In a profound teaching, Jesus responds to his disciples' question about when rest will come to the dead and when the new world will arrive. His answer reveals a deep spiritual truth: "This rest that you wait for has already come, and you have not recognized it." This teaching emphasizes that the concept of rest and the new world are not bound to physical death but are accessible in a spiritual sense.
The rest Jesus refers to is not about physical death but about liberation from sin and the old life. To understand this, one must recognize that spiritual rest comes from dying to one's old self and sins. This concept is central to the Christian understanding of salvation and spiritual rebirth. According to this perspective, a person enters into rest and experiences the new world by undergoing a spiritual transformation. This transformation involves dying to sins and embracing a new life through rebirth by the Spirit and the Word.
Pauline epistles, such as Romans and Colossians, articulate this idea with clarity. In Romans 6:2-11 and Colossians 2:20, Paul describes how believers are baptized into Christ’s death, symbolizing a death to sin and a new life in Christ. This process is described as a moral and spiritual resurrection. The “New Man” emerges when one perceives and accepts "the truth as it is in Jesus." This is not merely a theoretical understanding but an experiential reality where one is transformed by the truth and becomes spiritually alive.
This spiritual resurrection, or moral regeneration, must precede the physical resurrection at the end of time. If a person does not experience this moral rebirth in their lifetime, they will not partake in the future resurrection of the body. Thus, spiritual regeneration is a prerequisite for the future physical resurrection.
Furthermore, the notion of being "dead to the law" as discussed in Romans 7:4 and Galatians 2:19 underscores the transformative power of faith. The law represents a form of bondage that believers are freed from through their union with Christ. This freedom is not merely a legalistic shift but a profound change in one’s moral and spiritual state.
The process of moral conception and quickening described in Ephesians 2:1-5 highlights the distinction between mere intellectual knowledge of divine truths and a genuine spiritual transformation. An unquickened sinner is merely a theorist, someone who speculates about divine matters without being morally affected. In contrast, a quickened believer has undergone a profound inner transformation, becoming a new creation with a purified heart, guided by love and truth.
The Gospel of Philip further illuminates this idea by suggesting that a Gentile, or someone outside the covenant of faith, has not truly lived to die in a spiritual sense. On the other hand, one who believes in the truth and embraces it experiences true life and is thus in a state of danger of dying because they are spiritually alive. This paradox underscores the deep spiritual reality where true life is found in embracing and living the truth.
In summary, the teachings of Jesus and the writings of Paul and other early Christian texts emphasize that spiritual rest and the new world are experienced through a profound transformation in this life. This involves dying to sin, being baptized into Christ’s death, and living a new life empowered by the Spirit. Understanding and accepting this truth brings one into a state of spiritual rest and readiness for the future resurrection.
In Thomas Saying 51, the disciples ask Jesus about the timing of the rest for the dead and the arrival of the new world. Jesus replies, "This rest that you wait for has already come, and you have not recognized it." This response shifts the focus from a future event to a present reality.
Here, the "rest" refers to the spiritual rest and peace found in Christ, as described in 2 Corinthians 12:9 and Matthew 11:28-30. Jesus' teaching, which is gentle and not burdensome, offers this rest as opposed to the heavy yoke of the law. This concept is supported by Thomas Saying 90, which emphasizes the ease and relief found in Jesus’ teachings compared to the rigid demands of the law.
The "new world" Jesus mentions is identified with the age of grace inaugurated by His ministry. From the time Jesus began preaching the good news until the future arrival of the kingdom on earth, this period represents the new world. However, this new world will evolve into a new heaven and a new earth when the kingdom fully manifests. This future transformation will be succeeded by the final age, beyond the millennium, ushering in the "ages of the ages" with no end.
Pauline epistles support this transformation. Romans 6:2, 6:7, 6:11, and 6:13 discuss being dead to sin and alive in Christ, while Ephesians 2:1 and 2:5 highlight spiritual resurrection and new life. Colossians 2:13 and 1 Peter 2:24 talk about being made alive through Christ’s work. These passages collectively illustrate that spiritual rebirth and newness of life are current realities for believers.
Thomas Saying 51 can be understood as follows: When the disciples inquire about when spiritual repose and the new earth will come, Jesus reveals that these are not distant future events but present realities. The "repose of the dead" refers to finding rest from sin through spiritual rebirth, which has already been made available through Jesus. The "new earth" symbolizes the inner kingdom of God, which is already present within believers and not subject to external observation.
Jesus’ statement implies that the transformative power and new world He brings are already here for those who can recognize and receive it. Unfortunately, many fail to see this truth because the true understanding has been obscured by those who distort or hide the key elements of this knowledge. Thus, the rest and the new world are available now, but recognizing and embracing them requires a shift in perception and understanding.
In Thomas Saying 51, Jesus teaches that the rest and the new world are not distant future events but present realities that many fail to recognize. This profound truth is echoed and supported by various biblical passages, which explore the themes of spiritual rest, transformation, and new life.
Jesus’ statement that "This rest that you wait for has already come" reflects the reality of spiritual rest and renewal available through Him. This concept is aligned with several key scriptures:
**Psalm 141:7** and **Proverbs 3:35** illustrate the idea of wisdom and righteousness leading to a state of spiritual rest. Psalm 141:7 speaks of the soul finding its rest in the Lord, while Proverbs 3:35 highlights that wisdom brings honor and a form of spiritual prosperity.
**John 14:19** supports Jesus’ promise of spiritual renewal, stating, "Because I live, you also will live." This promise emphasizes that through Christ's resurrection and ongoing presence, believers can experience a new life and rest.
Paul’s epistles provide a comprehensive explanation of this spiritual transformation. **Romans 6:3-6** details how baptism into Christ’s death leads to a new life, symbolizing a transition from old to new, from death to life. This passage underscores that spiritual resurrection is a present reality for believers.
In **Romans 8:4,11,17,18**, Paul elaborates on the implications of this new life. Romans 8:4 states that believers walk according to the Spirit, not the flesh, highlighting a shift from old ways to a new spiritual existence. Romans 8:11 speaks of the Spirit who raised Jesus from the dead dwelling in believers, promising life and resurrection. Romans 8:17 and 18 further affirm that suffering now is temporary compared to the future glory that awaits, reinforcing the idea of a present transformation leading to future reward.
**1 Corinthians 15:31** reinforces this transformative journey, where Paul speaks of dying daily to self and sin, implying a continual process of spiritual renewal.
**2 Corinthians 1:5,9** and **2 Corinthians 2:15-16** reflect the sufficiency of Christ’s comfort and the victorious fragrance of Christ that believers embody. These passages highlight how Christ's presence and work lead to a state of spiritual strength and transformation.
**2 Corinthians 4:10,11** and **5:15** describe the believer's life as being continually transformed through suffering and sacrifice, in the likeness of Christ’s death and resurrection. These experiences contribute to the believer’s new life and spiritual growth.
**Colossians 1:24** and **2:12,13,20** emphasize the believer’s participation in Christ’s sufferings and the transformative power of being buried and raised with Him through baptism. These verses underscore that the new world, or spiritual renewal, is a present reality.
**Colossians 3:1-4,10** speaks directly to the transformation that occurs when believers are raised with Christ. It calls for seeking things above and living a renewed life in Christ, emphasizing the present aspect of this new reality.
**Galatians 2:20** and **5:24** describe the believer’s identification with Christ’s death and resurrection. By being crucified with Christ, believers experience a new identity and freedom from sin, manifesting the new world within.
**Ephesians 2:1-6** provides a vivid depiction of the believer’s transition from death in sin to life in Christ. Ephesians 4:10 elaborates on Christ's ascension and the resultant spiritual transformation for believers.
Finally, **2 Timothy 2:11** and **1 Peter 4:13** reflect on the believer’s experience of resurrection and transformation through suffering and participation in Christ's sufferings. These passages affirm that the new world and rest are realized in the present spiritual experience, awaiting ultimate fulfillment in the future.
In summary, Thomas Saying 51 and these accompanying biblical passages collectively convey that the spiritual rest and new world Jesus speaks of are not future hopes but present realities. Through Christ’s work, believers are invited to experience this transformation now, embodying the new life and kingdom within. Understanding this truth requires recognizing the spiritual dimensions of Christ's promises and living in the light of this profound reality.
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