Q: Wherein consisteth Christ’s exaltation?
A: 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.
-Westminster Shorter Catechism #28
Holy Spirit, who prepares the softened heart, applies the benefits of Christ to his elect, and works faith in them according to the sovereign decree of the Father,
Your activity in history appears even to the eyes and mind you regenerate a mystery. In scattered redemptive acts you appeared long ago before the coming of Christ. I find only fragmented symmetry in them; a judge here and a prophet there as you saw fit in your eternal wisdom.
Since the time of revelation’s fullness till now your people are found in “these last days” (Hebrews 1:2). Your activity is constant, immanent and redemptive, attending the ministry of the preached word, sacraments and prayer, inviting those chosen in you to leave the world of darkness and enter your marvelous light. Yet, we do not receive again new revelation from you. We are not reassured after nearly 2,000 years of Christ’s final exaltation, his coming again to judge the world at the last day.
I confess to you, Spirit; perhaps it is you I have doubted most of all. That the Father once sent the Son and that the Son has come in the flesh I have believed and for it given thanks, though imperfectly. Yet do I doubt the finality of your word given so long ago. I allow the seemingly incessant rhythms of life to dull my ears to your true and sure word. You have made a good world, but you are recreating it better. “As long as the earth endures, seedtime and harvest, cold and heat, summer and winter, day and night will never cease,” yet the earth will not endure forever, at least not as it currently is (Genesis 8:22). “There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light” (Revelation 22:5). So often I have lived for temporal things–what I will eat and drink, how I will occupy my earthly days–over eternity.
Christ will come again. He will destroy every trace of sin forever. He will create a new world. The surety of this is in the testimony of Christ, the will of God revealed by the Father long ago, and, I confess, in the Spirit who searches the unfathomable depths of the Holy Trinity, reveals his word, and dwells in and with his people for all eternity. May I trust in you, Spirit, and be empowered by you in faith to apprehend the eternity of your word.
Doxology
To him shall prayer unceasing and daily vows ascend,
his kingdom still increasing, a kingdom without end.
The tide of time shall never his covenant remove;
his name shall stand forever; that name to us is love.
—Hail to the Lord’s Anointed by James Montgomery
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