Question 28

What was the Third degree of Christ’s Exaltation?

His sitting at God’s right hand in Heaven.^a When he had by himself purged our sins, sate down on the right hand of the majesty on high.

What doth God’s right hand signify?

A State of Honour.^b But to which of the angels said he at any time, Sit on my right hand until I make thine enemies thy footstool? And Power.^c Hereafter shall ye see the son of man sitting on the right hand of power.

What is implied in Christ’s sitting there?

That his work on earth is finished.^d But this man after he had offered one sacrifice for sin, for ever sate down on the right hand of God.

What else doth it signify?

Christ’s power over all enemies.^e The Lord shall send the rod of thy strength out of Sion; rule thou in the midst of thine enemies.

What learn we from Christ’s sitting there?

The high honour Believers are advanced to by Christ.^f And hath raised us up together, and made us sit together in heavenly places in Christ Iesus.

What is the last step of Christ’s Exaltation?

His coming to Judgment.^g And he commanded us to preach unto the people, and to testify that it is he which was ordained of God, to be judge of quick and dead.

It is certain there shall be a Iudgment-day?

Yes, the Scripture assures it.^h For we must all appear before the judgment-seat of Christ. And every man’s conscience witnesses to it.ⁱ In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ, according to my Gospel.

What is the first property of Christ’s Iudgment?

It will be awful and solemn.^j For the Lord himself shall descend from heaven with a shout, with the voice of the Arch-angel, and with the Tr•mp of God, and the dead in Christ shall rise first.

What is the second Property of it?

It will be exact and critical.^k In the day when God shall judge the secrets of men by Iesus Christ, according to my Gospel.^l But I say unto you, That every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of Iudgment.

What is the third Property of it?

It will be an universal Judgment.^m And I saw the dead, small and great, stand before God, and the books were opened.

How is this a part of Christ’s Exaltation?

He now acts in the fulness of his Kingly Power.ⁿ Then shall the King say unto them on his right hand, Come ye blessed of my father, inherit the Kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. And this will rowl away the reproach of his enemies.^o Behold he cometh with clouds, and every eye shall see him, and they also which pierced him.

What learn we from Christ’s being Iudge?

That Believers shall not be cast in Judgment.^p There is therefore now no condemnation to them that are in Christ Iesus.

What learn we hence?

The deplorable State of Christless Persons.^q But those mine enemies that would not that I should reign over them, bring hither, and slay them before me.

What else learn we from Christ’s Iudgment?

To give all diligence to be found of him in peace.^r Wherefore beloved, seeing that ye lock for such things, be diligent, that ye may be sound of him in peace.