Westminster Larger Catechism # 56
Commentary by Dr. Chuck Baynard
Q56. How is Christ exalted in his coming again to judge the world?
Answer: Christ is exalted in his coming again to judge the world, in that he, who was
unjustly judged and condemned by wicked men, shall come again at the last day in great
power, and in full manifestation of his own glory, and of his Father’s, with all his
holy angels, with a shout, with the voice of the archangel, and with the trumpet of God,
to judge the world in righteousness.
References: Acts 3:14-15; Mt. 24:30; Luke 9:26; Mt. 25:31; 1 Thess. 4:16; Acts 17:31.
From an earthly perspective, and consideration of the human nature of Christ, perhaps
here is the ultimate exaltation. Fulfilling in a more visible way much biblical prophecy
concerning the stone the builders rejected becoming the corner stone (Ps. 118:22; Mt.
21:42; Acts 4:11; 1 Pet. 2:7). All of the synoptic Gospels have this reference to Christ
as becoming the head of the corner. In that Christ is the head of the church, and sits on
the right hand of the Father even now both providing propitiation and mediation for the
sins of man; whereas Christ has never laid aside His title as King and was, is, and shall
always be the King of Glory, as we have done in previous questions we could question His
exaltation altogether, especially in the "invisible" or spiritual realm where He
presently sits. This in no way diminishes this truth, but what man cannot see, touch, or
understand he either is indifferent towards, or ignores altogether. None will ignore or
not care at the appearance of the Lord in judgment. It shall be personal, visible, and in
the flesh so to speak.
The number of books written about this last day are enormous and every year it seems as
if the stack grows by several more feet. The truth is Scripture doesn’t provide the
fodder for all these works of man concerning the last day, or end times. Our Lord only
need one chapter in the Gospel account to tell of this last day. God provided direct
revelation to John in what became the last book of our canon to fill twenty-two chapters
in our present division of the text. None are very long and I would suppose as love
letters go, the length of the text for the book of Revelation is much shorter than letters
I wrote to my loved ones at home when I was involved in one of the conflicts of man, Viet
Nam.
I believe that prophecy can be seen as love letters from God to His chief creation.
While the care and tenderness is there in such letters, one does try to help the other
allay their fears, to provide comfort and hope the long awaited reunion to take place
(long being relative when the two parties are in love). At the same time, the one sending
the epistle attempts to provide enough details to accomplish the latter, while holding
back that which may cause further pain or fear. Such is prophecy. The dire warnings are
present, but always clothed in the hope for the future reunion, and renewal of the
relationship. Perhaps I read too much into this analogy because of my military experience
and having taken pen in hand so often to both warn my loved ones at home of dangers or
problems in life, and at the same time assure them I would return unharmed. In my case
that return was most often very much in doubt. With Christ it is there is no doubt, and
thus the letter all the more positive in its message.
Prophecy and the end times has caused much debate throughout history. I believe that
God gave us these love letters for three purposes. First, as time passes and those which
are now past events took place in the exact manner put forth by Scripture, Scripture
itself is vindicated and lifted up as the very word of God. Second, with this
"proof" of the validity of Scripture, the promises become a reality to the
elect, and a great comfort as they traverse this dark and evil realm of man on their way
home. Third, by the very nature of all prophecy, it appears to be unfolding for each
generation, having deliberately been set forth by God in this manner, so His word is
always before His people to bring comfort and hope. These three then combine to bring us
to the place we should all be, in prayer, watching and waiting for the sure return of our
master.
The arguments for differing positions as to the exact events and timing of this return
and the end of the world as we know it should not then occupy much of our time. Rather, we
should be about the work of the master, knowing He will surely return and the time may be
short for us to have completed the tasks He left us to do before His return. I believe
this was the attitude of the early church and even into the age of the reformation our
forefathers did not linger on prophecy. I note that John Calvin for example did not
comment on the book of Revelation. The creeds of the church state the simple fact that
Christ will return visibly, personally, in the flesh, and be seen by all people. The sure
return being essential, the details of no consequence.
The Divines here did not expand on the theme, and attempt to fill in missing parts in
the tradition of all the church before them. They present the sureness of the coming and
place it in line with the ways in which Christ has been exalted. The articulation at this
point is complete, with solid proof texts, yet concise and without undue speculation. How
much better off would be the church world in my opinion, if this was the position we all
took.
To me, this is the exaltation of our Lord. Not to put aside His resurrection, His
ascension, nor present position as King of the universe and head of the church; but here
it will be manifest in history, even as his humiliation was. In church discipline we
normally make discipline "public" when the offense has been public. That is,
when many know of the sin, the correction of the church of that sin should also be known
of by many. So it is with the second coming of Christ. Every eye shall see and every knee
will bow before Him. He who became the lowliest among men, having been exalted above all
creation, both visible and invisible as Lord of lords, and King of kings. At this point I
feel compelled to warn we should not take our eyes off the fact that though we await this
future manifestation of the triumph of Christ, what we await for is the manifestation of
this exaltation in history, for it is an accomplished fact, and our Lord even now rules
over His kingdom from heaven.
Space fails me in the present format, but I have need to explain a few things
concerning this coming judgment. First, all will be judged, according to their works. For
the elect this is not a time of fear and horror, awaiting the determination of the judge
if they can enter into the kingdom. We are in that kingdom, and citizens thereof by the
decree of God, through the shed blood of Jesus Christ. Even if our works have been
misdirected and of no use, while they will be burned away in the judgment, our place in
the kingdom will not (1 Cor. 3:12-15). God did not choose to reveal exactly what the
reward is that we have in heaven, but we may suffer loss of reward, but not our place in
the family. Likewise if our works have been of God, they will abide and we shall gain
reward. I would note that all that seems to man to be good works may not be such. Only
those works given to us by God are good. Prepared before hand for us to walk in. We each
need to be in prayer then, letting God lead us to that which He would have us do.
Emulating the "good" work of another will not do. God has prepared a good work
for us (Eph. 2:10). For the elect, this will be a time of rejoicing and reward.
There shall also be set up a great white throne where the non-elect stand, and the
judgment here has already been determined. All have been found guilty, and this is the
sentencing phase of the trial so to speak. From before this throne none will enter heaven.
One last thought in closing this question. Sin has an eternal consequence, but the
price is paid now; in heaven as grief to the Holy Trinity, on earth as human misery. Our
works will be made manifest, not deed by deed written into the book of life, but in which
place we stand, either of reward or eternal damnation. What has been covered by the blood
of the Lamb, cannot, will not be uncovered. What isn’t so covered, has never been
hidden and need not be made manifest, the resting place of the eternal soul declaring the
deeds. That stone rejected by the builders, having been made the head of the corner, the
full exaltation of Christ made manifest before man.
Can it be that from this one question and the proof texts given any cannot see the
fullness of the TULIP displayed? From this vantage point are there any who can deny the
doctrine of the eternal covenant of God with the Son? Sadly the answer is yes.
Nonetheless, let God be true, and the redeemed of the Lamb say so.
Dr. Chuck Baynard - May 1998
LC Index
Observer Home Page
1st EPC Home Page
