Westminster Larger Catechism # 51
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q51. What was the estate of Christ’s exaltation?
Answer: The estate of Christ’s exaltation comprehendeth his resurrection,
ascension, sitting at the right hand of the Father, and his coming again to judge the
world.
References: 1 Cor. 15:4; Mark 16:19; Eph. 1:20; Acts 1:11, 17:31.
The word estate here used would perhaps be rendered economy in today’s English,
meaning the complete picture of the exaltation of Christ as contrasted to any single
event. Likewise, The word comprehendeth is all inclusive of those events past, present,
and future that can be considered to exalt Christ.
It seems out of place to speak of Him who is the perfection of exaltation to be
exalted. Yet, it could be just as awkward to speak of Christ sitting at the right hand of
God without some twisting of truth in separating the Trinity. Thus we have before us more
of the metaphysical that I am not at all sure it is possible for us to completely
comprehend. I have heard those who make a to-do about whether Christ stands or sits at the
right hand of God. I believe we are dealing with a truth here and thus fact, though how
God sits, stands or actually does any of the things were He has condescended to the use of
our language and terms having body parts will remain a mystery.
Rather than get tangled in the details here, which we must speak about from silence,
let us grasp the truth of the whole matter. Christ returned to the Father as He said He
would, with several fantastic promises to us in so doing. From this exalted position He
intercedes continuously for the saints. His resurrection and ascension being the proof to
us that God accepted His work and sacrifice for us, and thus with Christ as a first fruit,
we can be assured of our own resurrection on that great day of the Lord, when He will
personally, physically, and literally return for us, and stand in judgment of all.
These great truths from the Bible are essential to our faith. There are some things
that we can believe or not that are considered "indifferent," that is they
aren’t essential to our salvation in Christ, nor a measure of an orthodox belief.
None of these statements can fit into this indifferent category. The failure of any of
these points, and we stand as most vain, with no hope for the future resurrection, nor
being able to persevere now. Our help, strength, and hope would be as shattered as this
truth which it rests upon. We may differ in the fine detail of the how and when of these
events, but the truth herein must stand. For example, we cannot deny the return of Christ,
though there are three main divisions concerning the end times, and from these three come
many differing combinations concerning the details of that day. The detail involved has
never been a measure of orthodoxy, and since much of it is from "theory" I do
not think it should be different. Nonetheless, all must believe these events are true and
for those yet future, will come to be.
We will deal with each point in this question individually in the next few questions.
Let us then in this place consider the whole of the matter before us. "Henceforth
there is laid up for me a crown of righteousness, which the Lord, the righteous judge,
shall give me at that day: and not to me only, but unto all them also that love his
appearing." (2 Tim. 4:8) All of the statement of the Divines being truth, the same
being a necessity if we are of the Lord, how often do you begin your day with the prayer
for the Lord to let this be the day? We each should be constantly asking ourselves, are we
ready for this event? If the bus to heaven were leaving this moment, would I in joy and
rejoicing be clambering aboard?
Herein I believe is the reason biblical prophecy was written as it is. All the saints
of the first church expected the immediate return of the Lord, and by the word of our Lord
Himself, were to be in prayer, watching and waiting for this great event, ready to embrace
their Savior. Thus all prophecy seems to fit every age, and it is no great event to be
able point to contemporary events that "seem" to fit the words of Scripture
perfectly. The first church expected the immediate return of the Lord, and I see no reason
to attempt to change the expectation, and that much harm can be done to do so. Several of
the fore mentioned "millennium positions" attempt to reconcile the fact that the
first church expected the immediate return of Christ, and that the Bible seems to speak in
this manner, with the passage of hundreds of years now while the church still awaits this
great day of the Lord. No such reconciliation with historical events and the word of God
are needed in my opinion, but rather the constant readiness, expectation, and hope that
this is the day of the Lord. Any view which would bring one to believe that the Lord
cannot return this afternoon would lessen the spirit of watchfulness and prayer Scripture
commands. I believe we should then expect the immediate return of our Lord and be
fervently praying for His soon return. Despite our inclination to "dig" for the
details, and form opinions of how things must be (which activity isn’t wrong in and
of itself), the truth is: Christ arose from the grave, ascended into heaven, and will come
again to judge the world, perhaps this very day.
The last words of Scripture read thus: "He who testifies to these things says,
‘surely I am coming quickly.’ Amen. Even so, come, Lord Jesus! The grace of our
Lord Jesus Christ be with you all. Amen." (Rev. 22:20-21) May we then embrace this
statement as true, the very foundation of our faith, and along with the Apostle John,
pray, "even so, come, Lord Jesus!"
Dr. Chuck Baynard - April 1998
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