Paper 120 Overview: The Bestowal of Michael on Urantia

Michael, a Creator Son, had bestowed himself six times before as different orders of beings in his universe. His final bestowal would be on Urantia (earth) as a human, which would complete his required experience to gain full sovereignty of his universe. This seventh bestowal allowed Michael to learn about human life firsthand and to reveal God more fully.

Before coming to earth as Jesus, Michael met with Immanuel, his Paradise counselor. He handed over his universe authority to Immanuel and Gabriel during his absence. This meeting set the stage for Michael's human life, where he would live as a normal person while still fulfilling his divine mission.

I, the Melchizedek director of the revelatory commission, am authorized to tell the story of what happened right before Michael (Jesus) came to Urantia as a human. Every Creator Son must bestow himself in the likeness of the beings he created to earn full sovereignty of his universe. Michael had already completed six bestowals, taking on the form of six different types of beings he had created.

Michael was preparing for his seventh and final bestowal on Urantia as a human being. Throughout his previous bestowals, Michael had voluntarily worked with the Paradise Trinity rather than ruling his universe alone. He wanted to earn the right to rule not just as a Creator Son, but with the wisdom and experience that comes from working with the Supreme Being.

When Michael was about to make his seventh bestowal, he met with Immanuel, his Paradise counselor. Immanuel presented the seventh bestowal commission, explaining what Michael would experience. He told Michael that he would be born as a helpless baby on Urantia, a new and difficult experience for a Creator Son.

Immanuel explained that he would take over governing the universe while Michael was away as a human. He reminded Michael that for this bestowal, he would be fully subject to the will of his Paradise Father. This would teach Michael the true meaning of the faith and trust he asked of his own creatures.

Immanuel outlined limitations for Michael's bestowal. He explained that Michael would grow up as a regular child, follow his Paradise Father's will, and complete his life as he had planned. He also suggested that Michael should end the Lucifer rebellion during his time as a human, something he had previously declined to do by using his divine power.

Immanuel suggested that Michael accept the title "Planetary Prince of Urantia" after his bestowal. He also advised Michael to judge the rebellion as a human, the lowest type of intelligent creature, rather than as a divine being. This would forever establish the justice of dealing with the rebels in this way.

After the main counsel, Immanuel gave Michael more specific advice for his life on earth. He advised Michael to help others in practical ways while living his ideal religious life. He also told Michael to follow the family customs of his time and place.

Immanuel advised Michael to focus on spiritual matters and avoid getting involved in politics or economics. He told Michael not to interfere with human evolution but to help advance the spiritual status of the world. Michael was advised not to start a new religion or leave writings that might lead to more religious divisions later.

After these events, Michael left Salvington to be born on earth as Jesus. This bestowal forever silenced those who had accused Michael of selfishly seeking power. As Jesus, he lived subject to the will of the Paradise Father, showing his willingness to serve rather than to rule.

Christ Michael was not a double person, but one being who was both God and man. He didn't gradually become God during his earth life – he was always both God and man. The main spiritual purpose of Michael's bestowal was to better reveal God to humans. The appearance of a divine Son by apparently natural human birth was considered a miracle – the operation of universal laws beyond normal understanding.