religion can ask why it happened. Religion’s answer? A Creator God.

    By positing a Creator, religion presumes life before the universe, life that is the source of our universe and all life that emerges from and comes to inhabit it.

    And that’s a miracle. But before the miracle that created the material universe, God was. 

    Life on Other Worlds

    The Urantia Book has much to say about this miracle of life in the universe. It offers answers to all of the questions listed above, plus many others. For example, the book describes beings who live on another planet similar to ours. It tells us the universe contains trillions of planets inhabited by intelligent creatures much like ourselves. 

    Life We Can Hardly Begin to Understand

    Scientists look for planets whose conditions are similar to ours when searching for signs of life. This makes sense, but God creates and evolves life on planets vastly different from our own. Not all intelligent beings are like humans on our planet. For example, did you know people on some planets have more brains than you do? Or live in water? Or fly? Or don’t have lungs and can live on planets without an atmosphere—even on a sphere near us? Read all about it.

    Life Looking Out for Our Well-being

    And what about intelligent life that we cannot see, life that is not material?

    As each of us strives to realize our spiritual potential, God provides helpers. You know about guardian angels that are described in most religious traditions. These seraphim are but one of numerous types of angels who minister to us as we ascend. Numerous other spirit beings provide opportunities that challenge us and help us grow. Many are teachers, like Melchizedek, the mysterious being who is mentioned in the Bible.

    Even here on earth, other planetary helpers assist us in ways we almost never become aware of. My favorites are the versatile secondary midwayers, invisible fellows who have been around since Adam, and who help each of us in ways we cannot perceive. They also played a pivotal role in writing The Urantia Book, especially, Part IV, “The Life and Teachings of Jesus.” They’re awesome.

    These spirit personalities might not be what we ordinarily think of when we imagine life on other planets; nevertheless, by helping us grow physically, intellectually and spiritually, they play a practical role in our lives. This is life that often is very close to us, that understands us, and that loves us. 

    Life in a Friendly Universe

    I could describe other types of beings whom we will encounter as we journey toward Paradise. All are brothers, sisters, friends and helpers in a friendly universe. I will leave it to you to learn about them as you read The Urantia Book. As you do, you will discover that life in the universe is more varied and remarkable than scientists have ever envisioned.

    There is unity in the cosmic universe if you could only discern its workings in actuality. The real universe is friendly to every child of the eternal God. (133:5.8)