Paper 45 Overview: The Local System Administration

The administrative center of Satania comprises a cluster of fifty-seven architectural spheres, including Jerusem itself (the system capital), seven major satellites, and forty-nine subsatellites arranged in a precise spatial and functional configuration. Jerusem, approximately one hundred times the size of Urantia but with slightly less gravity, serves as the central administrative hub for the 619 inhabited worlds in the local system. The physical infrastructure of these worlds operates through an integrated system of independent lighting, heating, water circulation, and energy distribution, coordinated through the technical expertise of the Satania Power Center and Master Physical Controllers, with maintenance assistance from the native spornagia.

The governance structure of Satania operates under the leadership of Lanaforge, the successor to the rebellious Lucifer, with a Lanonandek administration supported by various councils and specialized entities. This administration oversees the complex socialization and educational processes that ascending mortals experience as they progress through the mansion worlds and eventually prepare for the broader experiences of the constellation level. The current administrative system reflects adaptations made necessary by the Lucifer rebellion, including expanded oversight from the Constellation Fathers and specialized roles dedicated to managing the rebellion's aftermath. Through the institutional frameworks of the transitional culture worlds, the Material Sons, and the Melchizedek schools, the system government facilitates the progressive transformation of ascending mortals from material beings into morontia citizens capable of participating in representative government.

The administrative center of Satania consists of a cluster of architectural spheres, fifty-seven in number: Jerusem itself, the seven major satellites, and the forty-nine subsatellites. Jerusem, the system capital, is almost one hundred times the size of Urantia, although its gravity is a trifle less. The seven mansion worlds, where ascending mortals begin their post-mortal existence, are specifically positioned as the seven subsatellites of transition world number one, creating a logical progression of ascending spheres through which developing souls can advance in their journey toward perfection. This configuration represents a deliberately structured pathway of celestial advancement designed to facilitate the progressive transformation of material beings into spirit entities.

This entire system of fifty-seven architectural worlds is independently lighted, heated, watered, and energized by the co-ordination of the Satania Power Center and the Master Physical Controllers in accordance with the established technique of the physical organization and arrangement of these specially created spheres. The physical maintenance of these worlds does not occur through natural processes as found on evolutionary planets, but rather through specialized techniques and systems that transcend typical material world patterns. These worlds are also physically cared for and otherwise maintained by the native spornagia, specialized beings whose primary function is the physical upkeep of these architectural realms, ensuring their continuous functionality as habitation and training spheres for the various orders of personality who reside thereon.

The seven major worlds encircling Jerusem are generally designated as the transitional culture spheres, with their rulers appointed periodically by the Jerusem supreme executive council based on their qualifications and expertise in specific domains of administration. These spheres are numbered and functionally organized as follows: Number 1, the Finaliter World, serves as the headquarters of the finaliter corps and is surrounded by the seven mansion worlds dedicated to mortal ascension. This world is accessible to inhabitants of all seven mansion worlds through pilgrimages facilitated by transport seraphim, designed to cultivate faith in the ultimate destiny of transition mortals. Although finaliters and their structures are not ordinarily perceptible to morontia vision, energy transformers and Morontia Power Supervisors occasionally enable ascending mortals to glimpse these high spirit personalities who have completed the Paradise ascension and returned as living pledges that mortals can indeed complete the stupendous journey to perfection.

The remaining six transition worlds serve equally specialized functions within the system's economy: Number 2, the Morontia World, functions as headquarters for supervisors of morontia life, surrounded by seven spheres where morontia chiefs train associates and helpers; Number 3, the Angelic World, serves as headquarters for seraphic hosts engaged in system activities; Number 4, the Superangel World, provides a home for Brilliant Evening Stars and their associates; Number 5, the World of the Sons, serves as headquarters for divine Sons of all orders; Number 6, the World of the Spirit, functions as the system rendezvous for high personalities of the Infinite Spirit; and Number 7, the World of the Father, stands as a silent sphere dominated by a central temple of light where all beings from system worlds are welcomed as worshipers. The seven satellites surrounding the Father's world currently serve as detention spheres for the interned groups from the Lucifer rebellion. This provides a sobering spectacle that ascending mortals from the seventh mansion world may visit as a solemn warning regarding the consequences of rejecting the divine plan.

The seventy training worlds associated with these seven major transitional spheres provide specialized environments where ascending mortals receive targeted instruction in various aspects of universal citizenship and cosmic awareness. As ascending mortals progress through the mansion world sequence, they simultaneously gain eligibility to visit the transitional headquarters worlds and their associated satellites, providing a dimensional expansion of their cosmic education. This carefully orchestrated series of experiences ensures that no ascending mortal leaves the system headquarters without thorough preparation in all essential aspects of universal understanding appropriate to the system level of advancement.

The chief executive of a local system of inhabited worlds is a primary Lanonandek Son, designated as the System Sovereign and endowed with substantial executive authority and unusual personal prerogatives of discretion. In the local universe of Nebadon, these sovereigns have been granted exceptionally wide powers of personal direction in system affairs, far greater than those typically found in other universes within Orvonton. This arrangement has proven generally successful, as evidenced by the fact that in all of Nebadon's history, these untrammeled executives have exhibited disloyalty only three times, with the Lucifer rebellion in Satania representing the most recent and widespread instance of such betrayal.

Despite the catastrophic upheaval caused by the Lucifer rebellion, no fundamental changes have been implemented in Satania's administrative structure; the present System Sovereign, Lanaforge, possesses essentially all the power and authority previously invested in his unworthy predecessor, with the exception of certain matters now under the supervision of the Constellation Fathers that the Ancients of Days have not yet fully restored to his jurisdiction. Lanaforge has established himself as a gracious and brilliant ruler, having demonstrated his loyalty to Michael during an earlier universe upheaval in Nebadon. His most distinctive accomplishment occurred during the second system rebellion in Nebadon when, serving as first assistant to the rebellious System Sovereign, he seized control of the government and managed affairs so effectively that relatively few personalities were lost from either the headquarters worlds or the inhabited planets in that unfortunate system. This steadfast loyalty in the face of superior authority's default has earned Lanaforge the singular distinction of being the only primary Lanonandek Son in all Nebadon to have functioned so faithfully under such challenging circumstances, ensuring his continued tenure until all consequences of the rebellion are fully resolved.

Although not all affairs of Satania's isolated worlds have been returned to Lanaforge's jurisdiction, he demonstrates exceptional interest in their welfare through frequent visits, including to Urantia. In normal system operations, the Sovereign presides over the council of world rulers, consisting of Planetary Princes and resident governors general of isolated worlds, which assembles periodically at the system headquarters. Additionally, every ten days on Jerusem, the Sovereign holds a conclave with one group from the various orders of personalities domiciled on the headquarters world, fostering a remarkable fraternity between diverse beings and maintaining direct communication with all levels of system administration.

The administration of Satania currently operates through an expanded staff of seven Lanonandek Sons, constituting an emergency administration necessitated by the Lucifer rebellion. This governing body includes: Lanaforge (number 2,709 of the primary order) as System Sovereign and successor to Lucifer; Mansurotia (number 17,841 of the tertiary Lanonandeks) as first assistant Sovereign; Sadib (number 271,402 of the tertiary order) as second assistant Sovereign; Holdant (number 19 of the tertiary corps) as custodian of the system and controller of interned spirits; Vilton (number 374 of the third order) as system recorder; Fortant (number 319,847 of the secondary Lanonandek reserves) as bestowal director managing universe activities transplanted to Jerusem since Michael's bestowal; and Hanavard (number 67 of the primary Lanonandek Sons) as high counselor and acting chairman of the executive council.

The Lanonandek administration is supported by the Jerusem executive council, a supreme advisory body comprising twelve members drawn from key constituencies within the system. This council includes: Hanavard (the Lanonandek chairman), Lanaforge (the System Sovereign), Mansurotia (the first assistant Sovereign), the chief of Satania Melchizedeks, the acting director of the Satania Life Carriers, the chief of Satania finaliters, the supervising head of the Material Sons (the original Adam of Satania), the director of the Satania seraphic hosts, the chief of physical controllers, the director of Morontia Power Supervisors, the acting director of midway creatures, and the acting head of the corps of ascending mortals. Prior to the rebellion, Satania sent three representatives from this council to serve on the supreme council at universe headquarters, but this representation remains suspended as a consequence of the rebellion. Since Michael's bestowal, however, the system has resumed sending ten members to participate in the Edentia legislature, demonstrating a partial restoration of normal interrelationships with higher administrative levels.

This administrative structure exemplifies the representative principles that characterize universal governance throughout the superuniverse of Orvonton. System administration functions primarily as an executive entity responsible for implementing and enforcing decisions made at higher levels, while also providing appropriate governance within its own domain. The specialized nature of the current administrative configuration reflects adaptations made necessary by the extraordinary circumstances of the Lucifer rebellion, incorporating additional supervisory roles and specific functions dedicated to managing the rebellion's aftermath and facilitating eventual full reintegration of Satania into the normal patterns of system operation within Nebadon.

At the center of the seven angelic residential circles on Jerusem lies the headquarters of the Urantia advisory council, consisting of twenty-four counselors whom John the Revelator accurately identified as the "four and twenty elders." The central throne within this assembly serves as the judgment seat of the presiding archangel, specifically designated for resurrection roll calls that determine the dispensational progression of Satania. The twenty-four surrounding seats, installed approximately nineteen hundred years ago following Christ Michael's elevation to full sovereignty over Nebadon, accommodate Michael's personal representatives on Jerusem. These counselors possess extraordinary authority to act on Michael's behalf in matters concerning Satania's roll calls and in executing the special requests of Gabriel or the unusual mandates of Michael himself.

The composition of this uniquely Urantian advisory council represents a cross-section of significant personalities from earth's evolutionary history, specifically those who made transformative spiritual contributions to the planet's development. The council includes representatives from each of the eight Urantia races: spiritual pioneers from the pre-Planetary Prince era such as Onagar (who taught worship of "The Breath Giver"); teachers from post-Planetary Prince times like Mansant (who directed veneration toward "The Great Light"); racial leaders such as Onamonalonton (who guided the red race to worship "The Great Spirit"), Orlandof (who led the blue race to recognize "The Supreme Chief"), Porshunta (who taught the orange race about "The Great Teacher"), Singlangton (who introduced the yellow race to monotheism), Fantad (who delivered the green race from darkness), and Orvonon (who enlightened the indigo races). Additionally, the council includes Adam and Eve (rehabilitated after their default), Enoch (the first mortal to fuse with his Thought Adjuster during physical life), Moses (the emancipator of the violet race remnant), Elijah (a translated soul of brilliant spiritual achievement), Machiventa Melchizedek (appointed as vicegerent Planetary Prince of Urantia), John the Baptist (the forerunner of Michael's bestowal mission), and 1-2-3 the First (the leader of loyal midway creatures).

Eight of the twenty-four seats serve specialized functions related to Urantia's future development: seats numbered 17 through 20 are temporarily filled by unanimous consent of the sixteen permanent members, being reserved for ascending mortals from the current postbestowal Son age on Urantia; seats numbered 21 through 24 are likewise temporarily occupied while being held in reserve for the great teachers of subsequent ages, including anticipated eras of Magisterial Sons, Teacher Sons, and the ages of light and life. This forward-looking arrangement demonstrates the divine administration's anticipation of Urantia's progressive spiritual evolution, regardless of when specific divine visitations may occur. The council's composition thus represents both historical spiritual achievements and prophetic recognition of Urantia's destiny, providing a uniquely personalized administrative connection between this isolated rebel world and the broader universe government.

The domain of the Material Sons constitutes one of the most significant divisions of celestial life on Jerusem, with their chief temple serving as the central abode for these beings who represent the highest order of sex-reproducing personalities in the local system. This domain encompasses an enormous area comprising one thousand centers, although each family of Material Sons and Daughters maintains its own individual estate until departing for either service on evolutionary worlds or commencement of their Paradise-ascension career. The Material Sons are genuinely physical beings, distinctly visible to the mortal races of inhabited worlds, who function as the final physical link in the chain of personalities extending from divinity and perfection downward to humanity and material existence, providing inhabited worlds with a mutually contactable intermediary between the invisible Planetary Prince and the material creatures of the realms.

According to the most recent millennial registration on Salvington, Nebadon contained 161,432,840 Material Sons and Daughters with citizenship status on the local system capitals, with their numbers varying between systems and constantly increasing through natural reproduction regulated not merely by personal desires but also by guidance from higher governing bodies and advisory councils. As permanent inhabitants of Jerusem and its associated worlds, these beings occupy vast estates and participate extensively in local administration of the capital sphere, managing virtually all routine affairs with assistance from midwayers and ascending mortals. They have established a remarkable society on Jerusem, where they experiment with ideals of self-government similar to the Melchizedek approach, achieving an advanced form of social organization characterized by universal suffrage and representative governance, with higher orders of sonship retaining only veto authority over their realm. The Melchizedeks maintain strong educational faculties on each system headquarters for instructing younger generations of Material Sons, providing educational and spiritual training systems that represent the pinnacle of perfection in scope, technique, and practicality.

The distinctive role of the Material Sons within the universal economy of Nebadon underscores the methodical arrangement through which divine administration bridges the gap between spirit and matter. Although they themselves are not eligible for admission to the Melchizedek University of Salvington due to their material nature and planetary limitations, the Material Sons fulfill essential functions in preparing other ascending beings for progress toward higher spiritual attainment. Their unique position in the order of universe personalities illustrates the principle that each level of existence serves both those above and those below it in the grand scheme of universal advancement, creating interconnections that facilitate the ultimate transformation of material creatures into perfected spirit beings.

The Material Sons and Daughters, along with their children, present a captivating spectacle that invariably arouses curiosity and interest among all ascending mortals, who find in these semiphysical sex creatures sufficient similarities to their own material origins to establish meaningful fraternal connections. This association proves immensely valuable to mortal survivors, who spend considerable leisure time on the system capital observing and studying the life habits and conduct of these superior beings who serve as their immediate sponsors and mentors throughout their sojourn on Jerusem. The relationship between ascending mortals and the Adamic families creates a transitional social environment that helps bridge the gap between purely material existence and the more spiritualized states that lie ahead in the ascension career.

This association between Material Sons and ascending mortals serves a crucial compensatory function in the universal plan, as the seven mansion worlds provide environments where ascending mortals can compensate for experiential deprivations suffered on their worlds of origin, particularly those related to family and social development. Many mortals reach the mansion worlds without having benefited from normal and healthy sex relations on their native spheres, creating deficiencies in social, intellectual, emotional, and spiritual development that would otherwise persist as handicaps in their ascension career. Through close association with the Material Sons and Daughters, both individually and as family units, these sex-deficient mortals can compensate for these deprivations, acquiring essential experiences in the social aspects of well-ordered family life. This compensatory training extends to all ascending beings, including midway creatures and evolutionary seraphim, who must experience parental relationships either directly or through analogous experiences before ascending to Paradise, as the relationship between parent and child represents a fundamental concept essential to understanding the Universal Father's relationship with his universe children.

The comprehensive nature of this training is further evidenced by the existence of a probation nursery on the first transitional-culture world of Jerusem, where certain children of surviving mortals who perished before acquiring spiritual status are reassembled and granted the opportunity to continue development. Mansion world students with children in this nursery may obtain temporary transfer to serve as associate parents, fulfilling half their required training in parental functions. This meticulously organized system ensures that no ascending being progresses toward Paradise without acquiring the essential emotional, intellectual, and spiritual insights derived from the parent-child relationship, underscoring the universal principle that complete personality development requires comprehensive experiential knowledge of all fundamental relationship patterns that characterize the divine order.

The Melchizedeks direct an extensive corps of instructors, including partially spiritualized will creatures and others, who function throughout Jerusem and its associated worlds, with particular emphasis on the seven mansion worlds that serve as detention planets for rehabilitating those mortals who failed to achieve Adjuster fusion during physical life. These educational initiatives provide extended opportunities for spiritual attainment to souls whose progress was prematurely interrupted by death or hindered by hereditary limitations, unfavorable environment, or other circumstantial challenges. The educational activities within this system include collaboration with Brilliant Evening Stars and Trinity Teacher Sons, though these efforts extend beyond ascending mortals to encompass the progressive training of native spirit personalities indigenous to Nebadon.

The Melchizedek Sons operate more than thirty different educational centers on Jerusem, beginning with the foundational college of self-evaluation and culminating in the advanced schools of Jerusem citizenship, where Material Sons and Daughters join with Melchizedeks in their supreme effort to prepare mortal survivors for the responsibilities associated with representative government. This educational system exemplifies the universal principle that representative government represents the divine ideal for self-governance among nonperfect beings, as evidenced by the selection process for system representatives to the constellation legislature. Every hundred years of universe time, each system selects ten representatives through a carefully structured electoral process involving the Jerusem council of one thousand electors—all graduates of the highest school of the Melchizedek College of Administration. This electoral body, charged with representing system groups in delegated matters, exemplifies the meritocratic principles that characterize universe governance, where suffrage is universal but differentially weighted according to registered personal possession of mota (morontia wisdom), with votes ranging in value from one to one thousand based on certified attainment levels.

Under Melchizedek supervision, ascending mortals, particularly those experiencing delays in personality unification at new morontia levels, receive intensive training from Material Sons designed to rectify deficiencies and ensure balanced development before proceeding to the more extensive socialization experiences at the constellation level. This certification process emphasizes the attainment of mota personality, representing an integration of completed mortal experience with emerging morontia awareness, harmonized through the spiritual guidance of the Thought Adjuster. The thoroughness of this preparation demonstrates the universal principle that genuine advancement requires complete readiness at each level before progression to greater responsibilities, ensuring that no ascending being moves forward with uncorrected deficiencies that might impede their ultimate perfection attainment.