Online discussion of Revelation Revealed

Audio and video recordings

Revelation Revealed is an intriguing study of many key teachings that the revelators enshrined in the fifth epochal revelation (July 17, 2016). By reflecting on concepts and methods analyzed in its 247 pages, readers can examine:

—  The general policy and practice governing the efforts of our spiritual superiors when they transmitted epochal revelation (topics 1 and 2);

—  Six key aspects of the teachings that pervade The Urantia Book (topics 8 through
12)
; and

—  Four fundamental characteristics of the Global Endeavor, an independent initiative intended to help promote the progressive growth and development
of society and civilization (topics 3 through 6).

Readers can download the full text of Revelation Revealed from the website of the Committee for the Global Endeavor (http://www.globalendeavor.net/). In addition, readers can download a conceptual summary (five pages) that describes the dis­cussion document as a whole.

Each of the document’s analytical segments can serve as a scenario for intellectual and spiritual drama, the spirited exchanges of insight and inspiration that will almost invariably ensue when readers of The Urantia Book grapple with the pro­vocative, open-ended questions that the text contains. For example, the host and members of a study group could select several pages from one of the twelve topics, and then exchange opinions about them. Another possible approach would be to track through an entire topic, devoting as many meetings as this may require. In any case, the hosts and members of study groups are encouraged to sample Reve­lation Revealed as they think best.

The pioneers in these regards, however, were the experienced readers who exchanged opinions and insights during certain weekly broadcasts of the Internet radio program “Cosmic Citizen” — broadcasts devoted to examining and analyzing selected portions of Revelation Revealed.

Although the cast of characters varied, all participants were veteran readers of The Urantia Book, including Bob Debold, Charles Olivea, Marvin Gawryn, Steven Hecht, Doreen Heyne, Katharina Becker, and André Radatus. Neal Waldrop sought to focus and steer the discussion while serving as the moderator. (Neal wrote Revelation Revealed and chairs the Committee for the Global Endeavor.)

Starting in November 2018, however, the panelists began discussing topic 8 in a video format — webinars conducted via Zoom software and streamed to YouTube. These methods permitted readers of The Urantia Book to view the webinars in real time or at any subsequent moment they found convenient. The video recordings
of these webinars remain available on the YouTube website and can be found at
the following link:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_6QHPLuABZojhdjE8XJRQg

In addition, all of the audio and video recordings are available at separate locations on the Internet — locations corresponding to the links contained in the tables that follow below.

— The audio recordings can be played directly over the Inter­net, simply by clicking on the link for the MP3 file that you wish to listen to (i.e., a left click).

— To download an audio recording, right click on the link for the MP3 file and then choose the appropriate option from the drop-down menu (usually “Save link as … ”).

— Unfortunately, bandwidth factors and similar technical issues make it almost impossible to view the video recordings (MP4 files) directly from these locations on the Internet. If you wish to view a video while you are online, you should navigate to the YouTube folder that is identified above.

— On the other hand, the links to the video recordings (MP4 files) enable you to download them if that is what you wish to do.

Instructions for downloading from Chrome or Firefox:

1.  Right click on the link to the MP4 file.

2.  In the drop-down menu, click on “Save link as … .”

Instructions for downloading from Internet Explorer:

1.  Left click on the link to the MP4 file.

2.  Your download will start automatically

Part One

Epochal Revelation: Policy and Practice

Topic 1

The characteristic patterns of epochal revelation: comprehensive coverage (as in the first, second, and fifth epochal revelations) versus a dominant focus on spiritual and religious aspects (as in the third and fourth epochal revelations).

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

July 1, 2017

Intro., 003-007

001-002

2017-07-01_RR-Intro-T01_P003-007_Q001-002.mp3

July 8, 2017

008-014

003-006

2017-07-08_RR-T01_P008-014_Q003-006.mp3

July 15, 2017

014-020

007-009

2017-07-15_RR-T01_P014-020_Q007-009.mp3

July 22, 2017

020-022

010-011

2017-07-22_RR-T01_P020-022_Q010-011.mp3

July 29, 2017

022-027

012-018

2017-07-29_RR-T01_P022-027_Q012-018.mp3

Aug. 5, 2017

027-031

019-020

2017-08-05_RR-T01_P027-031_Q019-020.mp3

Aug. 12, 2017

031-034

021

2017-08-12_RR-T01_P031-034_Q021.mp3

Aug. 12, 2017

2017-08-12_influential-reasons.pdf

Aug. 19, 2017

034-041

022-026

2017-08-19_RR-T01_P034-041_Q022-026.mp3

 

Topic 2

Why did the revelators bring forth the fifth epochal revelation during the first one-third of the 20th century? Do you believe that the timing of the revelation was influenced by one or more of the circumstances identified below? If so, please explain the relative significance and importance that you assign to each aspect.

a. The spiritual crisis: the fact that the true teachings of Jesus were in danger of being lost.

b. The religious crisis: the decline and relative decadence of organized, institutional religion, at least in many parts of the world with a traditional social and cultural background that was predominantly Christian.

c. The philosophic crisis: the intense threats stemming from secularism and materialism.


d. The political and military crisis: rampantly intolerant nationalism associated with immensely more destructive techniques of warfare.

e. The social and cultural crisis: the need for fundamental advances in many social and cultural dimensions, given the factors that a Melchizedek emphasizes in section 1 of Paper 99 (i.e., 1086:4-6 / 99:1.1-3).

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

Aug. 26, 2017

042-045

027-030

2017-08-26_RR-T02_P042-045_Q027-030.mp3

 

Part Three

The Fifth Epochal Revelation: Six Key Aspects

Topic 7

The extended transition from institutional to personal religion.

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

Jan. 21, 2018

071-075

046

2018-01-21_RR-T07_P071-075_Q046.mp3

Jan. 28, 2018

075-077

047

2018-01-28_RR-T07_P075-077_Q047.mp3

Feb. 4, 2018

077-079

0048-049

2018-02-04_RR-T07_P077-079_Q048-049.mp3

Feb. 11, 2018

079 and part of sec­tions 5 and 6 in UB Paper 155

2018-02-11_RR-T07_P079_UB-P155-5.5-6.9.mp3

Feb. 18, 2018

079-080 and part of section 6 in UB Paper 155

050

2018-02-18_RR-T07_P079-080_Q050_UB-P155-
6.10-19.mp3

Feb. 25, 2018

080-082

051-052

2018-02-25_RR-T07_P080-082_Q051-052.mp3

March 4, 2018

083-085

053-055

2018-03-04_RR-T07_P083-085_Q053-055.mp3

March 11, 2018

085-087

055-058

2018-03-11_RR-T07_P085-087_Q055-058.mp3


NOTE:

From this point onward, the tables identify webinars that were conducted via Zoom and streamed to YouTube. Therefore the links correspond to video recordings, all of them in MP4 format.

— These videos remain available in YouTube and can be viewed there:

https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_6QHPLuABZojhdjE8XJRQg

— If you wish to download one or more of these videos, please proceed as noted below.

Instructions for downloading from Chrome or Firefox:

1.  Right click on the link to the MP4 file.

2.  In the drop-down menu, click on “Save link as … .”

Instructions for downloading from Internet Explorer:

1.  Left click on the link to the MP4 file.

2.  Your download will start automatically.

Topic 8

Comparing and contrasting the true teachings of Jesus with the traditional tenets and practices of organized, institutional Christianity.

Phase 1:  November 24 through December 15, 2018

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

Nov. 24, 2018

088-089

059

2018-11-24_RR-T08_P088-089_Q059.mp4

Dec. 1, 2018

089-091

060

2018-12-01_RR-T08_P089-091_Q060.mp4

Dec. 8, 2018

091-092

2018-12-08_RR-T08_P091-092.mp4

Dec. 15, 2018

092-093

061

2018-12-15_RR-T08_P092-093_Q061.mp4


Documents for phase 1

2018-11-20_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Previews webinar on Nov. 24, 2018

2018-11-29_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Nov. 24, 2018, announces webinar on Dec. 1

2018-12-06_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Dec. 1, 2018, previews webinar on Dec. 8

2018-12-13_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Dec. 8, 2018, previews webinar on Dec. 15

2018-12-15_webinar-excerpt_Neal-Waldrop.pdf

“The purposes of our discussion: Remarks by Neal Waldrop excerpted from webinar 4 on topic 8 of Revelation Revealed (Saturday, December 15, 2018)”

2018-12-21_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Dec. 15, 2018

2018-12-21_webinars_five-messages.pdf

Combines the five messages that previewed and/or summarized the four webinars that we conducted during phase 1 (Nov. 24, Dec. 1, Dec. 8, and Dec. 15)

2018-12-16_Statements about salvation-survival.pdf

“Statements about salvation (survival into the afterlife) that have often been associated with traditional Christianity” — discussed during the webinars on Dec. 8 and Dec. 15


Phase 2:  January 26 through March 2, 2019

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

Jan. 26, 2019

093-095

062

2019-01-26_RR-T08_P093-095_Q062.mp4

Feb. 2, 2019

095-096

ROM-01

2019-02-02_RR-T08_P095-096_ROM-01.mp4

Feb. 9, 2019

096

ROM-02

2019-02-09_RR-T08_P096_ROM-02.mp4

Feb. 16, 2019

096

ROM-03-06

2019-02-16_RR-T08_P096_ROM-03-06.mp4

Feb. 23, 2019

096-099

2019-02-23_RR-T08_P096-099.mp4

March 2, 2019

099-102

063-065

2019-03-02_RR-T08_P099-102_Q063-065.mp4


Documents for phase 2

2019-01-24_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Previews webinar on Jan. 26, 2019

2019-01-31_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Jan. 26, 2019, previews webinar on Feb. 2

2019-02-08_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Feb. 2, 2019, previews webinar on Feb. 9

2019-02-15_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Feb. 9, 2019, previews webinar on Feb. 16

2019-02-21_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Feb. 16, 2019, previews webinar on Feb. 23

2019-03-01_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Feb. 23, 2019, previews webinar on March 2

2019-03-09_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on March 2, 2019

2019-03-09_seven-messages.pdf

Combines the seven messages that previewed and/or summarized the six webinars that we conducted during phase 2 (Jan. 26, Feb. 2, Feb. 9, Feb. 16, Feb. 23, and March 2)

2019-01-17_v2_Romanità.pdf

The essay “Romanità” — discussed during the webinars on Feb. 2, Feb. 9, and Feb. 16

2019-02-08_BD_Urantian religions.jpg

“Urantian religions” (a pie chart) — discussed during the webinar on Feb. 9

2019-02-09_Christianity bar chart.jpg

2019-02-09_Christianity pie chart.jpg

“Christianity — number of members per major denomination: 2.616 billion” (two versions) — discussed during the webinar on Feb. 9


Documents for phase 2  (continued)

Background reading associated with pages 97 through 102 of Revelation Revealed, as discussed during the webinars on Feb. 23 and March 2

2019-02-24_Philip-Jenkins_001-037.pdf

Chapter 1 of the following book by Philip Jenkins: Jesus Wars: How Four Patriarchs, Three Queens, and Two Emperors Decided What Christians Would Believe for the Next 1,500 Years

2019-02-12_Philip-Jenkins_062-073.pdf

Excerpt from Chapter 2 of the same book

2019-02-12_reduced_Charles-Freeman.pdf

Excerpts from the book A New History of Early Christianity by Charles Freeman: the preface and chapters 22, 23, 24, and 29

2019-02-17_Charles-Freeman_261-270.pdf

Chapter 26 of the same book

2019-02-18_Charles-Freeman_321-326.pdf

Chapter 32 of the same book


Phase 3:  April 20 through May 18, 2019

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

April 20, 2019

103

2019-04-20_RR-T08_P103.mp4

April 27, 2019

104-109

066

2019-04-27_RR-T08_P104-109_Q066.mp4

May 4, 2019

109

2019-05-04_RR-T08_P109.mp4

May 11, 2019

109

DR-01-02

2019-05-11_RR-T08_P109_DR-01-02.mp4

May 18, 2019

109

UB-P195-s08

2019-05-18_RR-T08_P109_UB-P195s08.mp4


Documents for phase 3

2019-04-17_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Previews webinar on April 20, 2019

2019-04-26_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on April 20, 2019, previews webinar on April 27

2019-05-03_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on April 27, 2019, previews webinar on May 4

2019-05-10_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on May 4, 2019, previews webinar on May 11

2019-05-17_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on May 11, 2019, previews webinar on May 18

2019-05-24_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on May 18, 2019

2019-05-25_six-messages.pdf

Combines the six messages that previewed and/or summarized the five webinars that we conducted during phase 3 (April 20, April 27, May 4, May 11, and May 18)

2019-05-01_Daniel-Robinson_philosophy-lecture-11-segment-3-plus-glossary-bio.pdf

Segment 3 of lecture 11 (“Hippocrates and the Science of Life”), which is part of a 60-lecture course by Professor Daniel N. Robinson entitled, “The Great Ideas of Philosophy, 2nd Edition” (2004). (This course is available on CDs or on DVDs; it is sponsored by a commercial enterprise with two names, “The Great Courses” and “The Teaching Company.”) Panelists discussed this material during the webinars on May 4 and May 11.


Documents for phase 3  (continued)

UB_1254-1256_P114-s06.pdf

“The Master Seraphim of Planetary Supervision,” section 6 of Paper 114 by the Chief of Seraphim, which is entitled, “Seraphic Planetary Government.” Panelists discussed aspects of this section of Paper 114 during the webinar on May 18.

UB_2081-2082_P195s08.pdf

“Secular Totalitarianism,” section 8 of Paper 195 by the Midwayer Commission, which is entitled, “After Pentecost.” Panelists discussed this section of Paper 195 during the webinars on May 18 and July 20.


Phase 4:  July 20 through August 31, 2019

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

July 20, 2019

109

UB-P195-s08

2019-07-20_RR-T08_P109_UB-P195s08.mp4

July 27, 2019

109

2019-07-27_RR-T08_P109.mp4

Aug. 3, 2019

109

X1

2019-08-03_RR-T08_P109_X1.mp4

Aug. 17, 2019

109

X2-X6

2019-08-17_RR-T08_P109_X2-X6.mp4

Aug. 24, 2019

109

X7-X9, LRRJ-01

2019-08-24_RR-T08_P109_X7-X9_LRRJ-01.mp4

Aug. 31, 2019

089

LRRJ-01-02

2019-08-31_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-01-02.mp4


Documents for phase 4

2019-07-17_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Previews webinar on July 20, 2019

2019-07-25_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on July 20, 2019, previews webinar on July 27

2019-08-03_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on July 27, 2019, previews webinar on August 3

2019-08-09_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on August 3, 2019, previews webinar on August 17

2019-08-22_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on August 17, 2019, previews webinar on August 24

2019-08-29_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on August 24, 2019, previews webinar on August 31

2019-09-07_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on August 31, 2019

2019-09-07_seven-messages.pdf

Combines the seven messages that previewed and/or summarized the five webinars that we conducted during phase 4 (July 20, July 27, August 3, August 17, and August 31)

UB_2081-2082_P195s08.pdf

“Secular Totalitarianism,” section 8 of Paper 195 by the Midwayer Commission, which is entitled, “After Pentecost.” Panelists discussed this section of Paper 195 during the webinars on May 18 and July 20.

190521ny-Douthat_v5_Game-of-Thrones_fantasy.pdf

An article by the columnist Ross Douthat, as published in The New York Times on May 21, 2019: “How ‘Game of Thrones’ Failed Fantasy” — discussed during the webinar on July 20


Documents for phase 4  (continued)

2019-07-27_clergy-special-status.pdf

“Special status for the clergy” — identifies the factors that were discussed during the webinars on July 27 and August 3, 2019

2019-08-03_civil-authority-of-the-popes.pdf

“Civil authority of the popes: the kingdom that the popes established” — lists the questions that were discussed during the webinars on August 3, August 17, and August 24, 2019, as well as the documents providing background information that relates to these questions

Civil authority of the popes:  the kingdom that the popes established

2005-07-26_note-added_Uses-of-history_App-B.pdf

“Appendix B: The Donation of Constantine.” (This is an appendix to a memorandum dated July 26, 2005 in which I maintained quite strenuously that Urantia Foundation — the sponsor and chief publisher of The Urantia Book — should not use images or symbols drawn from the traditions of Christianity, for in my view this would leave an inaccurate and misleading impression.)

2018-10-05_Cantor_076-079_Donation-of-Constantine.pdf

“Civil authority from the chair of Peter: Papal ideology rooted in ‘the Donation of Constantine’” (excerpted from pages 176-179 of The Civilization of the Middle Ages by Norman F. Cantor, a book published in 1993).

2019-06-09_Papal-States_EncyBrit-2015.pdf

“Papal States” (Encyclopaedia Britannica, 2015)


Documents for phase 4  (continued)

Pope Pius IX

2019-06-25_Pius-IX_EncyBrit-2015.pdf

“Pius IX” (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

2019-06-25_Syllabus-of-Errors_Wikipedia.pdf

“Syllabus of Errors” (Wikipedia)

2019-06-25_1864-12-08_v2_Syllabus-of-Errors_Pope-Piux-IX_text.pdf

“The Syllabus:  Pope Pius IX (the text, downloaded from an Internet website)

Infallibility / First Vatican Council 1870
[Source: How the Pope Became Infallible by August Bernhard Hasler (1981) ]

2019-06-25_Hasler-book_dust-jacket.pdf

Biographic information about the author appearing on the dust jacket, along with excerpts from a review

2019-06-26_Hasler-book_introduction.pdf

Introduction by the German theologian Hans Küng

2019-06-15_Küng-Hans_Britannica-2015.pdf

“Küng, Hans” (Encyclopaedia Britannica)

2019-06-18_Küng-Hans_Wikipedia.pdf

“Hans Küng” (Wikipedia)

2019-06-29_Hasler-book_excerpts.pdf

Excerpts from the book by August Bernhard Hasler

Living the Real Religion of Jesus  (June 24, 2019)

2019-06-24_v2_Living-the-real-religion-of-Jesus.pdf

The essay “Living the Real Religion of Jesus,” which the panelists began discussing during our webinars on August 24 and August 31, 2019


Phase 5: October 19 through December 14, 2019

Date

Pages

Question(s)

File name

Oct. 19, 2019

089

LRRJ-02-03 // Q-A

2019-10-19_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-02-03_Q-A.mp4

Nov. 2, 2019

089

LRRJ-03-04

2019-11-02_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-03-04.mp4

Nov. 23, 2019

089

LRRJ-04-06

2019-11-23_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-04-06.mp4

Nov. 30, 2019

089

LRRJ-06

2019-11-30_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-06.mp4

Dec. 7, 2019

089

LRRJ-06

019-12-07_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-06.mp4

Dec. 14, 2019

089

LRRJ-06 // Q-B

2019-12-14_RR-T08_P089_LRRJ-06_Q-B.mp4


Documents for phase 5

2019-10-15_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Previews webinar on October 19, 2019

2019-10-26_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on October 19, 2019, previews webinar on Nov. 2

2019-11-10_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on November 2, 2019, previews webinar on Nov. 23

2019-11-30_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Nov. 23, 2019, previews webinar on Nov. 30

2019-12-07_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Nov. 30, 2019, previews webinar on Dec. 7

2019-12-14_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on Dec. 7, 2019, previews webinar on December 14

2019-12-23_webinar-announcement_E-mail.pdf

Summarizes webinar on December 14, 2019

2019-12-23_seven-messages.pdf

Combines the seven messages that previewed and/or summarized the six webinars that we conducted during phase 5 (October 19, November 2, November 23, November 30, December 7, December 14)

Living the Real Religion of Jesus  (June 24, 2019)

2019-06-24_v2_Living-the-real-religion-of-Jesus.pdf

The essay “Living the Real Religion of Jesus,” which the panelists discussed throughout all six webinars that occurred during phase 5

 


 

NOTE:

The other topics analyzed in Revelation Revealed have not yet been discussed during online webinars. Therefore the listings shown below are just back­ground information, in the hope that some readers will decide to download the complete document from the website of the Committee for the Global Endeavor (http://www.globalendeavor.net/).

 

Part Two

The Global Endeavor: Four Key Characteristics

Topic 3

Avoiding any effort to evangelize, while nonetheless providing information about The Urantia Book upon request. Whether it is reasonable to infer that idealistic service and assistance will eventually cause some people to take an interest in the teachings, as the outcome of personal cooperation and natural curiosity.

Topic 4

The personal relationships that will link idealists, innovators, and reformers operating in society with the members and associates of the substantive working groups. The crucial requirement that the latter avoid any prominent public involvement in any specific initiative or cause.


Topic 5

Why regional associations are and must be the most important structural feature of the Global Endeavor. Why people living in one region will not tell people living in any other region what to do, whereas, on the other hand, it is very reasonable to believe that the members and associates of a substantive working group will benefit very substantially from exchanging ideas and experience with their counterparts in other regions. Why these spontaneous and voluntary efforts to cooperate and coordinate will eventually produce a tremendous value added, immense benefits contributing to the progressive growth and development of human society on a global basis.

Topic 6

The path leading to the founding convention when the Global Endeavor will actually come to life.

 

Part Three

The Fifth Epochal Revelation: Six Key Aspects

(continued)

Topic 9

Comparing and contrasting the ministry of the guardian seraphim and the work of the master seraphim.

Topic 10

Dangers to the home and to family life that stem from the rising tide of self-gratification.

Topic 11

The ongoing evolution of the human mind as a crucial contribution to more advanced levels of society and civilization on our planet Urantia.

Topic 12

Promoting understanding of, loyalty to, and active cooperation with God immanent, especially via our close association with God the Mother, the Supreme Being.

[January 7, 2020]