The life of Jesus of Nazareth is often viewed in isolation—an
extraordinary divine visitation on a troubled world. The Urantia Book,
however, reveals that Jesus’ earthly life was the seventh and final act in a
vast, billion-year programme of experiential incarnation known as the Seven
Bestowals of Christ Michael, Creator Son and Sovereign of the local universe of
Nebadon (119:0.1).
These bestowals were not undertaken to save Michael’s
universe from failure, but to perfect his sovereignty through lived experience,
transforming innate justice into compassionate understanding and experiential
mercy (119:0.4–0.6). This article traces the timeline and meaning of these
seven bestowals, revealing a Creator who chose to know his creatures by
becoming one of them.
The Purpose of the Bestowals
The attribute of bestowal is inherent in all Paradise Sons.
Through incarnation, they draw near to their creatures and reflect the divine
nature of the Universal Father and Eternal Son (119:0.2).
Michael’s bestowals were required before the Ancients of Days
would certify him as supreme sovereign of Nebadon (119:0.3). While
already just and merciful by nature, Michael became understandingly merciful
only through lived experience within the limitations of created life (119:0.4).
These incarnations culminated in full authority, not by
decree, but by earned sovereignty (119:8.2).
First Bestowal: As a Melchizedek Son
(Approximately one billion years ago)
Michael’s first incarnation was as a Melchizedek Son,
appearing suddenly among the Melchizedeks of Nebadon without announcement
(119:1.3). For one hundred Urantia years, he served faithfully on twenty-four
emergency missions, living fully as a Melchizedek (119:1.4–1.5).
Though his identity was never officially disclosed, it was
universally believed that this “strange Melchizedek” was Michael himself
(119:1.6). Through this bestowal, Michael gained intimate insight into the
administrative and teaching ministries of his highest created Sons.
Second Bestowal: As a Lanonandek System Sovereign
(Approximately 150 million years later)
The second bestowal occurred during a major system rebellion.
Michael incarnated as a Lanonandek Son, temporarily ruling a rebellious
system with wisdom, justice, and extraordinary mercy (119:2.4–2.5).
Even the fallen System Sovereign acknowledged Michael’s
righteousness (119:2.6). This bestowal deepened Michael’s understanding of
authority, forgiveness, and the psychology of rebellion—lessons essential for a
compassionate universe ruler.
Third Bestowal: As a Material Son (Adamic Order)
Michael’s third incarnation was as a Material Son,
serving as an emergency Planetary Prince on an isolated and quarantined world
(119:3.3–3.4). Living alone among confused and rebellious beings, he restored
planetary loyalty through patience, wisdom, and love.
This mission profoundly affected all Material Sons
thereafter, assuring them that their Creator truly understood their trials
(119:3.7–3.8).
Fourth Bestowal: As a Seraphic Angel
In his fourth bestowal, Michael lived as a supreme
seraphim, serving as a teaching counsellor on multiple worlds over forty
years (119:4.2–4.3). Never once was his identity confirmed, though all seraphim
were thereafter regarded with reverent care (119:4.4).
Through this experience, Michael became experientially
acquainted with the angelic ministry that tirelessly serves evolving worlds
(119:4.6).
Fifth Bestowal: As an Ascending Mortal Spirit on Uversa
Michael’s fifth incarnation was unprecedented: he appeared on
Uversa as an ascending mortal spirit, known as Eventod (119:5.1–5.2).
For eleven years, he lived exactly as other ascenders—tested, tried, and
trusted (119:5.2).
This bestowal uniquely aligned Michael with the entire
ascension scheme, giving him firsthand knowledge of the long journey from
mortality to Paradise (119:5.3–5.4).
Sixth Bestowal: As a Morontia Mortal
The sixth bestowal saw Michael incarnate as a morontia
mortal on the constellation headquarters of Endantum (119:6.3). Though
details are restricted, this experience was described as one of the most
remarkable in his entire career (119:6.4).
After this bestowal, Michael was universally recognised as
not merely a Creator, but a fellow creature, deeply sympathetic to even
the lowest forms of intelligence (119:6.4–6.6).
Seventh and Final Bestowal: As Jesus of Nazareth on Urantia
(c. 7 BCE – 30 CE)
The final and most perilous bestowal occurred on Urantia,
where Michael incarnated as a helpless human infant, Joshua ben Joseph
(119:7.3–7.5). Unlike previous incarnations, this bestowal required full
submission to the limitations of mortal life, including birth, growth,
suffering, and death (119:7.4–7.7).
Here, Michael lived the will of the Universal Father,
revealing God not as a distant ruler, but as a loving parent (119:8.4). This
mortal life eternally enthroned Michael as supreme sovereign of Nebadon
(119:7.4; 119:8.1).
Post-Bestowal Sovereignty
Upon completion of the seventh bestowal, Michael was
recognised by the Universal Father and the Eternal Son as the settled ruler of
Nebadon (119:8.1). His sovereignty was no longer potential but absolute and
experiential, earned through total identification with his creation
(119:8.2).
Urantia thus became the sentimental shrine of Nebadon,
the world where a Creator fully united divinity and humanity (119:8.8).
Final Thoughts
The seven bestowals of Christ Michael reveal a Creator unlike
any imagined by human theology—a God who chose experience over decree, empathy
over distance, and love over power. From Melchizedek to mortal, from
administrator to carpenter’s son, Michael’s journey demonstrates that true
sovereignty is founded on understanding.
Jesus of Nazareth was not an isolated divine intervention,
but the culmination of a billion-year journey of love, humility, and
experiential wisdom. In him, the universe learned that God rules not by force,
but by living the lives of those he loves.
