Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, in ascending up into heaven, in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, and in coming to judge the world at the last day.
Proofs
- Christ’s exaltation consisteth in his rising again from the dead on the third day, (1 Corinthians 15:4)
- in ascending up into heaven, (Mark 16:19)
- in sitting at the right hand of God the Father, (Ephesians 1:20)
- and in coming to judge the world at the last day. (Acts 1:11, 17:31)
Additional Exposition
Section 1
Was Christ’s resurrection the first step to his exaltation?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He was buried and rose again, (1 Corinthians 15:4)
Was it foretold that Christ would rise?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thou wilt not suffer thy Holy One to see corruption, (Psalm 16:10)
Was it necessary that he should rise?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He loosed the pains of death, because it was not possible that he should be holden by it, (Acts 2:24)
Is it certain that he did rise?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He showed himself alive by many infallible proofs, (Acts 1:3)
Have we the testimony of Christ’s apostles for this?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whereof we are witnesses, (Acts 3:15)
And of his enemies?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Some of the watch showed unto the chief priests all things that were done, (Matthew 28:11)
And of the angels?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is not here, he is risen, (Matthew 28:6)
And of himself?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: I am he that liveth and was dead, and behold I am alive for evermore, (Revelation 1:18)
Was he seen after his resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: after that he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once, (1 Corinthians 15:5)
May it then be depended upon as matter of fact?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For in the mouth of two or three witnesses every word shall be established, (Matthew 18:16)
Section 2
Did Christ rise by his own power?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up again, (John 2:19)
And at the precise time?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: God raised him up on the third day, (Acts 10:40)
And with great majesty?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Behold the angel of the Lord descended from heaven and came and rolled back the stone from the door, (Matthew 28:2–3)
Did he rise with the same body in which he was crucified?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Behold my hands and my feet, (Luke 24:39)
Did he rise as a public person?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: As the first fruits of them that slept, (1 Corinthians 15:20)
And did he rise to die no more?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Death hath no more dominion over him, (Romans 6:9)
Section 3
Did Christ stay some time upon earth after his resurrection?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He was seen of them forty days, (Acts 1:3)
Did he improve this time for the instruction of his disciples?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He gave commandments unto the apostles whom he had chosen, (Acts 1:2)
And after that was he received up into heaven?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He ascended far up above all heavens, (Ephesians 4:10)
Did he ascend for the good of the church?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: That he might fill all things, (Ephesians 4:10)
And for his own glory?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Ought not Christ to have suffered these things, and to enter into his glory? (Luke 24:26)
Section 4
Did Christ ascend in public view?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Whilst they beheld he was taken up, (Acts 1:19)
And in a cloud?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: A cloud received him out of their sight, (Acts 1:9)
Did he ascend with great pomp?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He was attended with the chariots of God, even thousands of angels, (Psalm 68:17)
Did he depart with a blessing in his mouth?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: It came to pass while he blessed them he was parted from them, (Luke 24:51)
And did he meet with a welcome whither he went?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He came to the Ancient of Days, and they brought him near before him, (Daniel 7:13)
Section 5
Doth Christ sit at the right hand of God?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He is set on the right hand of the throne of the Majesty in the heavens, (Hebrews 8:1)
And hath he a right to sit there?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the Lord said unto him, Sit thou at my right hand, (Exodus 1)
Doth Christ’s sitting at God’s right hand denote the completion of his work?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: When he had once offered one sacrifice for sins, he sat down on the right hand of God, (Hebrews 10:12)
Does it imply dignity and honour?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: To which of the angels said he at any time, Sit thou on my right hand? (Hebrews 1:13)
And authority and power?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He sits at the right hand of power, (Matthew 26:64)
And safety and security?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Thy right hand shall save me, (Psalm 138:7)
And joy and satisfaction?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For at God’s right hand are pleasures for evermore, (Psalm 16:11)
Doth it also imply the continuance of this his state?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he shall reign over the house of Jacob for ever, (Luke 1:33)
Should this be a motive to us to have our hearts in heaven?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Seek those things which are above, where Christ sitteth at the right hand of God, (Colossians 3:1)
Section 6
Will Christ come again?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: The same Jesus, who is now taken up from you into heaven, shall so come, (Acts 1:11)
Will he come quickly?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Yet a little while and he who shall come will come and will not tarry, (Hebrews 10:37)
Will he come suddenly?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For the day of the Lord cometh as a thief in the night, (1 Thessalonians 5:2)
Will he come publicly?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Every eye shall see him, (Revelation 1:7)
Will his coming be glorious and magnificent?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: ’Tis the glorious appearance of the great God and our Saviour Jesus Christ, (Titus 2:13)
Should the saints then long for and desire his coming?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: Looking for and hasting to the day of the Lord, (2 Peter 3:12)
Section 7
Will Christ come as a judge?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He shall judge the quick and the dead at his appearing, (2 Timothy 4:1)
Is he an able and understanding judge?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He shall not judge after the sight of the eyes, (Isaiah 11:3)
Is he a righteous and impartial judge?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He loveth righteousness and hateth wickedness, (Psalm 14:7)
Will he be to the wicked a terrible judge?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He will come in flaming fire, taking vengeance on them that know not God, (2 Thessalonians 1:8)
Will he be a peremptory and inflexible judge?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: He will not alter the thing that is gone out of his lips, (Psalm 89:34)
Is the time of judgment known?
Answer: No.
Proof: Of that day and hour knoweth no man, (Mark 13:32)
But is it fixed and determined?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For God hath appointed a day in which he will judge the world in righteousness by the man whom he hath ordained, (Acts 17:31)
Will that be a joyous day to the saints?
Answer: Yes.
Proof: For he will then be glorified in his saints, and admired by all them that believe, (2 Thessalonians 1:10)