Paper 53 Overview: The Lucifer Rebellion

Lucifer was a brilliant leader who rebelled against the universe government. He was one of three System Sovereigns in Nebadon who turned against the rule of Creator Son Michael. Lucifer's rebellion caused great problems in 37 worlds, including Urantia (earth).

The rebellion lasted for about 200,000 years until Michael's bestowal on earth finally ended its spread. Though the rebels continue to exist, they lost all power after Jesus completed his mission on earth. The case regarding their final punishment is still being handled by universe authorities.

Lucifer was a brilliant primary Lanonandek Son in the universe of Nebadon. He served in many systems and was known for his wisdom and effectiveness. From this great beginning, he chose evil and sin by rebelling against universe authority.

In the entire history of Nebadon, which has 10,000 systems of inhabited worlds, only three System Sovereigns have ever rebelled against Creator Son Michael's government. Lucifer was one of these three rebels who rejected their responsibilities and chose self-interest over service.

Lucifer was not an ascendant being but a created Son of the local universe. He was once perfect but later chose unrighteousness. He was the chief executive of a system with 607 inhabited worlds and stood very high in the universe leadership.

Satan was Lucifer's first lieutenant who carried his message to earth. Caligastia, the former Planetary Prince of earth, joined them in the rebellion. When Michael lived on earth as Jesus, these three rebels tried to ruin his mission but failed completely.

Lucifer and Satan had ruled on Jerusem (the system capital) for over 500,000 years when they began to turn against the Universal Father and Michael. There were no special conditions that caused the rebellion - the idea began in Lucifer's mind, and he likely would have rebelled no matter where he served.

For a long time, Lucifer kept his dissatisfaction secret while criticizing the universe government. His first open disloyalty came just before he made his "Declaration of Liberty." The rebellion began with pride that grew until Lucifer convinced himself he was doing good, but this became deliberate sin when he refused all offers of mercy.

The rebellion was officially announced in the "Lucifer Declaration of Liberty," which made three main claims. First, Lucifer said the Universal Father wasn't real and was just a myth created by the Paradise Sons to maintain control of the universes.

Second, he challenged Michael's right to rule Nebadon and called the Ancients of Days "foreign potentates" who had no right to interfere in local system affairs. Third, he attacked the plan for training ascending mortals, claiming it wasted time and energy preparing them for a fictional destiny. With this declaration, Lucifer launched his "orgy of darkness and death."

Lucifer announced his rebellion at the annual gathering on Jerusem about 200,000 years ago, earth time. He claimed that beings should worship universal forces but only give allegiance to him as the "friend of men and angels" and "God of liberty." Self-assertion became the battle cry of the rebellion.

Lucifer's entire administration joined the rebellion. He was allowed to fully establish his rebel government before Gabriel made any effort to counter it. The Constellation Fathers limited the rebels' influence to the Satania system, but those early years were a time of great trial and confusion for all beings in Satania.

After the rebellion started, Michael chose not to interfere, following the same policy he had used with earlier rebellions. At that time, Michael had not yet completed his bestowal career and hadn't received full authority over Nebadon. The rebels were allowed to continue for nearly 200,000 years.

This was not a physical battle as we might imagine on earth. Gabriel set up headquarters near Lucifer and continuously exposed the flaws in the rebel arguments. Beings who were unsure would travel between their discussions until they made a final decision. Though there was no physical fighting, this war was very real and the stakes involved eternal life.

Many beings performed noble acts of loyalty during the rebellion. One of the most inspiring was Manotia, the second in command of the Jerusem seraphim (angels). When the leader of the seraphim joined Lucifer, Manotia refused to participate in the rebellion.

Manotia took command of the loyal angels and was supported by the Melchizedeks and most of the Material Sons. Though a large group of angels rebelled, Manotia found great support from the ascending mortals on Jerusem. Later, Manotia was assigned to watch over earth and still serves there today.

The Lucifer rebellion affected the entire Satania system. Of all the Planetary Princes, only the one on Panoptia remained loyal with his entire world. A young woman named Ellanora led the humans in standing against Lucifer, and these loyal Panoptians now serve as caretakers of special worlds near Jerusem.

The rebellion isolated the system of Satania from normal universe communication. Many different types of beings joined the rebellion, including one-third of the administrator angels and 95% of the Material Sons in the system. The ascending mortals, however, stood firm in their loyalty, and not a single citizen of Jerusem was lost to the rebellion.

Lucifer and Satan freely moved throughout the Satania system until Michael completed his mission on earth. They came to earth together to attack the "Son of Man" (Jesus) but failed. After Jesus' death and resurrection, Satan's freedom was limited, and the rebellion was effectively ended in all Satania except the rebellious planets.

Jesus was confident in his victory, knowing it would permanently settle the status of his enemies. When Jesus told Satan, "Get behind me," that was essentially the real end of the rebellion. After his death, Jesus offered mercy to Caligastia, but the offer was rejected. Today, Caligastia has no power to enter human minds or corrupt them unless they truly want his evil presence.

Early in the rebellion, Michael offered forgiveness to any rebels who would sincerely repent. None of the leaders accepted, but thousands of lesser beings did and were rehabilitated after Jesus' resurrection. They now work on special worlds near Jerusem and await the final court decision.

Lucifer is now held prisoner on a satellite of Jerusem. The rebellion is completely over on Jerusem and is ending on fallen worlds as divine Sons arrive on them. Universe authorities are waiting for the final broadcast that will announce the destruction of the imprisoned rebels. Meanwhile, the prison worlds serve as a solemn warning to all Nebadon that "the way of the transgressor is hard."