Jerusem

Jerusem is the headquarters world of Satania, the local system of about a thousand planets to which Urantia belongs. It is an architectural sphere, a world built to plan rather than evolved, and almost one hundred times the size of Urantia, with slightly less gravity 45:0.1. The Urantia Book describes it as “an average capital of a local system” and “the heaven visualized by the majority of twentieth-century religious believers” 46:0.1.

For surviving mortals, Jerusem is the first real destination after death. Ascenders pass through the seven mansion worlds, which orbit Jerusem's satellites, and are then received on the capital itself as citizens 47:9.4. The book presents Jerusem as “far more material than spiritual”: the stage of the afterlife closest to earthly life 46:2.7.

Physical world

Jerusem has no sun of its own. Energy circulating in zone channels around the sphere heats it to about 70 °F in full light and a little under 50 °F at the low point of the day 46:1.3. Light is projected upward from one hundred thousand power centers, reflected off an electric “air-ceiling,” and sifts back down evenly from every direction, so that “the light rays do not seem to come from one place” 46:1.4-5. A consequence the book points out: worlds like Jerusem are not luminous in space, and if Jerusem were near Urantia it would not be visible 46:1.5. A few nearby suns appear in its sky only as brilliant starlight 46:1.8.

There are no days and nights in the usual sense. Light holds steady for three quarters of the Jerusem day, then recedes to about the brightness of a full moon for a quiet period of rest 46:1.7. The Satania day equals three Urantia days less about an hour; the system year is one hundred such days 46:1.2.

The landscape has no rugged mountains, because there are no earthquakes and no rainfall 46:2.1. Instead there are highlands, enormous regions kept in a natural state, and “thousands upon thousands of small lakes but no raging rivers nor expansive oceans.” Moisture comes from dew during the light recession and from a subsoil water system that reaches the tops of the highlands 46:2.2. The air is a three-gas mixture, Urantia-like air plus a gas that morontia beings breathe 46:2.3.

On Jerusem you will miss the rugged mountain ranges of Urantia and other evolved worlds since there are neither earthquakes nor rainfalls, but you will enjoy the beauteous highlands and other unique variations of topography and landscape.46:2.1

Getting around

Transport follows the main energy currents, spaced ten miles apart, at speeds from two to five hundred miles an hour. Transport birds fly at about a hundred miles an hour, and the air machines of the Material Sons at about five hundred 46:2.4. The highest point on the world, Mount Seraph, almost fifteen thousand feet, is the departure point for transport seraphim: one leaves every three seconds through the light period, taking off at about twenty-five miles per second 46:2.8.

Arrivals land on the sea of glass, a vast crystal field surrounded by receiving stations; nearby, visitors can climb the pearly observatory to see a relief map of the whole planet 46:2.9. The sea of glass is also the great gathering field of the capital, the site of social assemblies 45:2.6 and of the broadcast reception from Paradise, when “the entire population is assembled around the sea of glass” 46:3.3.

Layout of the capital

Jerusem is divided into one thousand latitudinal sectors and ten thousand longitudinal zones, with seven major capitals and seventy minor administrative centers 46:1.1. The book describes a geometric plan common to all system capitals in Nebadon 46:4.1-6:

• Circles, the residential areas of non-native beings: the Sons of God, the angels, the Universe Aids, the Master Physical Controllers, ascending mortals, the courtesy colonies and the finaliters 46:5.1-8. Each is a set of seven concentric, terraced circles, walled by promenades of “crystal gems of gleaming brightness” 46:5.9-11.
• Squares, one thousand of them in ten departments, housing the system administration. The buildings are transparent, so anyone can watch the work 46:6.1-12.
• Rectangles, one thousand, home to the native life of the planet, centered on the headquarters of the spornagia, the gardeners of the capital 46:7.1-2.
• Triangles, one hundred, which run the purely local affairs of Jerusem 46:8.1.

Landmarks

• The broadcast amphitheater, built of “scintillating materials largely unknown on Urantia” and seating over five billion beings. Following universe news here is “the favorite diversion for all Jerusem” 46:3.2.
• The Michael memorial, built in the open space at the center of the circles of the Sons after Michael’s bestowal on Urantia. Michael was present at its dedication, 495 years before the text was written 46:5.19.
• The exhibit panorama, a promenade five thousand miles around the circles of the angels, showing the current state of every inhabited world in Satania 46:5.23.
• The 619 planetary memorials in the circles of the ascending mortals, which mortals from each world may alter over time 46:5.27.
• The sealed temple at the center of the finaliters’ circles, inscribed “Undedicated to the seventh stage of spirit—to the eternal assignment” and sealed by Gabriel 46:5.32.

Rebellion and its traces

Jerusem was the seat of the Lucifer rebellion. Lucifer and his first assistant Satan had ruled from Jerusem for more than half a million years before they turned against Michael 53:2.1, and the Lucifer manifesto was proclaimed on the sea of glass at the annual conclave of Satania, about two hundred thousand years ago 53:4.1. Satania was then cut off from the constellation, and Urantia and other planets that joined the rebellion were isolated from the system circuits 46:8.2-3.

The history panorama around the triangles still shows the damage: “an erasure of over two standard miles in this circular story,” to be restored when Satania is readmitted to the constellation of Norlatiadek 46:8.1.

Jerusem and the Bible

The book links Jerusem to the heaven of the New Testament. It reads John’s vision of “a sea of glass mingled with fire,” with the victorious standing on it and singing, as a glimpse of mortals arriving from the seventh mansion world 47:10.2 Rev 15:2-3. The “four and twenty elders” of Revelation are identified with the twenty-four counselors on Jerusem 45:4.1 Rev 4:4, and the “war in heaven” of Revelation 12 with the Lucifer rebellion 53:7.12 Rev 12:7-9.

See the plate

The illustration on this page follows the text closely: a sky with no sun, highlands without rugged peaks, small still lakes, transport birds, and transports rising from Mount Seraph. Its building shapes are invented. See the plate’s record.

Index of references

Jerusem, the headquarters of Satania, consists of seven transition worlds encircled by seven satellites, including the seven mansion worlds of morontia detention. 15:7.5 15:14.6 45:0.1

The headquarters world of system #24 in constellation Norlatiadek is called Jerusem. 15:14.6

It is the first place we will be taken to after crossing the threshold of death.

Location

• Satania, home to Jerusem, is located far from the physical center of the superuniverse of Orvonton, over 200,000 light years away from Uversa. 32:2.11
• Jerusem is located near the astronomic center of Satania, an enormous dark island of space. 41:2.2
• Jerusem, the headquarters of Satania, is the heaven visualized by most modern believers, a typical capital of a local system slowly eradicating disharmony and restoring order and good will. 46:0.1

How it is envisioned

• On Jerusem, the composite activities encompass service, study, relaxation, social intercourse, group entertainment, and divine worship, offering great educational value through interaction with diverse personalities and orders. 46:5.29
• John the Revelator saw a vision of advancing mortals arriving at Jerusem, standing on a sea of glass mingled with fire, singing the song of deliverance. 47:10.2
• John and Paul saw visions of the ascendant-citizen corps on Jerusem, a place of spiritual significance and enlightenment. 34:4.11 47:10.2-3
• Despite irregularities caused by the Lucifer rebellion and Michael's bestowal, Jerusem is steadily progressing towards becoming a heavenly capital typical of similar spheres in the Satania local system. 46:0.1
• Every ascendant citizen of Jerusem emerged triumphant and victorious after the fiery trial of the “war in heaven”, with none lost in rebellion. 53:7.12
• Unity and celebration greet the triumphant ascenders on Jerusem, as they advance on their morontia journey towards higher realms. 47:10

Councils on Jerusem

• The four and twenty counselors on Jerusem, designated agents for executing special requests and unusual mandates, are the personal agents of Christ Michael. 34:4.11 45:4.1
• Every century, ten representatives from each system are chosen by the Jerusem council of 1000 to serve in the constellation legislature, selected from graduates of the Melchizedek College of Administration. 45:7.4
• There is evidence to suggest that Caligastia's seat in the council of Planetary Princes on Jerusem was filled during Jesus' tomb. 188:3.14
• The executive council of Satania, under the leadership of Hanavard, provides guidance and support for the diverse beings overseeing the administration of Jerusem. 45:3.8-21

Inhabitants of Jerusem

• Machiventa Melchizedek, the only Son of this order to bestow himself upon the Urantia races, has headquarters on Jerusem. 45:4.16
• Adam and Eve, members of the senior corps of Material Sons on Jerusem, were chosen for the mission of Adamic adventure on Urantia, loyal to Michael and fully equipped for their new responsibilities. 74:1
• The archangel corps of Nebadon, including the first-born of the order, have a divisional headquarters on Urantia which attracts the attention of extra-Nebadon student visitors. 37:3.3
• On Jerusem, friendly relationships between Material Sons, angels, and ascending pilgrims endear the system capital to the ascending mortals. 39:4.17-18
• Galantia, an ascendant superangel, maintains headquarters on Jerusem, the first of his kind to achieve such a lofty position. 37:2.6
• The Master Physical Controller on Jerusem supervises the physical-energy system of Satania. 41:2.3

Jerusem organization

• Jerusem, the physical and architectural center of Satania, comprises fifty-seven spheres of varying sizes, all meticulously maintained and governed by native spornagia and the Master Physical Controllers. 45:0-1 46:1-2
• Jerusem, the system capital of Satania, is a cluster of architectural spheres, including itself, its seven major satellites, and forty-nine subsatellites, being almost 100 times larger than Urantia with slightly less gravity. 45:0.1
• The executive, residential, and administrative areas on Jerusem are structured in circles, squares, rectangles, and triangles, reflecting a common design found in all system capitals of Nebadon but subject to variation in other universes according to the Creator Sons' plans. 46:4.6
• The circles of the courtesy colonies on Jerusem showcase stunning structures and beautiful headquarters created by celestial artisans. 46:5.30-31
• As mansion worlds are traversed, new sectors of Jerusem open up to ascending mortals, revealing progressive grandeurs. 47:6.1
• The central area of the circles of the ascending mortals on Jerusem is adorned with 619 planetary memorials, reflecting the diverse inhabited worlds of the system through periodically changing structures. 46:5.27
• The exhibit panorama of Jerusem, 35,000 miles around with a 14-mile erasure, showcases the evolving status of the peopled worlds of Satania, overseen by native Jerusem residents and ascenders from Satania worlds. 46:5.23-24 46:8.1
• The circles of the courtesy colonies are graced by the vast astronomic observatory and art gallery of Jerusem. 46:5.30
• The Jerusem circles encompass residential areas for major groups of universe life and include the circles of the Sons of God, angels, Universe Aids, Master Physical Controllers, ascending mortals, courtesy colonies, and the Corps of the Finality, each consisting of seven successively elevated circles around administration hill. 46:5
• Ascending mortals and midway creatures are forbidden from the circles of the Master Physical Controllers and the dematerializing sector on Jerusem. 46:5.26
• The Michael memorial at Jerusem's center is the focal point for all activities in the system, commemorating Michael's bestowal on Urantia. 46:5.19
• On Jerusem, the rectangles of lower native life are the rendezvous of the spornagia, who cultivate the land for aesthetic and ornamental effects. 46:4.4 46:7
• The immense assembly hall of Jerusem's reversion directors' theater is a centerpiece of the courtesy colonies. 46:5.30
• The temples of Material Sons house the records and power on Jerusem. 45:5.1 (46:5.22,26)
• Local affairs on Jerusem are directed from the one hundred triangles surrounding the ten structures of local administration. 46:8
• The undedicated vacant temple sealed by Gabriel on Jerusem symbolizes the seventh stage of spirit and carries the inscription “Undedicated to the eternal assignment.” 46:5.32
• The central area of the circles of the ascending mortals on Jerusem features a working model of Edentia worlds. 46:5.27

Physical aspects

• The atmosphere of Jerusem is a three-gas mixture, with a gas adapted for the respiration of the morontia order of life. 46:2.3
• The construction of Jerusem and its satellites marked the beginning of physical creation in Nebadon, designed to accommodate various stages of being. 32:2.3
• The equable temperature of Jerusem is expertly controlled and maintained without abrupt changes in light or heat. 46:1.3-7
• The celestial artisans create buildings of crystal gems and other precious materials, showcasing transparent structures visible to all visitors. 46:5.31 46:6.12
• Jerusem, devoid of organic evolution or survival of fittest, showcases a harmonious blend of physical and morontia life, reflecting the divine perfection of the central universe. 46:2.5
• On Jerusem, there are no rugged mountains, oceans, earthquakes, or rainfall, but there are beauteous highlands and thousands of small lakes connected by sparkling canals. 46:2.1-2
• The “gradant” weight on Jerusem is precisely ten ounces and the Jerusem mile is equivalent to seven Urantia miles, while a Satania day equals three Urantia days minus one hour, four minutes, and fifteen seconds. 46:1.2
• On Jerusem, the transportation system allows material beings to travel at speeds ranging from two to five hundred miles per hour, while transport birds fly at around one hundred miles an hour and Material Sons use air mechanisms that travel at approximately five hundred miles per hour, as early morontia and material beings depend on these mechanical means of transport, unlike spirit personalities who rely on superior forces and spirit energy sources for their movement. 46:2.4
• Transports depart from Mount Seraph every three seconds, reaching over two thousand miles away at standard velocity. 46:2.8

Broadcasts

• The Jerusem broadcast-receiving station, encircled by an enormous amphitheater seating 5 billion beings, is the favorite diversion for all Jerusem to stay informed about the universe. 46:3.2
• On Jerusem, broadcasts from the superuniverse and Paradise-Havona are received through a technique involving the polar crystal, the sea of glass, in liaison with Salvington, with separate groups of stations for local world, constellation headquarters, and local universe broadcasts, providing an engaging and engrossing diversion for all beings present in the central broadcast amphitheater. 46:3

Economy

• The intricate material economy of Jerusem showcases a perfection of mechanical technique and physical achievement that would astonish even the most experienced chemists and inventors. 46:2.7
• The material economy and physical achievements on Jerusem would astonish even the most experienced chemists and inventors, as this first world of detention in the Paradise journey is more like earth life than spirit existence. 46:2.7

Suffrage

• On Jerusem, universal suffrage is weighted by mota achievement, assigning values ranging from one to one thousand based on individual wisdom levels. 45:7.6

Transitional culture worlds

• Jerusem, the central hub of Satania, is host to seven transitional culture worlds, each with seven satellites, including the seven mansion worlds of morontia detention. 15:7.5 45:1.1
• # finaliters’ world
• # morontia world
• # angelic world
• # superangel world
• # world of the Sons. Jerusem is the headquarters world of the Sons of all orders, including creature-trinitized sons, surrounded by seven worlds dedicated to these divinely related beings. 45:1.7
• # world of the Spirit. In Jerusem, Number 6 stands as the world of the Spirit, serving as the system rendezvous for high personalities of the Infinite Spirit. 45:1.8
• # world of the Father
• Jerusem, the headquarters of our local system of Satania, has seven mansion worlds which swing around world #1, each surrounded by seven satellites, serving as the transitional culture for ascending mortals. 15:7.5 47:0.1-2
• The World of the Father, a silent transition sphere circling, welcomes all system beings as worshipers at its great temple of light. 45:1.9

Bible parallels

Passages that the paragraphs cited above parallel, quote or reinterpret, from Duane Faw’s Paramony cross-references. Hover a reference to read it.

• Jerusem (system headquarters) 15:7.5 — Rev 21:2 ff.
• Sea of glass & fire 47:10.2 — Rev 4:6; Rev 15:2-3.
• Harp of God 47:10.2 — Rev 5:8; Rev 14:2; Rev 15:2.
• Seven spirits of God — like lamps 34:4.11 — Rev 4:5.
• 24 sentinels / elders 34:4.11 — Rev 4:4,10.
• After two years war in heaven 53:7.12 — Rev 12:7.
• No Jerusem citizen lost 53:7.12 — Rev 12:8.
• Judgment seat 45:4.1 — Rev 4:2.
• Four & twenty elders 45:4.1 — Rev 4:4.
• Machiventa Melchizedek 45:4.16 — Gn 14:18ff; Ps 110:4; Heb 5:6,10; Heb 6:20; Heb 7:1-3,10,17,21; Heb 7:21.
• Many mansions in universe 47:0.1 — Jn 14:2.

Where it appears

Jerusem is linked in 111 paragraphs of the text; the first 40 are listed.

See also

• architectural spheres
• mansion worlds
• Satania

What links here