The DELETE command is used to delete one or more messages from the channel queue directories. The messages to be deleted are specified by their message identification numbers shown by the most recent DIRECTORY command. That number appears in the leftmost column of the DIRECTORY command listing. Ambiguous message numbers must be qualified by the proper channel name with the /CHANNEL qualifier. Note that the DELETE command irrevocably deletes each message it is instructed to delete: the messages are not returned to their originators nor will any further attempts to be made to deliver them to their recipients. The messages are permanently deleted. Often, it is preferable to use the RETURN command so as to return the message to its originator, (e.g., bounce it back to the sender).